Sr. Manager, Design Operations - HOKA

Global Sports Jobs Limited; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation programs

Financial planning and wellbeing

Generous time away from work

Discounts and perks

Growth and development

Health and wellness programs

Job summary

Deckers Brands seeks a Senior Manager, Design Operations to drive operational excellence within the HOKA Footwear Design group in Portland. You will partner with design leaders and cross-functional teams to optimise processes, establish effective operating practices, and ensure seamless execution across the product creation lifecycle.

You will empower the design team to focus on world-class product creation while meeting seasonal business objectives, reporting to the Director, Product Operations

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in operations, design operations, product creation, or related function.
• Experience leading complex cross-functional initiatives and driving process improvements.
• Experience working in a global product creation organisation with cross-functional teams.
• Strong operational and strategic thinking with ability to translate needs into clear processes and actions.
• Exceptional project management with ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and influencing skills.
• Ability to identify inefficiencies and drive practical solutions.
• Strong organisational skills with attention to detail and broader business context.
• Ability to operate in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational cadence across Footwear Design and related domains for seasonal planning and milestones.
• Establish and evolve design processes and operating procedures to improve efficiency.
• Identify pain points and implement improvements for cross-functional alignment.
• Partner with leadership to plan and execute seasonal design milestones.
• Drive cross-functional initiatives to enable alignment, accountability, and Go-To-Market execution.
• Clarify ownership, timelines, dependencies, and risks to aid decision-making.
• Anticipate execution risks and drive timely resolutions.
• Raise operational standards and drive adoption of best practices.
• Optimise systems and tools; leverage data and automation for productivity.
• Develop reporting frameworks and metrics to measure organisational health.

Skills

Operational leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Project management

Communication & facilitation

Problem solving

Change management

Attention to detail

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Operations/Design or related field

Job description

About the Role

The Senior Manager, Design Operations will act as the driving force behind operational excellence for the HOKA Footwear Design organisation. The role collaborates with design leaders and cross-functional partners to optimise processes, establish effective operating practices, and ensure seamless execution throughout the product creation lifecycle. The purpose of the position is to empower the Design team to focus on creating world-class products while delivering on seasonal business objectives and supporting broader initiatives across Footwear and Apparel Design. The role reports to the Director, Product Operations - HOKA.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the operational cadence across Footwear Design, including Product, Colour, Material, and Digital Concept Design, ensuring readiness for seasonal planning, milestones, and key meetings.


• Establish and evolve design processes and operating procedures that improve organisational effectiveness and efficiency.


• Identify pain points and implement operational improvements to strengthen cross-functional alignment.


• Partner with leadership to plan and execute seasonal design milestones.


• Drive cross-functional initiatives that enable alignment, accountability, and successful execution throughout the Go-To-Market process.


• Facilitate decision-making by clarifying ownership, timelines, dependencies, and risks.


• Anticipate execution risks and drive timely resolution to support seasonal objectives.


• Raise operational standards, foster accountability, and lead organisational change by simplifying ways of working and influencing adoption of best practices.


• Optimise systems, tools, and resources to enable efficient execution and leverage technology and automation for improved productivity.


• Develop reporting frameworks and performance metrics to measure organisational health and support strategic planning through data-driven insights.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in operations, design operations, product creation, or a related function, preferably within the footwear, apparel, or consumer products industry.


• Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives and driving process and organisational improvements.


• Experience working within a global product creation organisation and partnering across Design disciplines, Product Management, Development, and other cross-functional teams.


• Strong operational and strategic thinking with the ability to translate organisational needs into clear processes, priorities, and actions.


• Exceptional project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, dependencies, and stakeholders.


• Strong communication, facilitation, and influencing skills, with the ability to navigate complex conversations and build alignment across functions and levels.


• Demonstrated ability to identify inefficiencies, challenge existing ways of working, and drive practical solutions that improve organisational performance.


• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, balanced with the ability to understand the broader business context and prioritise what matters most.


• Ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with a high degree of ownership, accountability, and adaptability.


• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to use data and insights to inform decisions and recommendations.

Preferred Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Design, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Workplace

• Hybrid role based in Portland, Oregon, typically three times per week in the office, Tuesday to Thursday.

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive Pay and Bonuses: a variety of competitive compensation programmes designed to foster career development, reward success, and show employees they are valued.


• Financial Planning and Wellbeing: plans that provide ways to protect income, pay for expenses, and invest in the future.


• Time away from work: plans supporting employees' needs to spend time with family, focus on health, or recharge.


• Extras, discounts and perks: generous discounts, community-based programmes, and a variety of additional extras.


• Growth and Development: extensive opportunities and support for personal and professional development.


• Health and Wellness: comprehensive health and wellness programmes and offerings supporting a healthy lifestyle at work and at play.

About the Company

At Deckers Brands, Together, Every Step is a promise kept that every employee can bring their authentic self, is valued and supported, as a whole person, at work and beyond. Together, Every Step is how the company continues to deliver exceptional business results, experience an amazing place to work, and have a positive impact on the communities and world around us. Deckers Brands celebrates diversity of background, experience, and unique identity, and is committed to ensuring an inclusive and equitable workplace where all employees can Come as They Are.