Director Global Continuous Improvement

About the Role

The Director Global Continuous Improvement leads the strategy, governance and deployment of Continuous Improvement across adidas' global distribution network, covering both owned and outsourced operations. The role drives operational excellence through Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, standardised ways of working, performance management, capability building and sustainable transformation initiatives across all distribution centres. It leads the global Continuous Improvement community and partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Finance and regional SCM teams to identify improvement opportunities and scale best practices across the network. The position sits within the Supply Chain & Sourcing organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy, governance and deployment of Continuous Improvement across adidas' global distribution network, covering both owned and outsourced operations.
• Own the adidas Performance Ecosystem framework and continuously improve the global toolbox and the DC maturity assessment tool, driving regular assessments of all distribution centres.
• Coach operations, SCM and distribution leadership to adopt the Performance Ecosystem and embrace a performance and continuous improvement culture, setting up efficient monitoring to ensure adoption is sustained and making Lean accessible to the operator community.
• Define annual efficiency targets and site improvement plans together with operations and finance.
• Work with market teams to drive the continuous improvement roadmap in owned distribution centres and with 3PL partners.
• Establish and nurture a cross-regional community of Lean and Continuous Improvement experts, and skill up a community of Lean Ambassadors to deploy improvement culture on the floor and in operations.
• Develop and deploy certified Continuous Improvement and operational excellence training programmes across the distribution network, establishing the capability and governance model to train, coach and develop operational teams and leadership communities.
• Own productivity metrics globally and work with finance and operations to continuously increase their consistency and comparability.
• Identify large pockets of efficiency, conduct assessments and drive process redesign on-site with operations.
• Engage with industry experts, think tanks and suppliers to discover new ways of embedding operational excellence, developing joint innovation roadmaps.
• Act as a strategic advisor for distribution network initiatives and transformation projects, ensuring Lean and Continuous Improvement principles are embedded into solution design, operational processes and implementation phases.
• Build the appropriate structure to manage the organisation effectively, identify and develop future talent and create realistic succession scenarios for key positions.
• Ensure appropriate leadership skills are present at every level by creating a motivational and supportive work environment in which employees are coached, trained and given career development opportunities
• And by providing direct reports with clear direction and targets aligned with business needs and SCM objectives.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Four-year college or university degree with a focus on Supply Chain Management.
• Minimum 6+ years' experience in leadership and managing remote teams.
• Minimum 4+ years' experience in applying Lean and continuous improvement concepts.
• Strong experience with Distribution Centre processes.
• Sound understanding of warehouse management (WMS) and labour management systems.
• Good knowledge of warehouse operations.
• Lean/Six Sigma expertise, with Black Belt or equivalent certification required.
• Knowledge of operational performance management, Lean and Continuous Improvement principles.
• Proven experience leading operational transformation and Continuous Improvement programmes at regional or global scale.
• Recognised leader.
• Ability to provide a clear framework for performance to direct reports.
• Pro‑active, engaging and impact-oriented mindset with the ability to think end‑to‑end with a global mindset.
• Ability to think strategically, synthesise complex data and develop innovative solutions.
• Ability to be self‑directed while working under tight deadlines.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment with different international cultures.

Preferred Skills

• Ideally has acted as a DC lead for a minimum of 5 years.

The Application Process

adidas actively encourages individuals with disabilities to apply and will provide reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

About the Company

The company states that embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into its culture and talent processes gives its employees a sense of belonging and its brand a real competitive advantage, and that recruiting and developing people who reflect the diversity of its consumers and communities fosters a culture of inclusion.