Senior Technical Manager, Creation Technologies - adidas (Los Angeles, CA)
About the job
Purpose & Overall Relevance For The Organisation
In the sample room it is critical that we stay ahead of the curve when it comes to technology and equitpment that allows us to provide more making capabilities to our design and development teams.
This role contributes to adidas's mission to be the best sports company in the world by managing the creation needs of physical prototypes and technical components to the exact design specifications as required by the development and design team. In this role you will manage a team of technicians and oversee the creation processes of modeling, 3D printing, molding, casting and knit creation to ensure that we are supporting our design and development teams and most importly our makers in the sample room to provide them whats needed to deliver projects.
In addition, it will be very important to drive innovation by keeping up with new creation technology/oppoprtunities and Identify the best technological equipment that we can incorporate into the sample room to strengthen our capabilities. It will also be very important to communicate cleary to leadership and translate innovation lingo.
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Key Responsibilities
Supervise and Manage team of technicians to ensure they are meeting all project ask and requirments.
Partner with Senior manager of footwear and apparel creation to achieve the goals set by design and development.
Proactivly communicate on and on going basis with the sample room management team to ensure smooth development processes.
Researches new technologies and materials and communicates to the director on new potential development options.
Provide technical information in collaboration with sample room, design, and development, and guide them to the best process or prototype for their needs
Work closely with the senior manager, your technicians and cross functional partners to analyze designs for manufacturability, production efficiencies, potential functional or quality issues and costing issues and offer alternative, economic and efficient solutions. Point out solutions or opportunities during this process.
Supervise the maintaining of all related tools, equipment, and supplies: i.e., machine software, casting equipment, modeling tools.
Offer technical solutions to the product team taking into consideration functional requirements of products, adidas quality standards, target costs and manufacturing constraints.
Increase the speed and efficiency of processes by eliminating non-value adding steps and follow “Right the First Time” principle.
Continuously increase your knowledge regarding latest technological trends in CAD systems, knitting and manufacturing/processes.
Bring new ideas to the team to optimize or initiate new prototyping techniques and services.
Collaborate with other adidas creation centers and internal departments.
Lead project related innovative technical solution finding using the departments technical and expert abilities in alignment with the Sample room, design and development.
Enable efficient processes within your team
Manage all related health and safety requirements within your team and regularily train, assess risks, and keep safe the work, personal environment and personal protection.
Design
Development
Innovation
Advenaced Creation Teams
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
Strong communication skills (written and Virbal) and facilitation (small and large groups)
Ability to create, plan, and effectively deleiver presenations in formal and informal settings.
Ability to manage and motivate team.
Abaility to anticipate problems and develop solutions through resolution
Ability to cope with change, make decisions and act comfortably with risk and uncertainty
Indepht knowledge of technical 3D creation processes (Additive Manufacturing, 3D printing, Knit, others)
Ability to identify design issues and offer solutions to improve functionality and manufacturability of product.
Ability to work independently under a deadline on several projects simultaneously with minimal input.
Ability to work in a shop environment and be comfortable working with industrial machinery
Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
Knowledge about shoe making process
English skills, German beneficial
MS Office and other state of the art communication or documentation skills
Ability to manage, setup and hold technical meetings with customers
Ability to manage material sourcing, order, machinery service orders, quote aquiry, facilities requirement alignments and installation of any kind though inhouse specialists
Requisite Education And Experience / Qualifications
Four year college or university degree with emphasis on clothing technology and/or manufacturing
Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience
Strong people manager; Miniumn of 3 years
Technical vocational training with a focus on rapid prototyping, mold making or specialized workmanship
Facility operations understanding preferred
Project management experience preferred
adidas requires all US based employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved accommodation. Proof of vaccination is required. adidas is an equal opportunity employer and will consider requests for accommodation in accordance with all relevant laws
