Manager Inbound Planning (Temp 12 months)
Key Skills
Job Description
Partnering with adidas Supply Chain functions and Distribution Centers (DCs) to create On-Time Availability and enable On-Time, In-Full delivery to Wholesale and Direct-to-Consumer channels. The role is responsible for managing and optimizing the flow of goods from ports across Europe to the European Distribution Center network. In addition, this role acts as the Business Process Manager (BPM) for Inbound Planning capabilities within Europe SCM, driving business process management, governance and continuous improvement across the end-to-end inbound transportation and planning landscape. The role owns process design, process standards, business requirements, system adoption and process performance, ensuring alignment between business operations and adidas' inbound and S/4 transformation roadmap. The position ensures planning processes are scalable, efficient and aligned with strategic priorities, while enabling operational excellence, service level achievement and cost optimization. Key Responsibilities Lead, coach, develop and inspire a team of specialists Set clear objectives and priorities while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement Drive employee engagement, talent development, succession planning and capability building within the team Ensure the team possesses the necessary planning, analytical and process management capabilities to support business objectives Secure cross-functional collaboration with key stakeholders to proactively manage supply and inbound transportation challenges Develop and maintain reporting tools and performance dashboards to support operational decision-making and achievement of business targets Represent Inbound Planning in cross-functional projects, network initiatives and strategic SCM programs (including S/4) Own and continuously improve key inbound planning and transportation planning processes across Europe SCM Define, document, standardize and govern business processes, operating procedures and planning standards to ensure consistency across teams and stakeholders Establish process performance management routines, including KPI monitoring, root-cause analysis and corrective action tracking Identify opportunities for process simplification, automation and digitalization through collaboration with Technology, Analytics and SCM Excellence teams Facilitate continuous improvement initiatives using structured problem-solving methodologies and operational excellence principles Act as the subject matter expert for inbound planning processes and support change management activities Drive process compliance and ensure adherence to defined governance frameworks, operating models and service level agreements Translate strategic business requirements into scalable process solutions that improve service, efficiency and cost performance Key Relationships Europe SCM Functions (Product Supply, Orderbook Management, Distribution Planning, Customer Fulfillment, Reporting & Analytics) DC Operations and DC Leadership Teams Global Logistics and Transportation Management Inbound Planning and Network Planning Teams Tech and Advanced Analytics Finance and Performance Management Functions Omnichannel Operations (Retail and eCommerce) External Logistics Service Providers and Transportation Partners Knowledge Skills And Abilities Strong knowledge of supply chain processes and end-to-end flow of goods from source to customer Proven business process management and process improvement capabilities Strong operational planning and project management skills Ability to establish process governance, standards and performance management frameworks Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills with strong reporting and data interpretation capabilities Ability to identify process inefficiencies and drive sustainable solutions Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional leadership capabilities Ability to lead, coach and motivate teams in a dynamic and changing environment Effective communication and influencing skills across all organizational levels Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines Cost-conscious mindset combined with customer and service orientation Requisite Education And Experience / Minimum Qualifications University degree or equivalent qualification, preferably in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Logistics or Operations Management Minimum 5 years of experience within Supply Chain Management, Transportation, Logistics or Operations Demonstrated experience leading process improvement, transformation or operational excellence initiatives Strong knowledge of ERP systems (SAP preferred), planning systems and reporting tools Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and Power BI Experience working in cross-functional and international environments. Fluent in English, both written and spoken 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.
Core Responsibilities
Lead and develop the inbound planning team while managing and optimizing the flow of goods from European ports to distribution centers. Own and improve inbound planning processes, standards, governance, and performance, and represent the function in cross-functional initiatives, including the S/4 transformation.
Requirements
Requires a university degree or equivalent, preferably in supply chain, business, logistics, or operations, and at least five years of relevant experience. Candidates should have process improvement or transformation experience, strong supply chain and planning knowledge, ERP and reporting-tool proficiency, advanced Excel and Power BI skills, and fluency in English.
About adidas
Industry: Sporting Goods
Company size: 10,001+ employees
Inspired by our heritage, our brand is rooted in sports and the culture born from it. Headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany, we’re a global leader in the sporting goods industry, employing 62,035 worldwide.