Senior Director Global Distribution Excellence (m/f/d)

As Senior Director Global Distribution Excellence you are responsible for driving the Distribution Center standardization journey for adidas SCM organization, embedding operational excellence practices in our warehouses (owned and sub-contracted) in line with latest market evolutions. This is a key SCM management position to be held by a highly capable, proven leader who understands global operations and supply chain processes and latest innovations in the field.

Key Accountabilities

• Own and drive the SCM DC Excellence roadmap in line with the given SCM strategy – ensure adidas operational basics are in place across all warehouses of our own and sub-contracted network.
• Embed operational excellence standards and practices in our warehouses (owned and sub-contracted) along each step of the DC life cycle in close collaboration with Market DC Operations.
• Enable a culture of driving Continuous Improvement from- and by the shop floor.
• Drive automation and innovation incubation for key operations processes across our global DC network.
• Professionalize returns management globally.
• Equip our DC and global SCM leadership to hold the flag of DC excellence.

DC Excellence & Standards

• Define and own global adidas DC Excellence framework (operating standards) for own and 3PL DCs; drive calendar of assessments & audits x-functionally.
• Develop a roadmap for standardization of DCs brown- and greenfield.
• Standardize returns process within- and outside of 4-walls to balance cost and excellent customer experience.
• Enhance data intelligence to measure and control DC performance.
• Be key interface to the global sustainability team on behalf of the GSCM community and closely partner with support function like procurement.

DC Productivity & Continuous Improvement

• Embed the Performance Ecosystem (PeS) in operations – a continuous improvement toolkit to enable operations to raise the bar of delivery, productivity, quality, and safety.
• Define annual productivity targets in collaboration with DC operations and finance stakeholders, translate into local roadmaps and demand.
• Own and maintain global productivity database incl. productivity measures, list of initiatives, etc. – drive analysis.
• Identify large pockets of efficiency; develop, plan and drive implementation of new global optimization levers incl. incubation, proof of concepts, vendor selection, roll-out.
• Establish and nurture cross-regional community of Lean/ Continuous Improvement experts and coach community to our standards.

DC Automation & Technologies

• Scout for- and drive scalable automation and improvements for key ops processes across our network of own and outsourced DC´s.
• Manage implementation of global optimization levers incl. robotics, labor Mgnt system, Staffing tool, and other (data) automation technologies – ensure on time in full delivery to operations.
• Implement and leverage RFID in our entire DC network.
• Define and own business requirements & deployment needs for productivity-related systems – coordinate with IT System owners for implementation.
• Foster Engineering community across our markets.

DC Assurance & Recovery

• Own a global methodology and toolbox to expedite diagnosis of under-performing operations and application of lessons learned to future start ups.
• Provide hands-on recover under-performing operations, leveraging x-functional experts.

Financials and Controlling

• Manage budgets (overhead and projects) through tracking and reporting the monthly budget accruals and variances and ensure timely and accurate invoicing.
• Liaise with Finance on efficiency gains, translation into savings and business case.
• Establish project controlling as an independent element within each project to verify and control the project costs on time in full. Apply appropriate methods for project controlling, e.g. risk analysis, simulation calculations, target-actual comparison.

Communication

• Ensure transparency and clarity to key stakeholders.
• Foster a proactive and creative dialogue where individuals gain other people’s perspectives on critical and complex issues.
• Use appropriate and effective communication methods to Senior Leadership and Executives.

People Management

• Build the appropriate inclusive and diverse team structure to be able to manage the respective organization effectively, identify and develop the future talents and create realistic succession scenarios for key positions.
• Ensure appropriate leadership skills are present at every level by creating a motivational and supportive work environment.
• Invest in future talents through Coaching and Mentoring, supporting internal processes around recruitment and onboarding and celebrating SCM as an employer of choice.
• Provide team members/direct reports with clear direction and targets that are aligned with business needs and SCM objectives.

Key Relationships

• Internal: Market SCM, Outbound Transportation and DC operations teams, Global Inbound Transportation, IT (Tech), Controlling, Procurement, Global Engineering & Project Management
• External: Software provider, automation vendors, Logistics service providers, other external partners

Knowledge, Capabilities, And Skills

• Good knowledge of warehouse operations including startup of new operations
• Knowledge of operational performance management, Lean, Continuous Improvement principles
• Understanding of the bigger picture and end-to-end supply chain with the focus on transportation (DC to customer, consumer)
• Strong ability to influence large stakeholder groups
• Recognized and compassionate people leader
• Team player, high degree of self-management, enthusiasm, drives to perform
• Business mindset: strong numerical and analytical skills, experience in finance
• Strong record of successfully applying problem solving and project management skills & tools including good planning and organization skills
• Ability to think strategically, synthesize complex data and develop innovative solutions
• Ability to provide a clear framework for performance to direct reports/project team, able to coach, guide and manage diverse teams
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with different international cultures
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and facilitation skills, both verbal and written
• Navigate and negotiate skillfully in tough situations with both internal and external groups, can settle differences; can win concessions without damaging relationships
• Ability to travel, domestic or international, as required
• Fluent English (verbal and written)
• Strong MS-Office skills

Qualifications

• Four-year college or university degree with focus on supply chain management, logistics, business, economics, supply chain or information systems or equivalent combination of education and experience. MBA is a plus.
• Vast experience in multi-national supply chain/logistics/transportation work experience in fast moving consumer goods industry (preferably apparel, fashion background).
• Minimum of 10+ years of progressive work experience in respective leadership position in combination of operational and project responsibility.
• Proven track record in driving change.
• Strong experience with Distribution Center processes. Minimum of 5 years’ experience in managing international teams in a global organization.