Manager Category- Football Apparel Licensed- Europe (m/f/d)

adidas; Herzogenaurach; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Adidas is seeking a senior Category Manager for Football Apparel Licensed in Europe to own the seasonal range strategy, lead range and forecast decisions, and collaborate with global, European, and local teams to drive growth.

You will bring deep category experience, translate data into actionable plans, and manage launches, pricing, and market opportunities across markets. This role requires strong leadership and travel flexibility.

Qualifications

• University degree or equivalent professional qualification.
• Minimum four years of relevant experience in category management, merchandising, ranging, Go-to-Market, product marketing and/or sales.

Responsibilities

• Own the seasonal range strategy and selection for Football Apparel Licensed in Europe and lead decisions on range, forecast and pricing.
• Act as the key European category interface for Clubs and Federations across global, European and local teams.
• Drive product availability and launch readiness, identify opportunities and risks early, and coordinate execution with Product, Demand Planning, Sports Marketing, markets and channels.
• Provide fact-based input to Global Product and Go-to-Market to reflect consumer, market and channel needs in seasonal decisions.
• Analyze category performance, competition and market potential, develop clear recommendations and contribute to net sales, margins and brand KPIs.
• Ensure operational excellence, data quality and reliable execution across seasonal processes, systems, approvals and stakeholder communication.
• Support key product launches, sell-ins and presentations with compelling category narratives and data.
• Coach and develop junior team members and contribute to a high-performing, collaborative team environment.

Skills

Category management

Merchandising

Ranging

Go-to-Market

Product marketing

Sales

Analytical thinking

Communication

Influencing

Collaboration

Education

University degree or equivalent qualification

Job description

Adidas is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from people of all ages, genders (incl. gender identity), ethnic and social backgrounds, nationalities, sexual orientations, religions and beliefs, and those with apparent or non-apparent disabilities*. We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees.

• We actively encourage individuals with disabilities to apply and will provide reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

Purpose & Overall Relevance For The Organization

• Helps shape the future of Football Apparel Licensed in Europe and takes ownership of one of adidas' most visible and emotionally engaging categories.
• Translates global strategies into relevant, commercially successful plans for European consumers, markets and channels.
• Acts as the key category interface for European Clubs and Federations, connecting product, brand and business from range creation through launch.
• Brings market, consumer and channel insights into global decision-making and partners closely with Product, Go-to-Market, Sports Marketing, Demand Planning and Sales to drive sustainable growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the seasonal range strategy and selection for Football Apparel Licensed in Europe and lead the relevant decisions on range, forecast and pricing.
• Act as the key European category interface for Clubs and Federations, creating clear alignment and decision-making across global, European and local teams.
• Drive product availability and launch readiness, identify opportunities and risks early, and coordinate execution with Product, Demand Planning, Sports Marketing, markets and channels.
• Provide fact-based commercial input to Global Product and Go-to-Market, ensuring consumer, market and channel needs are reflected in seasonal decisions.
• Analyse category performance, competition and market potential, develop clear recommendations and contribute to net sales, margin and brand KPIs.
• Ensure operational excellence, data quality and reliable execution across relevant seasonal processes, systems, approvals and stakeholder communication.
• Support key product launches, sell-ins and presentations with compelling category narratives, robust data and clear recommendations.
• Coach and develop junior team members and contribute to a high-performing, accountable and collaborative team environment.

Key Relationships

• Global BU Product and Go-to-Market
• Europe BU Leadership and Category teams
• Club and Federation stakeholders, Sports Marketing
• MOPS, Europe Demand Planning and Supply Chain Management
• DTC Buying, Wholesale, Franchise and market Go-to-Market teams
• Europe Brand Communications, Sales Development, Finance and Analytics

KPIs

• Net Sales
• Go in Margin
• (Standard) Margin
• Brand KPI's

Category Market share - top 5 markets

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Passion for football, products and consumers, with a strong interest in driving brand and business impact.
• Strong commercial mindset and the ability to translate data and insights into clear recommendations and sound decisions.
• Experience in category management, merchandising, ranging, Go-to-Market or a comparable commercial product environment.
• High ownership, learning agility and motivation to lead visible topics independently and drive them through to completion.
• Strong analytical and structured approach, with a high standard of quality and execution.
• Compelling communication and influencing skills, with a collaborative approach across cross-functional, local and global teams.
• Ability to navigate a dynamic environment, diverse perspectives and multiple priorities with confidence.
• Fluent in English; an additional European language is an advantage.
• Flexibility to travel internationally.

Requisite Education And Experience / Minimum Qualifications

• University degree or equivalent professional qualification.
• Minimum four years of relevant experience in category management, merchandising, ranging, Go-to-Market, product marketing and/or sales.
• Experience working across multiple markets, channels and cross-functional stakeholders; experience in football, licensed products, sport or fashion/lifestyle is an 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.