Senior Technical Manager - Creation Technologies - adidas

Senior Technical Manager - Creation Technologies

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organisation:

In the sample room, it is critical that we stay ahead of the curve when it comes to technology and equipment that allows us to provide more making capabilities to our design and development teams.

This role contributes to adidas's mission to be the best sports company in the world by managing the creation needs of physical prototypes and technical components to the exact design specifications as required by the development and design team. In this role, you will manage a team of technicians and oversee the creation processes of modeling, 3D printing, molding, casting, and knit creation to ensure that we are supporting our design and development teams and, most importantly, our makers in the sample room to provide them with what’s needed to deliver projects.

In addition, it will be very important to drive innovation by keeping up with new creation technology/opportunities and identifying the best technological equipment that we can incorporate into the sample room to strengthen our capabilities. It will also be very important to communicate clearly to leadership and translate innovation lingo.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Supervise and manage a team of technicians to ensure they are meeting all project asks and requirements.
2. Partner with the Senior Manager of Footwear and Apparel Creation to achieve the goals set by design and development.
3. Proactively communicate on an ongoing basis with the sample room management team to ensure smooth development processes.
4. Research new technologies and materials and communicate to the director on new potential development options.
5. Provide technical information in collaboration with the sample room, design, and development, and guide them to the best process or prototype for their needs.
6. Work closely with the senior manager, your technicians, and cross-functional partners to analyze designs for manufacturability, production efficiencies, potential functional or quality issues, and costing issues, and offer alternative, economic, and efficient solutions.
7. Supervise the maintenance of all related tools, equipment, and supplies: i.e., machine software, casting equipment, modeling tools.
8. Offer technical solutions to the product team taking into consideration functional requirements of products, adidas quality standards, target costs, and manufacturing constraints.
9. Increase the speed and efficiency of processes by eliminating non-value adding steps and follow the “Right the First Time” principle.
10. Continuously increase your knowledge regarding the latest technological trends in CAD systems, knitting, and manufacturing/processes.
11. Bring new ideas to the team to optimize or initiate new prototyping techniques and services.
12. Collaborate with other adidas creation centers and internal departments.
13. Lead project-related innovative technical solution finding using the department's technical and expert abilities in alignment with the Sample Room, design, and development.
14. Enable efficient processes within your team.
15. Manage all related health and safety requirements within your team and regularly train, assess risks, and keep safe the work, personal environment, and personal protection.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Strong communication skills (written and verbal) and facilitation (small and large groups).
2. Ability to create, plan, and effectively deliver presentations in formal and informal settings.
3. Ability to manage and motivate a team.
4. Ability to anticipate problems and develop solutions through resolution.
5. Ability to cope with change, make decisions, and act comfortably with risk and uncertainty.
6. In-depth knowledge of technical 3D creation processes (Additive Manufacturing, 3D printing, Knit, others).
7. Ability to identify design issues and offer solutions to improve functionality and manufacturability of the product.
8. Ability to work independently under a deadline on several projects simultaneously with minimal input.
9. Ability to work in a shop environment and be comfortable working with industrial machinery.
10. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
11. Knowledge about the shoe-making process.
12. English skills, German beneficial.
13. MS Office and other state-of-the-art communication or documentation skills.
14. Ability to manage, set up, and hold technical meetings with customers.
15. Ability to manage material sourcing, order machinery service orders, quote inquiries, facilities requirement alignments, and installation of any kind through in-house specialists.

Requisite Education and Experience / Qualifications:

1. Four-year college or university degree with emphasis on clothing technology and/or manufacturing.
2. Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience.
3. Strong people manager; minimum of 3 years.
4. Technical vocational training with a focus on rapid prototyping, mold making, or specialized workmanship.
5. Facility operations understanding preferred.
6. Project management experience preferred.

adidas requires all US-based employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved accommodation. Proof of vaccination is required. adidas is an equal opportunity employer and will consider requests for accommodation in accordance with all relevant laws.

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