Manager Development Footwear

POSITION OVERVIEW

At adidas, we never launch a product unless we consider it perfect. Every shoe is created with passion and precision, designed to serve athletes and style communities with performance and purpose.

As Manager Development Footwear, you will lead the end to end development process for assigned medium complexity products from concept brief to production readiness. You will translate design intent into technically sound, manufacturable footwear that meets performance, quality, and cost expectations.

Working in strong partnership with footwear technicians, material experts, product management, design, and suppliers, you will ensure seamless execution across multiple calendars and development milestones. Your decisions directly impact product integrity, speed to market, and commercial success.

This role requires strong technical expertise, business acumen, and collaborative leadership. You will drive innovation, manage complexity, and ensure that every product is engineered to meet adidas standards and consumer expectations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

End to End Development Ownership: Own the entire development management process for assigned articles with full accountability for product integrity, engineering excellence, and timely completion of all tasks across multiple calendars.

Performance Engineering: Apply sport specific knowledge, biomechanics insight, and technical expertise to enhance product performance and functionality.

Supplier Partnership and Innovation: Partner with suppliers to develop new construction methods and manufacturing processes that elevate performance footwear and drive innovation.

Technical Problem Solving: Provide technical solutions by analyzing designs for manufacturability, production feasibility, and material properties while balancing function, aesthetics, and market appeal.

Cost Management: Engineer products in accordance with cost targets, secure initial FOB cost quotes, and manage follow up price adjustments to protect margin objectives.

Quality Assurance: Ensure all materials, processes, prototypes, and development samples are fully tested and meet adidas quality standards prior to commercialization.

Data Accuracy and Systems Management: Maintain accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of product data by continuously updating relevant systems throughout the development lifecycle.

KPI Accountability: Deliver against defined KPIs including margin targets, sustainability goals, and on time sample milestone delivery for assigned products.

Knowledge Sharing and Mentorship: Foster a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing while mentoring junior team members to build organizational capability.

Cross Functional Support: Contribute to cross functional initiatives and research new technologies and materials in partnership with Design and Marketing to drive positive business impact.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

* University degree in manufacturing, engineering, biomechanics, sports science, business, or technical degree as a footwear technician, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

* Minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in footwear product development.

* Strong knowledge of the footwear creation process from concept brief to shelf including last, pattern, construction, tooling, and testing.

* Understanding of sport specific movement and biomechanics principles.

* Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously according to business priorities.

* Experience working with new technologies and innovation initiatives.

* Strong business acumen and cost awareness.

* Strong written and verbal communication skills.

* English language proficiency.

* Willingness to travel for business approximately three times per year for 7 to 10 days.

* Continuous learning mindset with demonstrated growth orientation.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

* Experience collaborating with global suppliers and factory partners.

* Exposure to sustainability initiatives within footwear product development.

* Experience working within cross functional global teams.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This role follows a hybrid work model requiring in office attendance Monday through Thursday, with flexibility to work remotely on Fridays based on business needs.

The working location of this position is Los Angeles, California. In office attendance may be required on Fridays when collaboration or presentations require in person engagement.

The working language is English. Occasional domestic and international business travel is required.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

This position operates within the Footwear Product Development organization.

The role collaborates closely with Product Management, Design, Advanced Creation Testing and Quality, Sourcing, Planning, Costing, Digital Creation, Color and Materials, Pattern, Tooling, and factory partners.

There are no direct reports specified for this position.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary Range: $108,000 to $125,000 annually.

Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, skills, competencies, and demonstrated proficiency in the role.

This position is eligible for an annual performance bonus based on company and individual results.

* Comprehensive medical coverage including HSA with employer funding or FSA options, dental, vision, and prescription plans.

* Adoption, surrogate, and fertility support programs.

* Short and long term disability coverage.

* Basic life and AD and D insurance with supplemental employee paid options.

* 401(k) plan and Stock Purchase Plan with employer match.

* Education assistance for eligible full time employees.

* 12 weeks of paid parental leave and generous leave policies.

* Flexible time off accrued at 0.4388 hours per day, increasing with tenure.

* Twelve paid holidays plus milestone Service Time Off.

* Employee product discounts and access to wellness programs.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at adidas means championing individual uniqueness and cultivating a culture of belonging in which everyone can create at their best.

We embrace diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives and seek to build a workforce that reflects the consumers and communities we serve.

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or veteran status.