Manager Product Engineering (Hoka & UGG)

The Role:

To manage the engineering and support the development and commercialization of Hoka & UGG's highly technical and franchise models from brief hand-off to Tech 1 and Ready to Buy (RTB) approval to elevate total builds in creating world class performance Footwear. Provide professional support and technical expertise as well as Hoka & UGG brand specific knowledge to both US and Asia partners to support the brand’s seasonal and long-term goals.

Responsibilities:

OPERATIONS AND DELIVERY

• Manage the collaboration of US & Asia Development, Engineering, Materials Development and Compound teams during Design stage to facilitate pattern, material and component trials earlier in the development season.

• Through this early collaboration identify any potential risks and provide technical support to clarify any issues prior to Tech-Pack hand-off.

• Analyze Tech-Packs and subsequent revisions to provide US Development, Engineering, Materials Development and PLMs/product Design teams with alternative suggestions in constructions, materials, costing, duty mitigation, etc.

• Support teardown and T1 meetings with Development, Material Development, Commercialization, Production, QA and factories’ Production & QA teams by providing improvement suggestions on patterns, mold processes, materials, manufacturing processes, costing and end use performance.

• Partner with Development to manage the diagnosis of fit/wear and commercialization issues to ensure products are proven and tested for successful commercialization and mass production.

• Partner with Development to manage the execution of the Tech 1 sample process and ensure T1 approval and on-time RTB for production purchase order release and timely hand-off to Commercialization and Production teams.

• Manage and supervise the creation of sample and production manufacturing SOP's.

COLLABORATION AND TEAM BUILDING

• Provide expertise, knowledge, and guidance for alternatives in constructions, materials, costing, duties, etc.

• Create and lead a culture for problem-solving by identifying issues, presenting solutions and options to team members and external stakeholders.

• Coach, mentor, and develop team members to support and develop Deckers Supply Chain’s cross brand competencies.

• Encourage the exploration of new ideas and share findings to team members and external partners.

• Develop and maintain productive, effective and professional relationships with peers, superiors, factories, and others. Always represent the company in a positive and supportive manner.

• Work closely with functional departments within the BU (such as costing, factory planning, fit, mold lead) and the central functions outside the BU (such as SCOE, PST, RTB, Bottoms Team, Lab & Innovation).

• Manage and facilitate communication & collaboration with key stakeholders including US Development, Engineering, Design, Merchandising and HOKA Asia departments both within and outside the Business Units to Manage decision-making and problem solving.

• Be a trusted partner of Development, Commercialization, Engineering, Material Development, QA, Production, US HQ and Business Unit leaders.

PROCESSES AND BEST PRACTICES

• Identify product improvement opportunities and work with Engineering Best Practices and Development to manage the implementation of construction Best Practices and process enhancements.

• Manage the implementation of overarching brand initiatives that cascade to the entire product line to improve fit, construction types, material choices, performance and methods of make.

• Partner with Engineering Best Practices department and strategic Tier 2 suppliers to manage long-term projects that can be commercialized and scaled for production.

• Manage the launch of construction best practices by category that provide and improve consistency in fit and performance.

• Create and align processes, project workloads, assignments, cross-functional interactions and deadlines to meet defined deliverables.

TRAINING

• Travel to factories, suppliers, and US HQ as necessary.

• Proactively seek, evaluate and understand new materials, components, technologies, products and methods of make relevant to the industry and share insights with the Development teams to influence and elevate product offerings.

• Attend training classes, workshops, conferences and summits to acquire and enhance relevant technical skills.

Education/Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Design, Textile Engineering or equivalent work experience.

Work Experience:

• 10+ years experience in the footwear industry with concentration in Development, Commercialization, Production or Quality Assurance

• 3-5 years experience managing staff

• In-depth knowledge of material applications for product use

• In-depth knowledge of product constructions

• In-depth knowledge of Development seasonal calendars and expected deliverables at key milestones

Skills/Competencies:

• All leaders at Deckers Brands must be able to demonstrate our leadership behaviors –

o Come As You Are

o Better Together

o Commit To Create

o Own It

o Do Good and Do Great

• Highly intelligent, self-directing and self-confident leader.

• Effective team building, project management and organizational skills.

• Effective communicator and a good problem solver

• Driven for excellence, a self-starter and leader

• Ability to plan with foresight and anticipate impact of expected results

• Ability to manage and work in a multi-tasked, fast paced environment with minimal supervision.

• 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 Senior management, HQ team and other employees of the organization.

• In-depth knowledge of materials, lasts, molds, compound development, foot anatomy

• In-depth knowledge of the tools of the trade including calipers, hardness gauge, tape measure, profile gauge, Brannock device, etc.

• In-depth knowledge of Microsoft Applications and PLM systems

• Excellent written and verbal English skills

• Excellent written and verbal Mandarin skills are preferred  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to see, hear, speak and write clearly in order to communicate with employees and/or other customers.

• Manual dexterity required.

Benefits:

• 13th salary & incentive bonus

• Salary review every year

• Full paid social insurance

• Additional health care insurance for employee & dependent

• 12 days of vacation per year

• Teambuilding/Annual party/others activities

• Birthday & anniversary allowance

• Working hours: Working time (8 hours), Monday to Friday.