Director Procurement Logistics & Distribution (m/f/d)

Adidas, the global sports brand, is looking for a Director Procurement Logistics & Distribution (m/f/d) to join its team in Lucerne, Switzerland. This is a full-time, onsite role that partners across markets to shape how the company buys and manages transport and logistics services on a global scale. If you enjoy turning complex cross-border needs into clear, actionable plans and leading a team that drives tangible cost savings, this could be the right fit.

In this role you’ll own the development and deployment of category practices for transport and logistics, collaborating closely with supply chain management and regional procurement leaders. You’ll drive stakeholder management to maximise value, ensure compliance with policies and processes, and help meet Procurement targets within adidas’ broader budget. A key part of the job is building and guiding a global provider portfolio that supports the company’s logistics ambitions.

The ideal candidate thrives when connecting strategy with execution, enjoys leading global initiatives, and can influence across functions and markets. The role demands travel and frequent collaboration with senior leaders, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to deliver sustainable savings and contract performance.

Steering the road map for transport and distribution

You’ll co-create the transport and logistics category strategy and translate it into a global sourcing plan that aligns with business needs and the company’s budget. This means analyzing the category landscape, outlining spend and requirements, assessing risks and supplier bases, and sharing best practices across markets. You’ll benchmark against industry norms, shape a strategic sourcing plan with Logistics teams, and ensure it lines up with buying channels and potential automation opportunities.

Once the strategy is defined, you’ll lead the implementation to support adidas’ market logistics approach and the delivery of targeted savings. That includes consolidating requirements, partnering with the business to refine specifications, driving contract implementation and compliance, and taking ownership for the savings targets you and the team set.

In addition, you’ll oversee a cross-functional sourcing team through all phases of strategic sourcing. You’ll define roles, coordinate with global and local procurement colleagues, run RFx processes, and negotiate based on data and risk-informed insights. You’ll work with Legal to finalise contracts and manage their administration, and you’ll track savings in partnership with global finance and governance functions to ensure global activation of agreements.

Your work also includes managing commercial relationships with key suppliers within the defined category. You’ll establish and nurture supplier partnerships, oversee performance reviews and supplier development activities, and push for contract improvements and further cost or demand reductions. You’ll keep close contact with stakeholders and business representatives, providing input on volumes, specifications and pricing to support smart consumption policies, while acting as an escalation point for category-related issues and driving resolution in line with global procurement policies. You’ll seek buy-in for major procurement initiatives, help shape budget improvements, and foster synergies across adidas and its SCM markets, the Global Procurement Community, and other business functions.

Ultimately the role sits at the intersection of strategy, negotiation, and execution, with a focus on building value through disciplined category management, robust supplier governance, and cross-functional collaboration across the organisation.

Key relationships run through procurement leadership, supply chain management, and senior supplier officials, up to CEO level where applicable, as well as legal, risk management, compliance, insurance, and global business services functions.

What you’ll bring to the table

• Advanced expertise in sourcing and procurement methods within the transport and logistics space
• Strong background in transport and logistics processes and overall supply chain management
• Deep knowledge of containerised ocean freight, air freight and overland shipping
• Global proficiency in transport and logistics category management and sourcing execution
• Solid track record in developing procurement strategies and communicating them effectively
• Proficiency with procurement tools, data, content and automation
• Expertise in risk and compliance management
• Ability to analyse specifications and influence demand
• Comfort collaborating across the adidas organisation and driving cross-functional alignment
• Experience in project and process management
• Strong presentation, communication, interpersonal and influencing skills
• Action-oriented, solution-minded team player with high self-management
• Proficiency in MS Office
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written
• 2 to 3 years of experience in leading a team
• Willingness to travel up to 30%

Nice-to-haves that would help you stand out

• A master’s degree focused on transport and logistics, supply chain, business, economics, finance, procurement or legal, or an equivalent professional qualification
• 10+ years of total work experience with at least 5 years in a similar procurement, consulting or logistics role
• Experience in procurement or sales for a leading logistics service provider or a major global freight forwarder, or within the FMCG sector

Pay, benefits and practical details

The role is full-time and onsite in Lucerne, Switzerland. You’ll work a schedule that fits a global procurement function, and travel up to 30% to support markets and supplier negotiations. You’ll need to be fluent in English, both spoken and written, and comfortable using standard MS Office tools. A master’s degree and 10+ years of relevant experience, including 5+ years in a similar procurement or logistics role, alongside exposure to logistics providers or freight forwarders or FMCG, will position you well for this leadership post.

Tips for applicants

Your resume should lead with the breadth and depth of your transport and logistics procurement experience, especially your global scope and any leadership of teams. If you’ve delivered measurable savings, put those numbers up top and connect them to specific contracts or supplier changes.

When you describe your must-have skills, cite concrete examples of category management and sourcing execution in a global setting, plus any risk or compliance frameworks you’ve implemented and how you tracked results against targets.

For interviews, be prepared to walk through a real transport & logistics category strategy you built, how you aligned it with business needs and budgets, and how you partnered with Legal on contract execution. Have a concrete RFx or negotiation case ready and be ready to discuss cross-functional collaboration across markets.

Ask a sharp question that shows you’ve thought about adidas’ global footprint, for example: how does adidas measure savings in the transport & logistics category across markets, and how do global and local priorities get reconciled when implementing contracts?