Director Footwear Development

adidas
Carlsbad, CA
Purpose

Manage the complete footwear product creation process and lead a team of product developers for BU Golf. Actively input and implement into the BU Golf SBP and ensure deadlines, costing KPI, Quality Standards and GTM plans are met. Acts as an advocate for the product integrity by working closely with cross functional creation teams as well as all related support services

Key Responsibilities

  • Support the Head of Development and cross functional partners within Creation Center and Markets to develop and implement the SBP.
  • Ability to translate consumer preferences and Golf requirements into technical footwear constructions and innovations.
  • Ensure achievement of goals and objectives (shared KPIs) set by the BU through partnership Marketing and Design.
  • Support the material development and costing related aspects within the functional teams to ensure BU objectives are met.
  • Establish and maintain strong working relationships with Business Units, Product Marketing, Design, Materials Development and Supply Planning, Quality, Costing and Sourcing organization, managing designated projects to ensure an on-time color way activation performance
  • Identify new business opportunities and drive key product and/or process innovations. Provide input to short, mid and long term planning and budgeting to support the BU SBP.
  • Ensure continuous product, process and manufacturing improvement with emphasis on leading and Right First Time development of products in accordance with seasonal calendar.
  • Work with Advance Concepts and support research into new technologies, materials and communicate to Design and Marketing new potential development options.
  • Be responsible for Buy Ready performance through strong communication with T1, QA, Sourcing and Product Marketing.
  • Support and guide developers in the team in all aspects of footwear development.
  • Provide team with clear direction, projects and targets that are aligned with business needs and GOPS objectives.
  • Create an inclusive motivational and supportive work environment in which employees are challenged, coached, trained and provided with performance feedback and career opportunities.
  • Take ownership for the entire development process for assigned product and/or projects with an emphasis on quality product development and timely completion of all tasks in accordance with the applied seasonal calendar.
  • Through positive leadership, manage workload and organizational efficiency with support of the performance management team.
  • Manage your budget to yearly targets set – propose opportunities and manage risk when needed.

Key Relationships

  • Product Marketing
  • Design
  • Advance concepts
  • Tier 1 supply partners
  • Tier 2 supply partners
  • Material Development
  • Costing
  • Sourcing
  • Fit and Wear Test Department
  • Quality Assurance
  • Supply Chain management
  • Customs

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

  • Ability to coach, guide, manage and develop a team.
  • Strong communication (both written and verbal) and facilitation (small and large Groups) skills.
  • Ability to think strategically, identify and define problems, develop innovative solutions.
  • An end-to-end Global mindset.
  • Ability to Manage through change, make decisions and act comfortably with risk and uncertainty.
  • Ability to provide a clear framework for performance to direct reports.
  • Ability to coach, guide, manage and develop a team
  • Good understanding of a sourcing allocation impact on product from a quality and cost perspective.
  • Fluent in English (written and spoken)
  • Strong IT skills (MS office, PDM, CAD)
  • Travel, domestic and international as required business needs

Requisite Education And Experience / Minimum Qualifications

  • Four-year college or university degree with focus on footwear technology and/or manufacturing / comparable work experience.
  • Technical training in footwear engineering and product development, knowledge about sourcing.
  • Minimum of 7 years of work experience in the athletic footwear industry, specializing in product development, design and/or marketing.
  • 3-5 years of experience managing a team.
  • Exposure to the latest in materials, components, processes, and concepts.
  • 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.
  • adidas offers robust and progressive medical, including HSA (Health Savings Account) with employer funding or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) options, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, adoption, with surrogate and fertility support, short and long-term disability, and basic life and AD&D insurance, which can be supplemented with employee-paid coverage. Employees are able to enroll in adidas’ 401k plan and Stock Purchase Plan with employer match. Full-time employees are eligible for education assistance and generous Leave policies including 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
  • Employees are eligible to earn an annual bonus based on both company and personal performance. Employees accrue prorated flexible time off in the amount .4388 hours per day that increases with years of service, twelve paid holidays throughout the calendar year and Service Time Off during milestone years.
  • The anticipated low and high end of the base pay range for this position is $148,000 - $190,000. Actual salary will be based on various factors, such as a candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills and competencies, proficiency for the role.
  • At adidas we offer a Hybrid work policy which requires attendance in the office Monday through Thursday, with the flexibility to work remotely on Friday each week. For work requiring a high degree of collaboration or an in-person presentation, in-office attendance is required even on Friday. The working location of this position is Carlsbad, California.
  • Though our teammates hail from all corners of the world, our working language is English.

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.
Posted 2025-11-15

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