Senior Manager, Materials Scouting

Purpose: Lead material scouting & adopting initiatives across Asia. Drive validation of new material concepts, managing pilot programs. Bridging materials capability gaps cross region, while effectively balancing opportunities and risks to align with the strategic objectives of the Material Sourcing team. Key Responsibilities: Lead material technology scouting initiatives to identify and validate innovative technology concepts that significantly enhance product development capabilities. Strengthen material scouting capabilities in assigned region across the industry, enhancing the potential of multi-sourcing flexibility and resilience supply chain. Lead the validation of new material concepts and generate advanced material technologies through research and implementation, ensuring alignment with current market trends and evolving consumer demands. Drive material scouting pilot programs at selected Tier 2/3/4 suppliers, facilitating effective testing and scaling of new material concepts to ensure successful integration into production processes. Drive strategic benchmarking of industry standards to pinpoint key areas for improvement, while analysing existing products and market trends to inform high-level decisions regarding material sourcing and development. Lead cross-functional initiatives and drive assigned projects as necessary to ensure alignment and successful execution of brand strategic objectives. Maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including material suppliers, industry partners, and internal counterparts, to foster material development collaboration. Ensure all sourcing operations and practices fully comply with adidas’ Responsible Sourcing & Purchasing Policy, adidas standards and legal requirements, while managing the relevant processes internally and externally. Key Relationships: HQ material teams T2/3/4 suppliers Material planning Material operations Material innovation scaling Sustainability Manufacturing Innovation Knowledge, Transferrable Skills and Abilities : Apparel/ materials industry expertise Strong project management, problem solving knowledge and skills Strong communication, problem solving and presentation skills Strong ability to network and collaborate with multiple stakeholders Fluent in English both written and spoken Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree, preferred study of Textile Engineering, or other material related field 7+ years of apparel materials development related experience and/or an equivalent combination education and experience