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

We actively encourage individuals with disabilities to apply and will provide reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANIZATION:

You will play a central role in shaping and governing Global Distribution Excellence (GDE) standards, frameworks, and methodologies across both DC and Outbound. Operating within the Standards & Governance pillar, you will help define what “best-in-class” looks like for the entire distribution network, ensuring alignment, clarity, and consistency in how our Global and Market teams operate. You will contribute to building a unified way of working that strengthens operational performance, improves transparency, and enables markets to adopt best‑in‑class processes. By collaborating closely with cross‑functional partners, you will support fact‑based decision making, drive continuous improvement, and enable a harmonized approach to Distribution Excellence that supports both operational needs driving KPIs such as productivity, lead-time, and sustainability and future strategic direction.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

ENHANCE GLOBAL FRAMEWORKS |

Continuously evolve and govern the GDE framework toolkit (playbooks, standards, SOPs, policies, sharing platforms, forms, BI dashboards, KPIs) across both DC and Outbound driving improvements and enabling new features based on Global and Market teams feedbacks, assessments, and audits

ENABLE ADOPTION & TRAINING |

Develop and provide training materials to strengthen understanding, maturity, and adoption of global standards while upskilling communities to use frameworks, tools, and methodologies effectively and consistently

ENSURE KNOWLEDGE CONTINUITY |

Maintain and manage documentation, workflows, and process definitions to ensure long term clarity & continuity of standards and tools

DATA & REPORTING EXCELLENCE |

Support the harmonization of KPI definitions, performance dashboards, and reporting logic for both DC and Outbound. Validate that data models, formulas, and insights remain reliable and actionable

ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS |

Drive data and root cause analysis to identify efficiency gaps and cost‑saving opportunities across DC and Outbound

PARTICIPATE IN DEVELOPMENT & ROLLOUTS |

Actively contribute to the creation, testing, refinement, and global rollout of new standards, frameworks, and methodologies. Ensure smooth adoption including retrospective validation of their adoption, compliance, and effectiveness in meeting goals by partnering with global functions & market teams

PROJECT DELIVERY |

Contribute to projects within the broader GSCM landscape by partnering across functions and ensuring standards and insights are embedded initiatives

COMMUNITY BUILDING & RECOGNITION |

Strengthen GSCM community by fostering best practice sharing, actively driving and collaborating across teams to increase replication of proven approaches, celebrating achievements, and supporting recognition moments

SUSTAINABILITY |

Integrate key sustainability principles into the evolution of standards and frameworks for both DC and Outbound

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

Global Distribution Excellence teams

Market SCM teams covering both DC operations and Outbound transportation

Global Inbound & Outbound Transportation functions

Global Special Matter Experts related to distribution operation

Distribution IT & Tech (product teams, platform owners, data/BI teams)

Global Procurement (3PL management, carrier management)

Finance / Controlling for cost steering, forecasting, and investment cases

Project Mgmt & Transformation teams supporting process, system & framework rollouts

External partners, incl. logistics service providers, carriers, and consultants as needed

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

:

STRATEGIC THINKING & FRAMEWORK DESIGN |

Ability to translate operational complexity into clear, scalable global standards and governance models

FUNCTIONAL EXPERTISE |

Strong understanding of end‑to‑end distribution, covering both DC operations and outbound fundamentals

ANALYTICAL & DATA FLUENCY |

Skilled in interpreting complex data, defining KPI logic, validating models, and generating actionable insights

GOVERNANCE & ALIGNMENT |

Ability to create structure, clarity, and cross‑functional alignment without formal authority

CHANGE LEADERSHIP |

Capable of driving adoption of new standards, ways of working, and global rollouts

COMMUNICATION & FACILITATION

| Strong written and verbal communication; effective facilitator for global and market audiences

CROSS‑FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION |

Proven ability to partner with SCM, Transportation, Procurement, Finance, and IT/Tech teams in fast-paced, multinational settings

COMMUNITY BUILDING |

Skilled at fostering global communities, supporting best‑practice exchange, and strengthening capability

PROBLEM‑SOLVING & DECISION‑MAKING |

Structured, data‑driven approach; effective in ambiguous and evolving environments

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY |

Strong MS Office skills; familiarity with BI tools, data platforms, and AI‑enabled analytics solutions preferred

REQUISITE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION |

4‑year college or university degree with a focus on SCM

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE |

Minimum 5+ years of progressive experience in mid‑ to large‑scale global projects/programs

CHANGE & INFLUENCE |

Proven track record of driving change and influencing globally without direct reporting lines

INDUSTRY BACKGROUND |

Extensive experience in supply chain/logistics within multinational FMCG companies (preferably apparel or fashion)

AT ADIDAS WE HAVE A WINNING CULTURE. BUT TO WIN, PHYSICAL POWER IS NOT ENOUGH. JUST LIKE ATHLETES OUR EMPLOYEES NEED MENTAL STRENGTH IN THEIR GAME. WE FOSTER THE ATHLETE’S MINDSET THROUGH A SET OF BEHAVIORS THAT WE WANT TO ENABLE AND DEVELOP IN OUR PEOPLE AND THAT ARE AT THE CORE OF OUR UNIQUE COMPANY CULTURE: THIS IS HOW WE WIN WHILE PLAYING FAIR.

COURAGE: Speak up when you see an opportunity; step up when you see a need..

OWNERSHIP: Pick up the ball. Be proactive, take responsibility and follow-through.

INNOVATION: Elevate to win. Be curious, test and learn new and better ways of doing things.

TEAMPLAY: Win together. Work collaboratively and cultivate a shared mindset.

INTEGRITY: Play by the rules. Hold yourself and others accountable to our company’s standards.

RESPECT: Value all players. Display empathy, be inclusive and show dignity to all.

AT ADIDAS, WE STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT EMBEDDING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI) INTO OUR CULTURE AND TALENT PROCESSES GIVES OUR EMPLOYEES A SENSE OF BELONGING AND OUR BRAND A REAL COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE.

– CULTURE STARTS WITH PEOPLE, IT STARTS WITH YOU –

BY RECRUITING TALENT AND DEVELOPING OUR PEOPLE TO REFLECT THE RICH DIVERSITY OF OUR CONSUMERS AND COMMUNITIES, WE FOSTER A CULTURE OF INCLUSION THAT ENGAGES OUR EMPLOYEES AND AUTHENTICALLY CONNECTS OUR BRAND WITH OUR CONSUMERS.

JOB TITLE:

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

BRAND:

LOCATION:

Herzogenaurach

TEAM:

General Management & Business Development

STATE:

BY

COUNTRY/REGION:

DE

CONTRACT TYPE:

Full time

NUMBER:

546151

DATE:

Jun 22, 2026