About this role
<p><strong>PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANISATION:<br></strong>In alignment with the global brand creative vision, this role creates and drives footwear product expression for adidas Sportswear, with a focus on Japan marketplace. Working with agility to respond to market trends and consumer insights, the role collaborates closely with cross-functional Product Creation teams to deliver relevant and innovative product concepts, lead the design of local footwear creation projects, and drive market-specific initiatives for adidas Sportswear.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:</strong></p> <p>· Develop Footwear concepts and creative strategies that fulfil ambitious objectives of category net sales</p> <p>· Work collaboratively within the cross-category design team to create holistic, connected concepts.</p> <p>· Collaborate closely with Product Marketing to translate strategies into impactful creative concepts and projects that contribute to overall brand success.</p> <p>· Partner with Development counterparts to innovate and continuously improve product solutions.</p> <p>· Lead the execution of creative strategies, ensuring end-to-end creative excellence.</p> <p>· Deliver clear, best-in-class designs and creative solutions for key projects, demonstrating</p> <p>leadership and setting a high standard of design excellence.</p> <p>· Stay deeply informed on consumer cultural trends, fashion, sport culture, and industry</p> <p>insights across relevant categories and disciplines to maximize commercial impact through Design.</p> <p>· Maximize results within given resources and timelines, applying agility and strong problem-solving skills to drive efficiency and impact.</p> <p>· Role-model adidas values and actively shape a collaborative, creative, and inclusive team culture.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>KEY RELATIONSHIPS:</strong></p> <p>· Design Directors</p> <p>· Product Marketing</p> <p>· Costing, Materials and Product Development</p> <p>· Global/Local Key Accounts</p> <p>· Global/Local GTM and Market Teams (BU)</p> <p>· External Agencies & Creative Resources</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:</strong></p> <p>· Strong visual and verbal communication skills, with the ability to create impactful, inspiring, design visuals.</p> <p>· Deep product design knowledge with credible expertise in footwear design, materials, construction, and industry trends.</p> <p>· High proficiency in design and creation tools, including Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft applications, AI-enabled design tools, and 3D software.</p> <p>· Language skills: English (fluent required); Japanese (fluent required)</p> <p>· Ability to travel internationally as needed to support projects, partnerships, and collaboration.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>REQUISITE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: </strong></p> <p>· Under-graduate level Design education</p> <p>· Strong foundation and advanced experience in creative development, including the creation of communication tools, visual storytelling, and design presentations.</p> <p>· At least 8 years’ experience in Sporting Goods/Fashion Industry Design on managerial level</p> <p>· Proven experience with the entire design process (project scope and time planning, design steps, production/execution of design solution, pre-press processes)</p> <p>· Passion for adidas and its mission</p> <p>· Passion for sports, culture, design</p>