Lead Product Developer - HOKA Innovation

Deckers•Portland, OR

9h•Hybrid

About The Position

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. The Role As Lead Product Developer – HOKA Innovation, you’ll help shape the next generation of footwear by translating athlete needs into advanced product opportunities. You’ll lead the development of breakthrough concepts from ideation to performance-validated prototypes, collaborating with a team of innovators to transform athlete experiences through radical product solutions. 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.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required
6+ years progressive experience in the footwear industry for a global company
Experience leading projects with global development teams, including Asia factories and suppliers
Examples of innovative product creation, beyond briefed or seasonal product
Creatively agile and adept in innovative thinking, vision, and problem solving
Curiosity to uncover new possibilities and solution spaces
Ability to realize ideas through tangible demonstrators and prototypes
Knowledge of fundamental athletic footwear constructions, materials, and manufacturing processes
Proficiency in footwear development leading cross-functional creation teams, including Asia sourcing teams and vendors
Systematic approaches to prototyping creation and testing, optimizing product features by designing sample matrixes and testing plans
Empathetic and inclusive approach to teamwork, mentorship, and partnerships
Ability to work well and adapt with a diverse range of personality types and working styles across cultures and geographies
Willingness to embrace new creation approaches and philosophies
Proven ability to concisely articulate success criteria for a project
Ability to create and track clear project plans with near-term objectives week-to-week
Support, encourage, and motivate global development and cross-functional project teams

Nice To Haves

Master’s, MBA, or PhD preferred
Any function-related certifications preferred

Responsibilities

Develop next-generation footwear concepts, from ideation to performance-validated prototypes
Support HOKA Innovation team members through rapid prototyping with a hands-on approach
Create systematic samples and experiments to iterate toward target performance metrics
Connect athlete problems to novel constructions, manufacturing techniques, and advanced materials
Bring an entrepreneurial mindset, continuously seeking new ways to create product differentiation and define new business models
Guide cross-functional creation teams to shape radical concepts from raw insights, ensuring clear hypotheses and goals
Create and communicate short- and long-term project plans, ensuring projects meet business needs and athlete performance targets
Drive critical path activities and solve problems to reach the next milestone of innovation readiness
Establish trusted relationships and communication channels with product teams and sourcing partners to understand business landscape, product gaps, and opportunities for innovation
Partner with inline Product Development teams to successfully transition concepts for commercialization
Facilitate strong connections with sports marketing counterparts and athletes to build insights
Scout, vet, and onboard new vendors and technology partners—local and global—to stay ahead of industry trends