Senior Manager - Process Management & Continuous Improvement

Role overview

The Global Business Services (GBS) function at adidas delivers standardized, end-to-end services across Order to Cash, Source to Pay, Record to Report, and HR Services for adidas entities in Europe, North America, Emerging Markets, and Latin America. The broader mandate is to run high-quality operations through common process standards, strong governance, digital tools, and a sustained focus on continuous improvement and innovation.

In this position, you will act as a central leader for process governance and continuous improvement. The role is responsible for creating governance frameworks, promoting process excellence tools, and making sure process mining and CI governance are executed in a structured, measurable way. You will work closely with continuous improvement leaders, global process owners, and technology teams to turn process insights into tangible operational gains.

Process management governance and standards

• Set up and oversee an end-to-end process management framework for GBS.
• Standardize process documentation and taxonomy using Signavio.
• Ensure process maps, repositories, and governance practices are applied consistently.
• Use Celonis insights to help business teams identify where improvements can be made.
• Work with global process owners to align processes across locations and business areas.

Continuous improvement governance and enablement

• Build and implement a governance model for the full continuous improvement lifecycle.
• Create and run a capability-building program that increases Lean awareness and strengthens structured problem-solving across GBS value streams.
• Enable operations and business teams to own and deliver CI initiatives while you provide standards and governance support.

Platforms and digital enablement

• Oversee enterprise-wide process management and CI tools, including Signavio, Celonis, and related platforms.
• Increase adoption, usage, and value delivery from these platforms across functions.
• Define governance rules, data standards, and usage guidance for the platforms.

Business continuity planning governance

• Govern BCP frameworks, policies, and risk requirements in line with global standards.
• Coordinate with BCP points of contact across GBS hubs to ensure consistent controls, reporting, and governance adoption.

Stakeholder management and leadership

• Serve as the key governance partner for operations, global process owners, and senior leadership teams on process management initiatives.
• Develop and drive a roadmap that advances process excellence, governance maturity, and digital enablement.
• Lead and grow the team responsible for process governance and CI enablement.
• Promote a culture of governance discipline, thought leadership, and continuous improvement.

Working relationships

Key interfaces include global process owners, platform engineering and global IT, operations leadership, and external partners or suppliers.

Qualifications and experience

You should bring deep experience in process management and continuous improvement within Global Business Services or a similar global operating model. The role calls for strong familiarity with governance frameworks, process mapping and mining tools, and enterprise platforms used for process excellence. You also need strong analytical skills, a structured approach to problem-solving, and the ability to work effectively with senior stakeholders in a matrix environment.

Additional requirements

A university degree, or equivalent practical experience, is expected, ideally in business administration, finance, operations, or a related discipline. The role typically requires 10 to 12 years of relevant professional experience in process management, continuous improvement, or transformation within a global organization. Experience in shared services or global business services environments is important, along with exposure to rolling out methodologies and tools across functions or geographies. Certification in Lean, Six Sigma, or a similar CI method is an advantage.

Equal opportunity statement

adidas is committed to diversity, inclusion, and individual expression in the workplace. The company does not accept harassment or discrimination and is an equal opportunity employer.