Director Global Continuous Improvement

adidas; Herzogenaurach; On-site; EUR 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

adidas is seeking a Director Global Continuous Improvement to lead strategy, governance, and deployment of CI across its global distribution network, including owned and outsourced operations. You will drive operational excellence through Lean and Six Sigma, standardized ways of working, performance management, and sustainable transformation initiatives.

You will partner with Operations, Engineering, Finance and regional SCM teams to identify opportunities, scale best practices, and build CI

Qualifications

• Lean/Six Sigma expertise with Black Belt or equivalent certification.
• Minimum 6+ years in leadership and managing remote teams.
• Minimum 4+ years applying Lean and continuous improvement concepts.
• Strong DC processes experience; DC lead for at least 5 years.
• Solid knowledge of warehouse management systems (WMS) and labor management.

Responsibilities

• Own the Global Continuous Improvement strategy across adidas' DC network.
• Drive Lean/Six Sigma deployment, standardized ways of working, and governance.
• Coach operations leadership to adopt the Performance Ecosystem and monitor adoption.
• Define annual efficiency targets and site improvement plans.
• Develop training programs and governance for CI across distribution operations.
• Lead cross-regional Lean community and develop ambassadors.

Skills

Lean Management

Six Sigma

Leadership

Performance Metrics

Strategic Thinking

Project Management

Communication Skills

Facilitation

Travel

Education

Four-year degree in Supply Chain Management

Tools

WMS

Job description

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

As Director Global Continuous Improvement, you will lead the strategy, governance, and deployment of Continuous Improvement across adidas’ global distribution network, covering both owned and outsourced operations.

The role is responsible for driving operational excellence through Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, standardized ways of working, performance management, capability building, and sustainable transformation initiatives across all distribution centers. This includes ownership of Continuous Improvement standards, tools, training, certification programs, and governance models to ensure consistent deployment across the network.

You will lead the global Continuous Improvement community, fostering collaboration,

knowledge sharing, and capability development while driving Kaizen culture and structured problem-solving practices to improve productivity, quality, service, and operational stability.

You will partner closely with Operations, Engineering, Finance, and regional SCM teams to identify improvement opportunities and scale best practices across the network.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own the adidas Performance Ecosystem framework
• Continuously improve our Performance Ecosystem global toolbox and the DC maturity assessment tool; drive regular assessments of all our DC’s
• Support/ coach our ops leadership to adopt the Performance Ecosystem; set up efficient monitoring to ensure it is adopted and sustained
• Influence/ coach SCM and distribution leadership to embrace performance and continuous improvement culture; vulgarize Lean to drive high acceptance among operators community
• Together with operations and finance, define annual efficiency targets and site improvement plans
• Work with market teams to drive continuous improvement roadmap in our own DC’s or with 3PL’s partners Certified Community & Best Practices
• Establish and nurture cross-regional community of Lean/ Continuous
• Skill up community of Lean Ambassadors; leverage them to deploy improvement culture on the floor and operations
• Develop and deploy certified Continuous Improvement and operational excellence training programs across the distribution network; establish the capability and governance model to train, coach, and develop operational teams and leadership communities across all distribution operations.
• Own productivity metrics globally; work with finance and operation to continuously increase consistency and comparability of our productivity metrics
• Identify large pockets of efficiency; conduct assessment and drive process redesign on-site with operations
• Engage with industry experts, think tanks, suppliers etc. to discover new ways of embedding operations excellence in our operations; develop joint innovation roadmaps
• Act as a strategic advisor for distribution network initiatives and transformation projects, ensuring Lean and Continuous Improvement principles are embedded into solution design, operational processes, and implementation phases

People Management

• Build the appropriate structure to be able to manage the respective organization effectively, identify and develop the future talents and create realistic succession scenarios for key positions
• Ensure appropriate leadership skills are present at every level by creating a motivational and supportive work environment in which employees are coached, trained and provided with career opportunities through development
• Provide team members/direct reports with clear direction and targets that are aligned with business needs and SCM objectives

Key Relationships

• Regional SCM Heads
• SCM global and market-based teams
• Local DC Operations Management
• Finance/Controlling
• 3PL providers
• Project Management
• Procurement
• External consultants (as needed)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Good knowledge of warehouse operations
• Lean/Six Sigma expertise – Require Black Belt or equivalent certification
• Knowledge of operational performance management, Lean, Continuous Improvement principles
• Proven experience leading operational transformation and Continuous Improvement programs at regional or global scale
• Recognized leader
• Ability to provide a clear framework for performance to direct reports
• Pro-active (engaging & impact-oriented) mindset, ability to think end-to-end with a global mindset
• Ability to think strategically, synthesize complex data and develop innovative solutions
• Ability to be self-directed while working under tight deadlines
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with different international cultures
• Strong communication, facilitation and presentation skills to all levels of the organization
• Demonstrated project management skills
• Strong communication (both written and verbal) and facilitation skills (small and large groups), especially when interacting with different levels of business
• Ability to travel, domestic or international, as required
• Fluent English (verbal and written)

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications

• Four-year college or university degree with focus on Supply Chain Management
• Minimum 6+ year experience in leadership and managing remote teams
• Minimum 4+ year experience in applying Lean, continuous improvement concepts
• Strong experience with Distribution Center processes; ideally acted as a DC lead for minimum 5 years
• Sound understanding of warehouse management (WMS) and labor management systems