Senior Manager Commercial Acceleration - Europe - Sales Development (m/f/d)

Strategic Channel Initiatives Manager

Adidas is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from people of all ages, genders, ethnic and social backgrounds, nationalities, sexual orientations, religions and beliefs, and those with apparent or non-apparent disabilities. We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees. We actively encourage individuals with disabilities to apply and will provide reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

Purpose & Overall Relevance For The Organization

To drive and support the project management and cross-functional execution of strategic channel initiatives across Europe, with a focus on accelerating new business opportunities.

To drive and manage strategic partnerships and initiatives that grow the European wholesale business. To enable sustainable, profitable market share and net sales growth in line with global priorities, while elevating the brand through innovative go-to-market execution.

Key Responsibilities

Functional

• Lead and coordinate the setup, planning, and execution of cross-functional strategic initiatives across channels in Europe, while also supporting the Director Commercial Acceleration.
• Translate high-level strategic direction into executable project roadmaps, ensuring timely and effective delivery across functions.
• Conduct research on activating new routes to market to support long-term business growth, evaluate, and execute.
• Drive cross-functional alignment with internal stakeholders (account teams, sales development, marketing, and more) to ensure integrated project execution and seamless market activation.
• Drive the execute of channel-specific strategies across key wholesale partners, ensuring consistent delivery and impact across markets.
• Foster and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support collaborative growth and operational excellence.
• Monitor and report on key project KPIs, business acceleration metrics, and improvements in customer experience at the point of sale.
• Collaborate closely with product and merchandising teams to ensure relevant and timely availability of product offerings that support business development.
• Proactively identify and support the activation of new commercial opportunities across European markets.

Controlling

• Measure progress on own KPIs
• Report to all superiors

Key Relationships

• Global: Global Business Dev., Global IT, SS&D WHS, Global CtC Functions, Global Retail SS&E, Global BUs
• Markets: Sales Directors, Biz. Dev., Heads of BUs, CS, Marketing & Sales Development Europe, Europ. Account Directors, Europe IT, Europe Finance and Ops

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Strong interpersonal skills (e.g. communication, negotiation)
• Proven methodological skills (e.g. Business planning, strategic development)
• Good functional skills (e.g. Sales, Customer Service, Marketing Finance, IT)
• Good degree of commercial and business acumen knowledge
• Experience in both market and above market organization is an added benefit
• Mental flexibility, initiative and determination
• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential. Skills and abilities in other languages are beneficial
• Advanced skills in MS Office, (Powerpoint, Excel)

Resisite Education And Experience / Minimum Qualifications

• Degree in business administration with focus on Sales/Marketing
• Business: min of 5-8 years
• Functional: min of 5-8 years in the sporting goods industry
• Cross functional experience ideally with marketing / sales / finance / operations
• Industry: sporting goods / retail / consumer goods