Sr. Materials Design Manager - UGG

Deckers Brands•Goleta, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

As Sr. Material Design Manager, you will lead the strategic direction and execution of material design for Women’s, Men’s, and Kid’s across the UGG footwear brand. You’ll translate consumer, market, and trend insights into innovative and commercially relevant material solutions, drive seasonal material storytelling and palettes, and partner cross-functionally to ensure alignment with design vision, product goals, cost, and timelines. You’ll connect research, creativity, and execution to deliver impactful material strategies across the full product line. Deckers Brands is committed to ensuring an inclusive and equitable workplace where all employees can bring their authentic selves, are valued and supported, and contribute to delivering exceptional business results and having a positive impact.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
8+ years’ experience in material design or related field
2+ years people management experience
Advanced understanding of footwear construction, materials, and process
Proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Keynote

Responsibilities

Lead the materials team, setting material direction and strategy based on the creative vision set by design leadership
Drive ongoing, year-round material trend research, identifying and synthesizing key insights, and presenting relevant material trends to inform strategic direction and innovation
Collaborate with material development team to achieve design intent and manage expectations set forth by footwear briefs
Pioneer new 3D tools and support CAD creation process
Supervise external material resources, contractors, and vendors, building strong relationships and challenging them when necessary
Enforce deadlines for key deliverables and lead creation of seasonal material palette, sharing structure with key stakeholders
Deliver compelling presentations to inform broader teams on seasonal material direction and reasoning
Present merchandized range internally and externally to key stakeholders
Oversee the organization and upkeep of material library in the design studio, ensuring materials are systematically arranged, regularly updated, and accessible
Follow up with design team on project execution, interpretation of seasonal direction, and cross-functional interactions
Organize and follow up with material development team, product/development interactions, and deadlines
Execute and lead seasonal inspiration planning with design and product leadership
Present seasonal material trend insights to the triad, synthesizing inputs from leather fairs, runway, and broader market trends
Lead material palette build out, providing material insights and direction at brand level
Set brand material strategy for the entire product line, guided by design leadership’s seasonal direction
Present seasonal themes and design direction along with key insights at key touch points internally and externally
Manage upstream communications with design, material development, and product leadership
Collaborate with Material Development, Product Development, and PLM team leadership to strategize how to meet product briefs at target cost
Oversee communications of material development team with broader members of the product triad
Work with PLM/Merch leadership to ensure a cohesive range is developed to meet commercial needs
Maintain expert level knowledge of current consumer and market trends and interpret those trends into commercial product
Manage relevant trends in material and finish in advance of how those are incorporated appropriately in the range
Ensure samples are organized with design team
Attend seasonal kickoff and necessary travel, including leather fairs for inspiration and research