Manager Inbound Planning (Temp 12 months) at adidas · Amsterdam

Partnering with adidas Supply Chain functions and Distribution Centers (DCs) to create On-Time Availability and enable On-Time, In-Full delivery to Wholesale and Direct-to-Consumer channels. The role is responsible for managing and optimizing the flow of goods from ports across Europe to the European Distribution Center network.

In addition, this role acts as the Business Process Manager (BPM) for Inbound Planning capabilities within Europe SCM, driving business process management, governance and continuous improvement across the end-to-end inbound transportation and planning landscape. The role owns process design, process standards, business requirements, system adoption and process performance, ensuring alignment between business operations and adidas' inbound and S/4 transformation roadmap.

The position ensures planning processes are scalable, efficient and aligned with strategic priorities, while enabling operational excellence, service level achievement and cost optimization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, coach, develop and inspire a team of specialists
• Set clear objectives and priorities while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement
• Drive employee engagement, talent development, succession planning and capability building within the team
• Ensure the team possesses the necessary planning, analytical and process management capabilities to support business objectives
• Secure cross-functional collaboration with key stakeholders to proactively manage supply and inbound transportation challenges
• Develop and maintain reporting tools and performance dashboards to support operational decision-making and achievement of business targets
• Represent Inbound Planning in cross-functional projects, network initiatives and strategic SCM programs (including S/4)
• Own and continuously improve key inbound planning and transportation planning processes across Europe SCM
• Define, document, standardize and govern business processes, operating procedures and planning standards to ensure consistency across teams and stakeholders
• Establish process performance management routines, including KPI monitoring, root-cause analysis and corrective action tracking
• Identify opportunities for process simplification, automation and digitalization through collaboration with Technology, Analytics and SCM Excellence teams
• Facilitate continuous improvement initiatives using structured problem-solving methodologies and operational excellence principles
• Act as the subject matter expert for inbound planning processes and support change management activities
• Drive process compliance and ensure adherence to defined governance frameworks, operating models and service level agreements
• Translate strategic business requirements into scalable process solutions that improve service, efficiency and cost performance

Key Relationships:

• Europe SCM Functions (Product Supply, Orderbook Management, Distribution Planning, Customer Fulfillment, Reporting & Analytics)
• DC Operations and DC Leadership Teams
• Global Logistics and Transportation Management
• Inbound Planning and Network Planning Teams
• Tech and Advanced Analytics
• Finance and Performance Management Functions
• Omnichannel Operations (Retail and eCommerce)
• External Logistics Service Providers and Transportation Partners

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of supply chain processes and end-to-end flow of goods from source to customer
• Proven business process management and process improvement capabilities
• Strong operational planning and project management skills
• Ability to establish process governance, standards and performance management frameworks
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills with strong reporting and data interpretation capabilities
• Ability to identify process inefficiencies and drive sustainable solutions
• Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional leadership capabilities
• Ability to lead, coach and motivate teams in a dynamic and changing environment
• Effective communication and influencing skills across all organizational levels
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Cost-conscious mindset combined with customer and service orientation

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• University degree or equivalent qualification, preferably in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Logistics or Operations Management
• Minimum 5 years of experience within Supply Chain Management, Transportation, Logistics or Operations
• Demonstrated experience leading process improvement, transformation or operational excellence initiatives
• Strong knowledge of ERP systems (SAP preferred), planning systems and reporting tools
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and Power BI
• Experience working in cross-functional and international environments.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken