adidas is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from people of all ages, genders (incl. gender identity), ethnic and social backgrounds, nationalities, sexual orientations, religions and beliefs, and those with apparent or non-apparent disabilities*. We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees.
*We actively encourage individuals with disabilities to apply and will provide reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.
PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANISATION
Create, operate and continuously elevate world‑class services for elite athletes within Multisport categories (Handball, Cycling, Winter Sports) through comprehensive athlete assessments, product engineering and end‑to‑end product creation for customized products - ensuring our contracted partners can perform at the highest level.
Incorporate elite athletes’ testing and feedback into the inline product creation process and innovative concepts to support the development of world-leading performance products.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
People
- Drive cross-category learning and best practice sharing within the Athlete Product Excellence team
- Contribute to and influence the achievement of department and project targets
Service
- Plan and lead athlete visits and brand induction activities at HQ and on the road, in close collaboration with Sports Marketing and Business Units
- Build and maintain strong relationships with athletes through regular engagement, ensuring transparent communication across all relevant adidas stakeholders
- Own and resolve product-related issues with athletes, coaches and medical teams, driving effective and timely solutions
- Support adidas athletes at major sporting events (e.g. Olympic Games, World Championships, Grand Slams), ensuring optimal product readiness and performance
- Collaborate with Sports Marketing to define and implement athlete support concepts at events (e.g. event units, quick reaction setups, training camp visits)
- Build trusted and authentic relationships with athletes and their ecosystems to enable continuous, high-quality product feedback
Product
- Leverage deep expertise in the product creation process to generate actionable Pro Athlete Insights and enable tailored product solutions
- Translate athlete needs into clear product requirements (performance, fit, comfort, rehabilitation) in close collaboration with APEX Operations
- Create and deliver custom footwear and apparel solutions for contracted athletes aligned with individual performance needs
- Educate and train external partners on adidas products and technologies to improve feedback quality
- Monitor and assess competitor products and activities at elite performance level
Process
- Lead the integration of Pro Athlete Insights into the innovation and inline product creation process (concept stages, briefing input, planning, design review, testing, customization and launch support)
- Own the strategic direction of elite athlete product testing, ensuring validated feedback is embedded into product creation
- Collaborate closely with Business Unit cross-functional teams (Product Marketing, Development, Design, Testing) to drive product excellence
- Plan upcoming seasons and product roll-outs in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders
- Translate athlete insights into actionable recommendations for Business Units and future product development
- Document, evaluate and share learnings to continuously improve product performance and decision-making
- Support APEX Operations with seasonal planning and forecasting inputs
- Manage operational aspects including athlete data, feedback tracking and process execution
- Support Director APEX Olympics in driving strategic projects, presentations and training initiatives
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
- Contracted athletes and their ecosystem (management, coaches, medical staff)
- Sports Marketing
- Business Unit (Product Marketing, Development, Design, Testing)
- APEX Operations
- Cross-functional and external partners to strengthen product feedback and athlete servicing
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Strong passion for sport with deep knowledge of Handball, Cycling or Winter Sports
- Deep sport-specific knowledge in athletic training
- Strong understanding of anatomy and biomechanics (functional assessment, movement patterns, injuries, treatment implications)
- Extensive knowledge of the product creation process (materials, components, technologies, modifications and assembly)
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence without direct authority
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; proficiency in additional languages is a plus
- Strong problem-solving skills with a results-oriented mindset
- Proven project management experience across complex, cross-functional topics
- Highly self-driven with the ability to work independently in a dynamic, international environment
- Willingness to travel internationally (up to 50%)
- Advanced IT skills (MS Office); knowledge of CAD and data analysis is a plus
- Ability to define and implement effective ways of working and performance frameworks
REQUISITE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum 6 years of relevant professional experience
- University degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Sports Science, Medical or related fields (e.g. Sports Engineering, Sports Medicine, Pedorthics, Rehabilitation Science)
- Equivalent qualifications (e.g. orthopedic engineering) or relevant practical and product expertise
- Experience working with high level athletes is an advantage
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.