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

PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANISATION

Lead the cross-functional Innovation apparel incubation team and all apparel innovative initiatives across adidas Innovation. Responsible for driving the development of groundbreaking apparel products from conceptualization to products being worn by our top athletes during the world’s biggest moments in sport, driving industry trends and delivering against performance enhancing athlete opportunities.

The Senior Director’s key role is to orchestrate cross-functional teams to ensure the successful execution of innovation apparel projects that align with our innovation mission and vision, brand direction and business objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the strategic planning and execution of innovative apparel initiatives, including product ideation, research, development, and launch.
• Stay on top of emerging trends, technologies, and materials in the apparel industry, and integrate relevant advancements into product development strategies.
• Close cooperation with all Innovation and partner functions, including Business Units Key Stakeholders to drive strategy, concepts and projects for sport categories and horizontal initiatives.
• Foster a culture of innovation within the apparel incubation team encouraging creativity, risk‑taking, and continuous improvement among team members.
• Orchestrate collaboration between design, Development, engineering, science, and manufacturing teams to ensure shared goals, alignment, and seamless execution of innovative projects.
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with external vendors, research institutions, and industry experts to enhance innovation capabilities and access new opportunities.
• Oversee the management of budgets, timelines, and resources for apparel innovation projects, ensuring efficient use of resources and timely delivery of results.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and guidance to a team of cross‑functional professionals, fostering their professional growth and development.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Innovation Teams incl. Innovation SLT
• Creative Direction
• Business Units incl. Key Stakeholders
• Sports Marketing, Athlete Servicing and adidas athletes

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Practical experience in the field of textile manufacturing/engineering, including management experience with focus on apparel innovation.
• Comprehensive knowledge in product manufacturing with a clear understanding of the athletics market and its culture.
• Proven track record of success in leading apparel innovation initiatives, with at least 5 years of experience in a senior leadership role within the apparel industry.
• Extensive knowledge of apparel design, materials, manufacturing processes, and industry trends.
• Experience in integrating sustainable practices into apparel product development.
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate cross‑functional teams.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate market insights and consumer preferences into innovative product concepts.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, budgets, and timelines effectively.
• Collaborative mindset with a passion for driving collaboration and fostering a culture of innovation within the organization.

REQUISITE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design, Textile Engineering, Fashion Merchandising, or a related field; advanced degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in the apparel industry.
• At least 5 years experience of leading teams.

adidas celebrates diversity, supports inclusiveness and encourages individual expression in our workplace. We do not tolerate the harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees. We are an equal opportunity employer.