Job Title: Product Developer II, Hoka Footwear

Reports to: Director of Product Development, Hoka

Location: Portland, OR

The Role

The Product Developer II for Hoka drives the product creation process from design stage through salesman samples and the timely approval of production confirmation samples. The Product Developer’s role is to facilitate communication & collaboration with key stakeholders to drive decision-making along the way. The product developer ensures all projects meet brand & consumer needs and can be mass produced on time at targeted costs. The Product Developer strives for continuous improvement in all areas of product creation.

Your Impact.

The primary functions of this role, include but are not limited to:

• Manage the product creation process from brief stage and design through final prototyping and salesman samples.
• Problem-solve design tech packages prior to hand-off for potential construction, material, fit & wear or cost concerns.
• Generate and maintain correct Bill of Materials (BOM) for all projects.
• Review and evaluate project status with the product creation and development teams with focus on patterns, mold processes, materials, pricing, yield & cost analysis, manufacturing processes and end use performance.
• Lead product teardowns of samples or competitor product to evaluate construction, comfort or cast concerns.
• Pro-actively problem-solve by identifying issues and presenting solutions options to team-mates.
• Provide PLMs/product design with alternatives in constructions, materials, costing, duties, etc.
• Review technical drawings, lab tests, patterns, components and lasts to identify issues.
• Plan and execute development projects according to critical timelines and preplanned dates.
• Lead and facilitate timely creation, delivery, and approval of all relevant technical information (shell patterns, 2D’s, 3D’s, lasts, patterns, blue-prints, cost sheets, etc.)
• Manage the diagnosis of fit/wear and commercialization issues and ensure that product offerings are proven and tested successfully commercialized and mass production.
• Manage sample delivery to ensure all meeting dates are hit.
• Manage and execute timely approval of production confirmation samples to ensure a smooth transition into commercialization.
• Strive for continuous improvement in production through periodic examination of defective returns.
• Proactively seek evaluate and monitor new technologies relevant to the industry.
• Travel to development factories and trade shows, as necessary.
• Assist in training and mentoring new team members.

Who You Are

• Driven for excellence, a self-starter, and a leader.
• Ability to work in a complex global organization satisfying the needs of diverse constituents with competing deadlines and priorities.
• Effective team building, project management and organizational skills
• Excellent problem-solving abilities.

We’d love to hear from people with

• Bachelor’s Degree or relevant work experience
• 5-8 years’ experience in the footwear industry preferably in development, commercialization or production of performance running shoes.
• Experience building product specifications while meeting seasonal calendar timelines.
• Experience reviewing costing and testing information to identify potential solutions/improvements.
• Contemporary knowledge of product construction, materials, design applications, and molding
• Experience traveling to and/or working with overseas factory development centers.
• Possible Running background and/or Running Specialty retail experience.

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.
•  

The purpose of this role is to act as the “general contractor of shoe building” by facilitating the product creation process from brief hand-off, through design, prototyping, materialization, costing, fit & wear testing, and the production ready to buy stage.

To be successful one mut be able to manage and work in a complex global organization satisfying the needs of diverse constituents with competing deadlines and priorities. Being well organized, with a strong attention to detail and a problem-solving mindset are all important qualities.

The fulfillment of this role often comes when seeing concepts move from ideation to sketches to samples and then to shoes in stores and on the feet of athletes around the world.

A typical workday might be spent reviewing designs, researching materials, creating BOMs (Bill of Materials), reviewing fit-tests and consulting with our Asia team on samples, etc.

The most challenging part of this role can often be the seasonal overlaps of calendars and the management of priorities.

The role collaborates frequently with internal stakeholders such as product design, product line managers, the materials team, the costing team, the fit & wear team, etc., the Asia development team. The role also collaborates with external factory partners and suppliers.

Skills/Knowledge/Behavior:

• Ability to manage work in a multi-tasked, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to manage and work in a complex global organization satisfying the needs of diverse constituents with competing deadlines and priorities.
• Ability to effectively prepare and present information and respond to questions from management, clients, and other employees of the organization.
• Ability to communicate visually with Illustrator & Photoshop.
• Effective empowering communicator, good problem solver
• Highly intelligent, self-directing and self-confident.
• Effective team building, project management and organizational skills
• Excellent written and verbal skill
• Driven for excellence, a self-starter and leader.
• Ability to plan with foresight and anticipate impact of expected results.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities.
• In-depth knowledge of all leathers, materials, last types, molds, compound development, foot anatomy
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Proficient in various Microsoft Applications

Equal Employment Opportunity

Diversity and inclusion are key to our success. 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 of the other beautiful parts of your identity.