Senior Specialist Sample Creation Footwear

PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANISATION
- We will never launch a product unless we consider it perfect. Our product operations teams create every shirt, every shoe, and every piece of equipment for thousands of athletes and fashion lovers as if it were one of a kind. And it truly is, as they weave their passion into every product. But translating designs, drawings and renderings into real products requires a lot of decision making.
- As Senior Specialist Sample Creation Footwear, you are responsible for creating physical shoe prototypes and material components for the buildup of athlete grade performance, fashion grade concept, and inline grade development shoes. You will identify the best process steps to turn performance, fit and design needs into a visual or functional shoe prototype by leveraging a variety of digital and handcraft techniques, tools, materials and processes to achieve on time in full results. Where applicable, you will assist on innovative product concepts and identify solutions to bring them to life on a specific or brand concept level.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Utilize handcraft processes, tools, and machinery equipment to build up, modify or create 2D parts or physical shoes for the internal customer's purpose
- Pre
- and post-processing of produced parts and shoes: i.e., cleaning, sanding, curing, painting, heating, etc. is a key component of the shoe creation process
- Creation of physical prototypes through various technologies or processes (urethane casting, laser cutting, vacuum forming, hand carving, glueing, assembly techniques etc.) required
- Support the conversion of design or pattern data into a confirmed set of usable machine or physical pattern parts to enable upper creation and tooling assembly
- Provide technical knowledge and information in collaboration with design, development, and if applicable factory partners and guide them to the best process or prototype for their needs
- Work closely with the internal customer to analyze designs for manufacturability, production efficiencies, potential functional or quality issues and offer alternative, economic, and efficient solutions. Point out and communicate with a solution-oriented mindset and identify opportunities during this process
- Maintain and operate all related tools, equipment, and supplies: i.e., machine software, machine operator maintenance, supply management, shoemaking or cutting tools
- Increase the speed and efficiency of processes by eliminating non-value adding steps and follow “Right the First Time” principle
- Continuously increase knowledge of the latest technological trends in shoe creation and material cutting of parts by active research or information gathering via i.e. fairs
- Support and consult on advanced concepts in techniques and execution as pertains to rapid creation
- Bring new ideas to the team to optimize or initiate new workmanship techniques and services in alignment with the team leader
- Collaborate with other adidas creation centers, internal departments and where needed and aligned external resources as needed
- Manage used materials or volatile chemicals warehouse and storage facilities, by maintaining proper stock, lean housekeeping and ordering in time to enable supply availability
- Live and foster a knowledge sharing culture, and mentor junior team members
- Assist in training orthopedic shoemaking apprentices in the department in upgrading skills and equipment knowledge as well as fundamentals training
- Support athlete orthopedic care for athlete product excellence customers and/or creative and celebrity VIP partners in customized shoe creation

OPTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manage and mentor othopedic shoemaker apprentices by providing educational direction and creating a motivational and supportive work environment in which employees are coached and trained through development.
- Cross-divisional function within a technology area with an official appointment as safety officer (e.g. laser safety officer in accordance with - 5 (2) of the Ordinance on the Protection of Employees against Hazards from Artificial Optical Radiation (OStrV)):

- Carrying out the risk assessment with regards to laser radiation
- Implementing the necessary protective measures with regards to laser radiation
- Monitoring the safe operation of lasers
- Provide medical clearance for athlete product components, adhering to and following German Medical Product Law

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Proficient knowledge of all computer software required to run machinery and equipment
- High level of preparation of data for materials cutting, molding or shoemaking processes where applicable is required utilizing all available software tools (Rhino, Machine software, Punch, graphic and other software)
- Basic knowledge of creating 2D CAD models; ability to modify for manufacturability and drive feedback to optimize the input process
- Ability to work with Solvents, Chemicals, Polyurethane, Epoxy, Sili