Category Director Apparel Accessories Action Sports adidas Portland

Job Description: • 2-minute read •
Purpose

Recognize sport, culture and consumer insights

Heavily influence category direction and drive its implementation

Reduce strategies to tactical plans

Steer a cross-functional product creation team to deliver the category vision

Lead and develop the category team

Key Responsibilities

Manage a team and develop their functional and social skills using available resources to create a top performing team

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Set and manage strategic category direction; ensure cross-functional alignment Identify new business opportunities to drive innovation and / or commerciality Develop an "all for one attitude" within the team to ensure smooth cooperation with interlinked departments Have full understanding of the product creation process to drive it forward Be a role model for all team members in regards to strategic direction and the product creation process Show leadership through living the brand values while fostering a performance culture Manage and develop optimum relationship with cross-functional teams and with interlinked departments to enable an efficient product creation process Challenge the cross-functional team to ensure creation of industry leading products Analyse and report category business performance to ensure achievement of category KPIs Positively represent the category both internally and externally Work with the CtC (Concept to Consumer), Brand Marketing and Sports Marketing teams throughout the season to define strategic marketing direction Be a competent partner for category and ranging discussions with markets and retailers Define projects to optimize category performance and steer to conclusion Build an understanding of product information systems and the interlinking functions – clarity on respective timelines
Key Relationships

Steer a strong relationship and ensure constant dialogue/feedback with
Your category across all functions, other categories and creation centers (if appl.) Cross-functional team (Design, Development, CtC, Materials, Costing, Planning) Markets and relevant key retailers
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Manage a team to create industry leading products Inspire, coach and lead; set framework for performance and growth In-depth knowledge of respective product category Advanced analytical skills, be solution driven and result oriented, strong business orientation Ability to thrive in a fast paced environment Strong communication skills Lateral thinking and challenge status quo Profound consumer, market and retail knowledge especially in regards to different needs of different countries/ regions Step up to conflicts and work towards a diplomatic solution Execute change management Cooperate effectively to maintain and develop trustful relationships Ability to travel Passion for skateboarding and culture: art, music, and entertainment
Qualifications

College degree, preferably in marketing/business /textile/fashion Minimum of 7 years Product Marketing experience with APP, FTW , ACC or comparable background First experience in managing and developing direct reports Strong leadership skills Experience in trade or sales is helpful Fluent in English PC skills (MS Office programs)

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