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Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:
Define, govern and lead adidas’ global product labeling strategy for Apparel, Accessories & Gear (A&G) and Footwear. Ensure that all legal, regulatory and mandatory labeling requirements are consistently met for adidas brands, collaborations, partnerships and global licensees.
Drive the development and integration of product labeling content, data and technical solutions ensuring seamless alignment with adidas’ product creation, sourcing and distribution models. By embedding labeling compliance into systems, processes and execution, protect adidas from regulatory risk while enabling speed, scalability and brand consistency.
Key Responsibilities:
- Ensure consistent interpretation and implementation of global product labeling requirements related to Branding, Trademarks, Legal Compliance, Sustainability, Customs, Product Safety and Consumer Protection.
- Govern mandatory labeling requirements and where possible standardize solutions.
- Oversee and continuously improve the global legal labeling requirements repository, ensuring accuracy, traceability and effective execution on product labels.
- Partner closely with Global, Regional and Local Legal Teams to ensure label content complies with applicable national, regional and international regulations.
- Monitor legislative developments and assess their impact on adidas products and labeling processes. Support regulatory positioning and lobbying activities in collaboration with Global Government & Community Affairs.
- Lead the global development, sourcing and cost governance of product labels and marketing hangtags for Apparel, A&G and Footwear across all adidas brands.
- Define end‑to‑end label content data requirements and partner with Product Ownership teams within Global Brand Creation & Sourcing Solutions to embed these requirements into product creation systems.
- Ensure labeling and content requirements are scalable, system‑enabled and aligned with digital product creation and global supply chain execution.
- Ensure all product labeling‑related processes, standards and procedures are clearly documented, maintained and communicated.
- Establish and maintain strong working relationships with Global Brand Teams, ensuring alignment between branding intent and regulatory requirements.
- Act as the global point of coordination across Legal, Product Development, Sourcing, Customs, Sustainability, IT and Markets on product labeling‑related topics.
- Translate complex legal and regulatory requirements into clear, actionable guidance for non‑legal stakeholders.
- Build, develop and lead a high‑performing global team by fostering a motivational and inclusive environment focused on coaching, continuous learning and career development.
- Allocate projects and workstreams based on experience, complexity, capacity and strategic priority to ensure optimal delivery and organizational efficiency.
- Continuously monitor workload, performance and effectiveness using data, systems and team feedback, and adjust structures and priorities as business needs evolve.
- Set clear objectives and performance targets for direct reports, ensuring alignment with business priorities and strategic goals.
Key Relationships:
- Global, Regional and National Legal Teams
- Global Government & Community Affairs
- Global Brands - Brand-Creation-Sourcing Solutions
- Global Customs Team
- Product Development and Sourcing
- Market SCM Teams
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ability to interpret and apply product labeling regulations, customs legislation, import requirements and consumer protection laws across multiple jurisdictions.
- Proven capability to operate effectively in a complex, matrixed and fast‑moving global environment, balancing competing priorities and deadlines.
- Strong business judgment with well‑developed analytical, critical thinking and decision‑making skills.
- Demonstrated senior leadership capability with a high level of accountability, resilience and results orientation.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage credibly with stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership.
- Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:
- University degree in Law, Regulatory Affairs, Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Product Management, Business Administration or a related discipline; advanced degree or relevant professional certifications are a strong advantage.
- 5+ years of progressive experience in product compliance, regulatory affairs, product labeling, customs/trade compliance, or adjacent functions within a global manufacturing or branded consumer goods environment.
- Proven leadership experience in a matrixed, international organization, including responsibility for guiding teams, setting strategic direction and influencing senior stakeholders.
- Extensive, up‑to‑date knowledge of customs, trade and product compliance legislation, ideally within a global consumer goods environment.
- Experience working with digital product creation or master data systems is a strong 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.