Sr. Manager, Design Operations - HOKA

Deckers Brands; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 138,000 - 186,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Wellbeing programs

Time off

Discounts & perks

Growth opportunities

Wellness programs

Job summary

Deckers Brands in Portland, OR, is seeking a Sr. Manager, Design Operations for the HOKA team.

You will drive operational excellence across the Footwear Design organization, collaborating with design leaders and cross-functional partners to optimize processes and enable on-time delivery of seasonal objectives. The role blends process improvement with change management, standardizing workflows, and planning milestones across Product, Color, Material, and Digital Concept Design, while supporting

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, Design, or related field preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in operations, design operations, product creation, or related function.
• Experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives and driving process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational cadence across Footwear Design, including Product, Color, Material, and Digital Concept Design.
• Establish and evolve design processes and operating procedures for efficiency.
• Identify pain points and implement improvements to strengthen cross-functional alignment.
• Plan and execute seasonal design milestones with leadership.
• Drive Go-To-Market process alignment and accountability.

Skills

Design operations

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Communication

Analytical thinking

Strategic thinking

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, Design

Job description

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 we continue to deliver exceptional business results, experience an amazing place to work, and have a positive impact on the communities and world around us.

Job Title: Sr. Manager, Design Operations - HOKA

Reports to: Director, Product Operations - HOKA

Location: Portland, OR (Hybrid) Typically 3 times per week in office, Tuesday – Thursday

The Role: As the Sr. Design Operations Manager, you will be the driving force behind operational excellence for the HOKA Footwear Design organization. You’ll collaborate with design leaders and cross-functional partners to optimize processes, establish effective operating practices, and ensure seamless execution throughout the product creation lifecycle. Your work will 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.

We celebrate diversity--of your background, your experiences and your unique identity. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and equitable workplace where all of our employees can Come as They Are. We believe that when we bring our different perspectives to work, we are truly Better Together.

Your Impact

• Lead the operational cadence across Footwear Design, including Product, Color, Material, and Digital Concept Design, ensuring readiness for seasonal planning, milestones, and key meetings.
• Establish and evolve design processes and operating procedures that improve organizational 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 organizational change by simplifying ways of working and influencing adoption of best practices.
• Optimize systems, tools, and resources to enable efficient execution and leverage technology and automation for improved productivity.
• Develop reporting frameworks and performance metrics to measure organizational health and support strategic planning through data-driven insights.

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, Design, or a related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 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 organizational improvements.
• Experience working within a global product creation organization and partnering across Design disciplines, Product Management, Development, and other cross-functional teams.
• Strong operational and strategic thinking with the ability to translate organizational 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 organizational performance.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, balanced with the ability to understand the broader business context and prioritize 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.

What We’ll Give You

• Competitive Pay and Bonuses - We’ve created a variety of competitive compensation programs to foster career development, reward success and to show our employees just how much they’re valued.
• Financial Planning and wellbeing - No matter what financial goals our employees have set, we want to help them get there. Our plans provide powerful ways to protect income, pay for expenses and invest in the future.
• Time away from work - Sometimes we need time away to be with family, focus on our health or just simply recharge. Our plans support our employees’ needs to get out, get healthy and come back stronger than ever.
• Extras, discounts and perks - Being a valued member of the Deckers Brands team means more than just a paycheck. From generous discounts to community-based programs, we offer a variety of cool extras.
• Growth and Development - Deckers Brands was built on the idea of pursuing passion. That’s why we offer extensive opportunities and support for personal and professional development.
• Health and Wellness - There’s nothing basic about our comprehensive health and wellness programs and offerings. While at work and at play, we aim to support a healthy lifestyle.

$137,500.00 - $185,600.00 The salary range posted reflects the estimated minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for this role in: Portland, Oregon Individual pay will be determined by location and additional factors, including job related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and our employees are people with different strengths, experiences and backgrounds who share a passion for our brands. We welcome qualified applicants regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, mental or physical disability, medical condition and all the other beautiful parts of your identity.

More than Just a Footwear Company

From our corporate offices to our global retail stores, there’s a curious, independent spirit that’s distinctively Deckers Brands. We’re about giving people the freedom to pursue their passions. And we’re committed to helping them succeed; to become their best selves. That’s why we’re about more than work, the 9 to 5 or daily grind. We’re about opportunity - opportunity to create, to grow and to have an impact. As we work to become better at everything we do, how we better the world matters, too. Our products and brands are loved, no doubt about it. But the difference we make in people’s lives begins with our people, right here at Deckers Brands. We’re adventurous, spirited, unafraid of new challenges and willing to take chances. We are always ready to rally around a cause. Put simply, we want all of our people to thrive - to reach their full potential and have fun while doing it. Because in the end, Deckers thrives when our people thrive.