Sr. Manager, Design Operations - HOKA

Deckers•Portland, OR

6d•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 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.

Requirements

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.

Responsibilities

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.