Manager DC Excellence and Continuous Improvement

adidas Operations Excellence Statement:  

At adidas we are committed to live the Lean philosophy and to apply continuous improvement principles to our daily operations – maximizing customer value while minimizing waste and continuously improving our way of working.

Summary:

In this role you will drive the implementation of the adidas Operations Excellence operating framework. You will coach the DC leadership team through the adoption of continuous improvement mindset, lean concepts and new tools to drive excellence on the shop floor. You will help identify improvement opportunities and resources necessary to accomplish planned improvements. 

Essential duties and responsibilities:  

• Adoption of lean principles and adidas Operation Excellence framework  

• Ensure and drive key lean principles are in place in the DC (e.g. visual management, performance dialogues, 6S, gemba, etc.) – and in line with global standards
• Support the implementation of the adidas Operation Excellence operating framework on site and ensure its sustainability incl. develop the adidas Operation Excellence documentation with site leaders, Quality, Safety and HR teams; align specific need for customization of adidas Operation Excellence global tools
• Train and coach the DC leadership team through the adoption of the adidas Operation Excellence operating framework as well as new continuous improvement tools and routines
• Regularly conduct internal gemba and audits to monitor progress and adoption of global lean and adidas Operation Excellence standards 

• Continuous process improvement  

• Support operations process owners to optimize processes incl. regular workshops with area leads to identify improvement opportunities (VSM, CIP, etc.) 
• Act as key point of contact (SPOC) for all continuous improvement related topics in their area of responsibility
• Drive the Site Improvement Plan incl. facilitate the development of a holistic annual action plan for the DC while working to secure funding and resources and track progress with the DC leadership team 
• Lead CI Projects & prepare business cases for the demand process
• Track impact of improvement initiatives 
• Support DC process owners to optimize processes and to focus on key customer requirements
• Share and standardize best practices and processes by driving standard work.
• Partner with Industrial Engineers, Labor Management Team & Pay-for-Performance teams to drive standard excellence initiatives

• Implementation of new tools

• Act as main point of contact and expert to the project teams who implement Operations Excellence tools such as Labor Management System, Kaizen, 6S, Problem-Solving, etc.
• Enable the implementation and adoption of Labor Management practices and systems along side the superusers
• Localize global training and tools to ensure best adoption for the local DC team 
• Function as a change agent – continuously challenge the way things are done, promote creativity and out of the box thinking 

• Best practice sharing

• Actively share- and seek for best practices across the community of other Lean Ambassadors; participate in Best Practice Groups to scale up identified best practices 

• Contribute to the design of adidas future adidas Operation Excellence standards 
• Provide training, coaching and mentoring in LEAN/continuous improvement concepts and techniques.

Business Partner/Contacts:

• DC Director
• Sr. Manager Regional DC Excellence & Continuous Improvement 
• Global DC Excellence & Continuous Improvement Team
• DC Operations Leadership team
• Industrial Engineering
• Training
• Human Resources
• Global & DC IT and Tech Team
• Non-Trade Procurement Team (global, regional)

Experience and Skills:

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in applying LEAN/Continuous Improvement concepts
• Demonstrated statistical and analytical problem-solving skills
• Strong communication, facilitation and presentation skills to all levels of the organization
• Demonstrated project management skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Computer skills: MS Office suite, MS Project,, MS Visio/Signavio, Copilot, Smartsheet
• Fluent in English
• Analytical skills

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor degree in logistics, supply chain, engineering or in another relevant discipline
• Experience working in logistics or in manufacturing/ operations
• Education as a certified LEAN Ambassador or Six Sigma Green Belt preferred

• adidas celebrates diversity, supports inclusiveness and encourages individual expression in our workplace. We actively encourage individuals with disabilities to apply and will provide reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. We do not tolerate the harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• adidas offers robust and progressive medical, including HSA (Health Savings Account) with employer funding or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) options, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, adoption, with surrogate and fertility support, short and long-term disability, and basic life and AD&D insurance. Employees are able to enroll in adidas’ 401k plan and Stock Purchase Plan with employer match. Full-time employees are eligible for education assistance and generous Leave policies including 14 weeks of paid parental leave.

• Employees are eligible to earn an annual bonus based on company performance. Employees accrue prorated flexible time off in the amount .4388 hours per day that increases with years of service, twelve paid holidays throughout the calendar year and Service Time Off during milestone years. 

• Though our teammates hail from all corners of the world, our working language is English. 

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.