Senior Manager Athlete Servicing

Location

Herzogenaurach | Germany

Job description

PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANISATION

Expert for Athlete Servicing with deep knowledge in the defined category to lead Pro Athlete Insights and Testing and to implement Feedback into the Product Creation Process to constantly improve the adidas inline products as well as to ensure the latest products activated on field/on-court according to product roll-out plans.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

People

• Proactively contribute to establish a cross category learning within the Athlete Servicing team
• Contributes significantly to the achievement of department and/or project targets

Service

• Plan and manage product related athlete visits/ brand induction activities at the HQ in close cooperation with Sports Marketing & BU
• Travel to meet athletes. Open & transparent communication with all involved adidas entities is required
• Discuss and negotiate any product related issues the athlete/coaches/medical staff may be experiencing and steer dialogue to develop smart solutions.
• Support adidas athletes prior to major sports events (i.e. Olympic Games, World Championships, Grand Slams, …) and ensure they have the best possible product to perform.
• Collaborate closely with Sports Marketing to conceptualize and install a support function during major sports events for the respective category (i.e. Athlete Servicing Event unit, Quick reaction setup, training camp visits, …)
• Intensify authentic relationship to adidas athletes in order to implement new processes re. gathering honest and relevant product feedback from athletes and their professional (coaches) and medical environment (Doctors, Physios, Athletic Trainers)

Product

• Broad and deep knowledge in product creation process to generate Pro Athlete Product Insights and to create custom footwear and apparel for all contracted athletes according to their individual needs
• Expert in specifying the needs and requirements of the athlete for product customization (performance, fit & comfort, and rehabilitation) in close coop. with AS Operations team
• Educate and train external partners on adidas products to improve their quality of feedback and create an understanding for adidas technologies
• Gain general product feedback on competitor activities & product on Pro Level

Process

• Steer the Integration of Pro Athlete Insights into the INNOVATION and Inline Creation Process for the area of responsibility (Concept stages, … Briefing Input, Planning, Design Review, Pro Athlete Testing, Customization, launch support). Close cooperation with BU,
• Development, ACT and Design in terms of support and expert knowledge.
• Strategic Lead of respective professional athletes’ product testing: Make sure validated feedback is an implemented part of the adidas inline product creation process in order to constantly improve adidas inline products.
• Plan upcoming seasons and new product roll-outs with all involved entities (Sports Marketing, BU, AS OPS)
• Cooperate closely with BU on footwear and apparel to develop and test all respective inline products with elite athletes
• Document and evaluate gained knowledge and forward to the BU for future learnings. Act as a resource to provide validated feedback on our products during the relevant sample stages.
• Proactively support AS OPERATIONS by providing information required for seasonal Planning and Forecasting
• Plan and manage the operational business including the maintenance of athletes’ data and feedback
• Support Supervisor in driving projects, creating advanced presentations and/or trainings

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Work closely with all category partners and contracted athletes
• Collaborate and communicate with external parties (contracted athletes, athlete management, coaches, medical staff) to positively influence the perception of adidas products in the respective category
• Respective Business Units (Marketing, Design, Development, Sports Marketing)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Passion for sports in general and in depth knowledge of the responsible categories
• Deep Sport specific knowledge in athletic training
• Knowledge in anatomy and biomechanics (e.g. functional assessment and profiling; sport-specific movements, wear pattern and injuries; treatment specification)
• Very detailed Product Creation knowledge (e.g. Materials, Components, Modifications, Technologies, Assembly)
• Excellent communication skills required
• Experience in project management
• Strong problem solving & result oriented skills
• IT (MS office – advanced; knowledge of CAD and data analysis is a plus)
• Excellent English skills (additional language is a plus)
• Manage Business (Project & Processes)
• Provide a framework for Performance
• Relationship management and ability to influence others
• Ability to work individually, with a high degree of flexibility

REQUISITE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Min 6 years of relevant job experience
• College degree or equivalent: Engineering science (e.g. Sports research engineer, Sports Science,…) or Medical degree (e.g. Sports medicine, Pedorthist, Rehabilitation Science, …)
• Equivalent University Education(e.g. orthopedic engineering, …)

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Salary