Sr. Manager, Design Operations - HOKA

The Senior Manager, Design Operations will act as the driving force behind operational excellence for the HOKA Footwear Design organisation. The role collaborates with design leaders and cross-functional partners to optimise processes, establish effective operating practices, and ensure seamless execution throughout the product creation lifecycle. The purpose of the position is to 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.

The role reports to the Director, Product Operations - HOKA.

• Lead the operational cadence across Footwear Design, including Product, Colour, Material, and Digital Concept Design, ensuring readiness for seasonal planning, milestones, and key meetings.
• Establish and evolve design processes and operating procedures that improve organisational 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 organisational change by simplifying ways of working and influencing adoption of best practices.
• Optimise systems, tools, and resources to enable efficient execution and leverage technology and automation for improved productivity.
• Develop reporting frameworks and performance metrics to measure organisational health and support strategic planning through data-driven insights.

• 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 organisational improvements.
• Experience working within a global product creation organisation and partnering across Design disciplines, Product Management, Development, and other cross-functional teams.
• Strong operational and strategic thinking with the ability to translate organisational 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 organisational performance.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, balanced with the ability to understand the broader business context and prioritise 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.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Design, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Hybrid role based in Portland, Oregon, typically three times per week in the office, Tuesday to Thursday.

• Competitive Pay and Bonuses: a variety of competitive compensation programmes designed to…