Senior Manager, Product Management (Basketball Footwear)

POSITION OVERVIEW

At adidas, we never launch a product unless we consider it perfect.

Our product creation teams combine consumer insight, design excellence, technical expertise, and commercial ambition to create products that perform and inspire. Every range is shaped through thoughtful strategy, compelling storytelling, and disciplined execution.

This is a product creation role focused on developing and managing seasonal performance basketball footwear ranges from concept through commercialization. It is not a traditional brand marketing, consumer marketing, or go-to-market marketing position. Instead, the role sits at the center of the product creation process, driving product strategy, range architecture, consumer insights, and cross-functional execution.

The Senior Manager, Product Management (Basketball Footwear) leads the creation of globally relevant performance basketball footwear across signature and inline franchises. This role owns the end-to-end product creation process from seasonal strategy and concept development through milestone presentations, product systems execution, commercialization readiness, and marketplace alignment.

Working across Product Marketing, Design, Development, Innovation, Athlete Services, Sports Marketing, Merchandising, and global markets, this position ensures product ranges align with consumer insights, brand priorities, business objectives, and long-term category growth. The role serves as a strategic connector across global teams by translating insights into compelling product concepts and driving alignment throughout the seasonal creation process.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Product Strategy: Lead the seasonal direction for performance basketball footwear ranges, including signature athlete products and inline collections, while establishing long-term growth strategies for the category.

Range Ownership: Own end-to-end management of seasonal footwear ranges from concept through commercialization, ensuring alignment with consumer needs, brand priorities, and financial objectives.

Consumer Insights: Translate consumer, athlete, sport, and marketplace insights into product concepts that strengthen the competitive position of the basketball business.

Range Architecture: Build balanced product assortments that deliver a compelling mix of innovation, commercial opportunity, and premium brand positioning.

Cross-Functional Leadership: Partner closely with Design, Development, Innovation, Athlete Services, Partnerships, Sports Marketing, Merchandising, and regional teams to deliver industry-leading products.

Concept to Consumer: Collaborate with Concept to Consumer partners to define seasonal direction and ensure consistent execution across product ranges.

Business Analysis: Analyze category performance, identify business opportunities, and recommend strategic actions that improve commercial performance and marketplace relevance.

Product Systems: Maintain expert knowledge of product information systems and seasonal timelines while ensuring data accuracy and process compliance.

Category Expertise: Serve as the subject matter expert for basketball footwear by maintaining deep knowledge of athlete needs, marketplace trends, competitive products, and consumer expectations.

Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong partnerships with global markets, key retail partners, and cross-functional stakeholders to gather feedback, communicate strategy, and support successful product launches.

Presentation Leadership: Develop and deliver compelling seasonal presentations, product stories, and business updates tailored to executive leadership, regional teams, and external partners.

Project Leadership: Independently lead strategic initiatives while managing priorities, timelines, and cross-functional deliverables throughout the product creation calendar.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Product Management, Fashion, Textile, or a related field.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in product marketing, product management, merchandising, or a related product creation function within footwear, apparel, or sporting goods.

• Experience working within the performance footwear industry.

• Strong understanding of the footwear product creation process and seasonal development calendar.

• Knowledge of basketball consumers, athletes, marketplace dynamics, and competitive trends.

• Excellent analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.

• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and execute effectively in a fast-paced global environment.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and other Microsoft Office applications.

• Ability to travel up to 30% based on business needs.

• Fluent in English.

• Passion for sport with a strong interest in basketball, performance footwear, and product innovation.

• Ability to embody the adidas values through daily leadership, collaboration, and decision making.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Experience leading global footwear product ranges within the basketball or performance category.

• Experience working with athlete signature product franchises.

• Experience collaborating with Design, Development, Innovation, Sports Marketing, Athlete Services, Merchandising, and regional business teams.

• Experience presenting product strategies and seasonal ranges to executive leadership, global markets, and key retail partners.

• Experience working within global product information and product lifecycle management systems.

• Experience in retail, wholesale, sales, or commercial merchandising environments.

• Deep knowledge of basketball culture, performance footwear innovation, and consumer trends.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position follows the adidas hybrid work policy and is based in Los Angeles, California. Employees are expected to work in the office Monday through Thursday, with the flexibility to work remotely on Friday. In-office attendance may be required on Fridays when business needs involve a high degree of collaboration or an in-person presentation.

The role operates in a fast-paced, collaborative, and globally connected product creation environment. Regular interaction with global markets, cross-functional teams, athletes, and strategic partners is expected. Domestic and international travel of up to 30% may be required. The working language is English.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

This role sits within the Global Basketball organization and partners closely with Product Marketing leadership, Design, Development, Innovation, Athlete Services, Partnerships, Sports Marketing, Merchandising, and global market teams. The position serves as a key cross-functional leader throughout the seasonal footwear product creation process while maintaining strong relationships with regional stakeholders and strategic retail partners.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $131,360 to $145,029.

Actual salary will be based on various factors, including a candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role.

Employees are eligible to earn an annual bonus based on both company and personal performance.

• Comprehensive medical coverage including HSA with employer funding or FSA options, dental, vision, and prescription plans.

• Adoption, surrogate, and fertility support programs.

• Short and long term disability coverage.

• Basic life and AD and D insurance with supplemental employee paid options.

• 401(k) plan and Stock Purchase Plan with employer match.

• Education assistance for eligible full time employees.

• 12 weeks of paid parental leave and generous leave policies.

• Flexible time off accrued at 0.4388 hours per day, increasing with tenure.

• Twelve paid holidays plus milestone Service Time Off.

• Employee product discounts and access to wellness programs.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

At adidas, we foster a workplace culture built on respect, collaboration, and opportunity where employees can grow, contribute, and perform at their best.

We value diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds because they strengthen our teams, drive innovation, and help us better serve athletes, consumers, and communities around the world.

adidas is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.