Technical Project Manager PFRP CELLFIL - temp until 31.08.28

Global Sports Jobs Limited; Herzogenaurach; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

adidas is seeking a proactive project lead to manage a publicly funded research project focused on developing a sustainable material for performance products. You will work within the General Management & Business Development domain, collaborating with internal teams and European supply chain partners to deliver market-leading concepts and products.

The role requires a university degree, 3 years of experience, and fluent English.

Qualifications

• Fluent English (verbal and written).
• Curiosity for science and engineering with ability to transfer insights.
• Self-motivated with an entrepreneurial mindset.

Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for the project ensuring strategic fit with brand needs.
• Guide and manage technical workstreams and prototype development.
• Manage product testing against adidas standards and industry benchmarks.
• Coordinate with internal partners and external stakeholders across Europe.
• Prepare results-based reports and communicate status to stakeholders and leadership.

Skills

Fluent English

Entrepreneurial mindset

Communication & negotiation

Education

University degree in a relevant field

Job description

About the Role

The adidas INNOVATION team is looking for a highly motivated and skilled individual to manage the execution of key tasks in a publicly funded research project (PFRP) focused on developing a new sustainable material for applications in performance products. The role sits within General Management & Business Development and involves working closely with both internal and external partners, including multiple supply chain partners from across Europe. The successful candidate will represent, manage and execute key adidas tasks in the project while ensuring that reporting requirements and the collaboration impact ethos are maintained. Project outcomes will be leveraged to deliver market-leading concepts, components, products and processes that add value to consumers and athletes and improve brand competitiveness through product and technology leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for the project, ensuring strategic fit with brand needs and maximising the impact of the project for adidas.
• Guide and manage technical workstreams and prototype development.
• Manage product testing against adidas standards and industry benchmarks.
• Stay updated on related current and emerging industry research, technologies, methods and trends, and develop a robust information network to access valuable insights.
• Manage internal partners with a specific focus on material testing and product development, ensuring that adidas effectively leverages external stakeholders.
• Support consortium partners in specific workstreams in gathering data for consumer studies, lifecycle assessments (LCA) and technoeconomic analysis (TEA).
• Prepare and maintain results-based reports and documentation, and regularly communicate status and updates to stakeholders and leadership within adidas and the project consortium, including both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Educate and train colleagues by sharing knowledge and disseminating project results on an ongoing basis.
• Create and maintain the project plan and budgets to ensure effective implementation of tasks and compliance with the contractual obligations of public funding.
• Consider the legal implications of innovative concepts, working with the legal team to protect product, technology, innovation, process and design.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• University degree in a relevant field.
• 3 years of working experience.
• Fluent English (verbal and written).
• Curiosity for science and engineering, along with a passion for transferring insights in the field of sport.
• Development expertise for apparel and/or footwear, taking into account technical project outcomes.
• Self-motivated with an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Ability to communicate and negotiate effectively.
• Ability to collaborate well and to develop and maintain relationships with companies, universities and government representatives.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Ability to plan working time efficiently, balancing short-term tasks with long-term goals.
• Strong analytical skills, solution-driven and results-oriented.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of bio-based materials, man-made cellulose fibre processes and renewable feedstocks.
• Previous work in publicly funded projects.

About the Company

adidas believes that embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into its culture and talent processes gives its employees a sense of belonging and its brand a real competitive advantage.