Senior Director Innovation Apparel - CD&I (m/f/d)

Lead the cross-functional apparel innovation incubation team at adidas Innovation to bring groundbreaking apparel concepts to life, from ideation to wear by elite athletes. You will steer strategy, partnerships, budgets, and execution to drive industry-leading products that align with our innovation mission and brand objectives. You will shape problems, opportunities, and impact areas that advance performance-enhancing apparel. Join a culture that champions creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Lead strategic planning and execution of innovative apparel initiatives, from ideation to launch
• Monitor emerging trends, technologies, and materials and integrate them into development strategies
• Collaborate with Innovation teams, Business Units, and Key Stakeholders to drive sport-category projects and horizontal initiatives
• Foster a culture of innovation and empower team members through mentorship and risk-taking
• Coordinate design, development, engineering, science, and manufacturing for aligned project delivery
• Establish strategic partnerships with external vendors, research institutions, and industry experts
• Oversee budgets, timelines, and resource management to ensure timely results
• Provide leadership and development opportunities to cross-functional professionals

• Practical experience in textile manufacturing/engineering with emphasis on apparel innovation
• Comprehensive knowledge of product manufacturing and athletics market culture
• Minimum 5 years in a senior leadership role within the apparel industry
• Extensive knowledge of apparel design, materials, manufacturing processes, and trends
• Experience integrating sustainable practices into product development
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills to inspire cross-functional teams
• Strategic thinking to translate market insights into innovative concepts
• Proven ability to manage complex projects, budgets, and timelines
• Collaborative mindset and passion for fostering innovation

• leadership
• communication
• strategic thinking
• textile manufacturing/engineering expertise
• materials and manufacturing processes knowledge
• sustainability in product development