Sr. Materials Design Manager - UGG

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Materials Design Manager - UGG

Company: Deckers Brands

Location: Goleta, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Design Operations / Product Development Management

Date Posted: April 20, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic direction and execution of material design for the UGG footwear brand across Women's, Men's, and Kid's categories, driving innovation and commercial relevance.

• Drive year-round material trend research, synthesizing key insights to inform strategic direction and product innovation.

• Collaborate closely with material development and product development teams to translate design intent into commercially viable solutions, managing expectations and ensuring alignment with brand vision.

• Oversee the creation and management of seasonal material palettes and storytelling, presenting compelling insights to broader teams and key stakeholders.

• Manage external material resources, contractors, and vendors, fostering strong relationships and ensuring quality and timely delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the provided job description is for a Materials Design Manager, the core responsibilities and required skills heavily align with operational excellence in product development and GTM strategy. This enhancement focuses on framing the role through an operations lens, emphasizing process, strategy, and cross-functional execution within the product lifecycle. The "Operations Category" has been defined as "Design Operations / Product Development Management" to reflect this focus.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and execute the overarching material strategy for the UGG brand, aligning with design leadership's seasonal direction and overall brand vision.

• Conduct comprehensive material trend research, including leather fairs, runway analysis, and market trend synthesis, translating findings into actionable insights for the design and product teams.

• Lead the development of seasonal material palettes, ensuring cohesive storytelling and commercial relevance across all product lines.

• Collaborate with material development teams to source, test, and validate new materials, ensuring they meet design intent, performance requirements, cost targets, and sustainability goals.

• Oversee and manage relationships with external material suppliers, contractors, and vendors, negotiating terms, ensuring quality, and driving innovation.

• Partner with Product Development, PLM, and Merchandising leadership to ensure a cohesive and commercially viable product range that meets business objectives and target costs.

• Champion the adoption of new technologies, including 3D design tools, to enhance the material design and visualization process.

• Maintain and organize the material library within the design studio, ensuring systematic arrangement, regular updates, and accessibility for the design team.

• Present seasonal material direction, insights, and finalized palettes to internal and external stakeholders, including the broader design team, product triads, and potentially retail partners.

• Follow up on project execution, ensuring the design team's interpretation of seasonal direction is accurately implemented and integrated into cross-functional processes.

• Organize and manage the material development team's interactions with product and development teams, ensuring timely delivery of samples and adherence to project timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The original responsibilities have been rephrased and expanded to highlight the operational aspects of managing material strategy, cross-functional collaboration, vendor relations, and process adherence. Emphasis is placed on strategic planning, execution, and performance management, which are key to operations roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in material design, material development, or a closely related field within the footwear or apparel industry.

• Minimum of 2 years of direct people management experience, demonstrating the ability to lead, mentor, and develop a team.

• Proven track record in developing and executing material strategies that have successfully informed product lines and driven commercial success.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Keynote for visual presentations, mood boards, and technical material specifications.

• Strong strategic planning and analytical skills to research trends, synthesize insights, and translate them into actionable material strategies.

• Excellent leadership and team management abilities, including experience in mentoring, performance management, and fostering a collaborative team environment.

• Robust project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize effectively, and meet strict deadlines.

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex material concepts and strategic direction clearly to diverse audiences.

• Proven experience in vendor management, including sourcing, negotiation, relationship building, and performance evaluation.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with 3D design software for material visualization and prototyping.

• Knowledge of sustainability practices and materials within the footwear industry.

• Familiarity with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems for material tracking and data management.

• Experience in managing external contractors or agencies for specialized material development or research.

• A keen eye for detail and a passion for material innovation and aesthetic excellence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications have been expanded to include specific operations-relevant skills such as strategic planning, project management, and vendor management. The emphasis on footwear construction and material properties is crucial for this specialized role, and the preferred skills highlight technologies and practices common in modern product development operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct projects demonstrating a strategic approach to material design and development for footwear.

• For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, the material strategy employed, the research and insights that informed the strategy, and the execution process.

• Highlight examples of material innovation, including the introduction of new materials or the creative application of existing ones.

• Include evidence of cross-functional collaboration, illustrating how you partnered with design, product development, and other teams to achieve objectives.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of structured material research processes, including how trends were identified, analyzed, and translated into actionable design directions.

• Showcase workflow diagrams or descriptions of how material development projects were managed from concept to final sample approval, including key milestones and decision points.

• Detail experience in establishing and maintaining material libraries, including systems for organization, tracking, and accessibility.

• Present examples of how you have collaborated with material suppliers and vendors to drive innovation, ensure quality, and manage timelines and costs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is tailored to a role where tangible output and process demonstration are key. The requirements focus on showcasing strategic thinking, execution capabilities, and collaborative processes, which are vital for operations professionals to demonstrate their impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $122,300.00 - $165,000.00 USD per year

Benefits:

• Competitive Pay and Bonuses: Participation in various competitive compensation programs designed for career development and rewarding success.

• Financial Planning and Wellbeing: Access to financial planning tools and programs to support income protection, expense management, and future investments.

• Time Away from Work: Comprehensive plans for time off, supporting employees' needs for family, health, and personal recharge.

• Extras, Discounts, and Perks: Generous employee discounts on Deckers Brands products and participation in community-based programs.

• Growth and Development: Extensive opportunities and support for personal and professional development, fostering a culture of continuous learning and career advancement.

• Health and Wellness: Comprehensive health and wellness programs and offerings designed to support a healthy lifestyle both at work and outside of work.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (standard full-time) with a hybrid work arrangement, typically requiring 3 days in the office (Tuesday-Thursday).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided in the input has been directly incorporated. The benefits section has been elaborated to give a clearer picture of the value proposition beyond just the salary, highlighting aspects relevant to employee well-being and professional growth, which are important considerations for operations professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Footwear & Apparel Retail. Deckers Brands is renowned for its portfolio of iconic lifestyle brands, including UGG, Hoka, Teva, and Sanuk, operating within a highly competitive and trend-driven market. The company's success relies on innovation, brand storytelling, and efficient go-to-market strategies.

Company Size: Large (typically over 10,000 employees, based on typical Deckers Brands data), indicating a structured environment with established processes and opportunities for specialization.

Founded: 1973. With a long history, Deckers Brands has evolved significantly, demonstrating adaptability and a strong foundation in product innovation and brand building. This longevity suggests a stable, yet dynamic, corporate culture.

Team Structure:

• The Sr. Materials Design Manager reports to the Sr. Director, Design - UGG Women's Footwear, indicating a clear reporting hierarchy within the design function.

• This role is expected to lead a materials team, implying direct management responsibilities and the need to coordinate efforts with other designers and developers.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Trend Analysis: The role emphasizes continuous, year-round material trend research, synthesizing insights from various sources (leather fairs, runway, market trends) to inform strategic decisions.

• Collaborative Product Development: A strong emphasis is placed on partnering with multiple departments (Design, Material Development, Product Development, PLM, Merchandising) to ensure alignment from concept to commercialization.

• Process Optimization: The role involves streamlining workflows, managing deadlines, and potentially implementing new technologies (like 3D tools) to enhance efficiency and product quality.

Company Website: https://www.deckers.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides context about Deckers Brands, its industry position, and its operational environment. It infers typical team structures and methodologies based on the role's responsibilities and the company's profile, crucial for understanding how operations functions within the organization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Management position, indicating a significant level of responsibility and autonomy. It sits at the intersection of creative design and operational execution, requiring both strategic vision and tactical implementation skills. The role manages a team and influences brand-level material strategy, placing it within the senior leadership track for product development and design operations.

Reporting Structure: The Sr. Materials Design Manager reports directly to the Sr. Director of Design for UGG Women's Footwear. This implies a direct line of communication with senior leadership and a key role in translating high-level design objectives into executable material plans. The manager will also be responsible for overseeing and guiding a team of material design professionals.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and substantial impact on the UGG brand's product offerings, profitability, and market perception. By driving material innovation, ensuring quality, managing costs effectively, and aligning with design vision, this position influences product competitiveness, consumer appeal, and ultimately, revenue generation. Strategic material choices can also impact sustainability efforts and brand positioning.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to advance to higher leadership roles within the UGG design or product development organization, such as Sr. Director of Materials or Head of Product Development, overseeing broader product categories or functions.

• Cross-Brand Exposure: Opportunity to leverage expertise gained within UGG to contribute to material strategy initiatives across other Deckers Brands portfolio companies, fostering broader organizational impact.

• Specialization in Sustainable Materials: With the growing importance of sustainability, there's an opportunity to become a subject matter expert in eco-friendly materials and processes, driving innovation in this critical area.

• Strategic Influence: Continued development in strategic planning and cross-functional leadership can lead to greater involvement in long-term brand strategy and product roadmap development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis frames the role within the context of an operations career path, highlighting leadership potential, strategic influence, and opportunities for specialization and advancement within Deckers Brands.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment. The role requires approximately 3 days per week in the Goleta, California office, with flexibility for remote work on other days. This setup aims to balance in-person collaboration and team synergy with individual focus time and flexibility.

Office Location(s): Goleta, California. This location is Deckers Brands' headquarters, suggesting a vibrant and well-resourced office environment with access to key decision-makers and cross-functional teams.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is designed for collaboration, particularly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, facilitating in-person meetings, brainstorming sessions, and team alignment crucial for dynamic product development.

• Design Studio Resources: The role involves managing a material library within the design studio, indicating access to a dedicated space equipped with material samples, research resources, and potentially design tools for hands-on work.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: Proximity to other departments such as Design, Product Development, Merchandising, and potentially Marketing, fosters seamless communication and integrated workflows.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, with the hybrid model allowing for a degree of flexibility in structuring the work week, accommodating the needs of material research and development alongside in-office collaboration requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment description emphasizes the operational benefits of the hybrid model for collaborative roles like this, focusing on how it supports team dynamics and resource accessibility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications, relevant experience, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into your experience, leadership style, strategic thinking, and understanding of material design principles. Expect questions about your approach to trend research, team management, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Team/Peer Interviews: Meetings with potential team members and cross-functional partners (e.g., from Product Development, Design) to evaluate your collaborative abilities, communication style, and cultural fit within the operations and design teams.

• Presentation/Case Study: A potential requirement to present a portfolio review or a case study demonstrating your approach to a material design challenge, showcasing your strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to articulate complex concepts.

• Final Round: Discussions with senior leadership to assess overall fit, strategic vision, and potential impact on the UGG brand.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your leadership in material strategy, innovation, and execution. Focus on depth over breadth, highlighting 3-5 impactful projects.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the context, your role, the challenges faced, the strategic approach taken (including research and insights), the execution process, and the quantifiable results or impact.

• Highlight Operations: Emphasize processes you developed or improved, how you managed timelines and budgets, your collaboration with cross-functional teams, and your vendor management strategies.

• Showcase Innovation: Include examples of novel material applications, sustainable material initiatives, or unique design solutions that demonstrate your forward-thinking approach.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is visually appealing, well-organized, and easy to navigate. Use high-quality imagery and concise descriptions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Business: Research Deckers Brands, the UGG brand's current market position, target audience, and recent product innovations.

• Material Trends: Be prepared to discuss current and emerging material trends in footwear, with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and performance.

• Process Thinking: Anticipate questions about how you would approach material strategy for a new product line, manage a team through a challenging development cycle, or resolve a material sourcing issue.

• Leadership Scenarios: Prepare examples of how you have led teams, managed conflict, motivated individuals, and driven results in operational settings.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice on navigating the interview process and preparing a portfolio, specifically tailored to a role that bridges creative design with operational execution. It emphasizes showcasing process, strategy, and impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency in Illustrator, Photoshop, and Keynote is a baseline requirement for creating visual assets, mood boards, technical specifications, and presentations.

• 3D Design Software: Experience with 3D tools (e.g., CLO3D, Browzwear, or similar) is preferred for visualizing materials and supporting CAD creation processes, enhancing design iteration and communication.

• Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Systems: Familiarity with PLM systems (e.g., Centric PLM, PTC FlexPLM) is beneficial for understanding how material data is managed, tracked, and integrated throughout the product development lifecycle.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Trend Research Platforms: Experience using platforms or services that provide market and trend intelligence (e.g., WGSN, Edited, internal trend reports) for informing material strategy.

• Internal Reporting Tools: Ability to utilize internal dashboards or reporting tools to track material development progress, supplier performance, and budget adherence.

CRM & Automation:

• Supplier/Vendor Management Platforms: While not traditional CRM, experience with platforms or systems used for managing supplier relationships, tracking orders, and monitoring performance is relevant.

• Project Management Software: Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com, or similar) is helpful for organizing tasks, managing timelines, and coordinating with the material development team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section outlines the typical technology stack for a senior role in product operations and design management, emphasizing tools used for creative output, process management, and data integration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Creativity: A strong drive to explore new materials, applications, and technologies to push the boundaries of footwear design.

• Collaboration & Partnership: A commitment to working effectively with cross-functional teams, fostering strong relationships with internal departments and external suppliers.

• Accountability & Ownership: Taking responsibility for material strategy, execution, and delivery, ensuring high standards of quality and timely completion.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing research, insights, and performance data to inform material choices and strategic direction.

• Efficiency & Process Improvement: Continuously seeking ways to optimize workflows, improve material development processes, and enhance overall operational effectiveness.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive & Transparent: Maintaining open lines of communication with all stakeholders, providing regular updates on material development progress, challenges, and opportunities.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with Design, Product Development, Merchandising, and PLM teams to ensure a unified approach to product creation.

• Constructive Feedback: Encouraging a culture of constructive feedback and continuous improvement within the team and with external partners.

• Strategic Alignment: Ensuring that all material decisions are aligned with the broader brand strategy, design vision, and commercial objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section interprets the company's likely cultural values through an operations lens, focusing on how these values translate into daily work practices, decision-making, and team interactions within a product development context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Commercial Viability: The constant challenge of introducing cutting-edge materials while ensuring they are cost-effective, scalable for production, and meet consumer expectations.

• Navigating Complex Supply Chains: Managing relationships with a global network of material suppliers, dealing with potential disruptions, quality inconsistencies, and lead time variability.

• Driving Sustainability Initiatives: Integrating sustainable materials and processes into the product line effectively, meeting brand commitments, and communicating these efforts authentically to consumers.

• Leading Through Change: Adapting to evolving market trends, new technologies (like advanced 3D design), and shifting consumer preferences while guiding the team through these changes.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent understanding and execution of material strategies across diverse departments with potentially competing priorities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Material Science & Sustainability: Deepening expertise in material innovation, performance testing, and sustainable sourcing through specialized courses, workshops, or industry certifications.

• Leadership Development Programs: Participating in Deckers Brands' internal leadership training to hone management skills, strategic planning capabilities, and change management expertise.

• Industry Conferences & Trade Shows: Attending key industry events (e.g., Lineapelle, Outdoor Retailer) to stay abreast of the latest material innovations, manufacturing technologies, and market trends.

• Mentorship Opportunities: Engaging with senior leaders within Deckers Brands for guidance on career progression, strategic thinking, and navigating complex business challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section identifies potential operational challenges inherent in a senior materials role within the footwear industry and outlines specific avenues for professional growth and skill enhancement relevant to operations professionals.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a seasonal material strategy for a major footwear brand. How do you balance trend forecasting with commercial realities and brand identity?" (Focus on your structured approach, research methodologies, and strategic decision-making framework.)

• "How have you managed and motivated a team of material designers or developers? Provide an example of a challenging team situation you resolved." (Highlight your leadership style, team-building strategies, and conflict resolution skills in an operational context.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Deckers Brands and the UGG brand's current market position? How would your material strategy align with our brand values and target consumer?" (Demonstrate your research and understanding of the business context and how your operational expertise can contribute.)

• "How do you ensure effective collaboration between design, material development, and product development teams to meet deadlines and quality standards?" (Explain your communication strategies and cross-functional process management approach.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Opening Hook: Start with a compelling overview of your leadership philosophy and approach to material operations.

• Case Study Deep Dive: For each selected project, clearly articulate the business problem, your strategic response (including research and insights), the operational execution (processes, collaboration, vendor management), and the measurable impact (e.g., cost savings, performance improvement, innovation adoption).

• Visual Storytelling: Use high-quality images, mood boards, and mock-ups to illustrate your material concepts and their application.

• Process Focus: Explicitly detail the processes you implemented or managed, emphasizing efficiency, quality control, and stakeholder alignment.

• Q&A Readiness: Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your decision-making, problem-solving, and operational execution for each project.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides targeted interview preparation advice, focusing on how to frame responses and present a portfolio to highlight operational leadership, strategic thinking, and execution capabilities relevant to a senior management role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-aligned position:

• Submit your application through the Deckers Brands career portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to specifically highlight your experience in material strategy, product development operations, team leadership, vendor management, and cross-functional collaboration within the footwear or apparel industry. Quantify your achievements wherever possible (e.g., "Reduced material costs by X%," "Introduced Y new sustainable materials").

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 8+ years of experience in materials design/development and your 2+ years of people management, using keywords found in the job description such as "material strategy," "product development," "trend research," "vendor management," and "Adobe Suite."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions. Prepare specific examples that showcase your strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, leadership capabilities, and understanding of operational processes in a product development context.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Deckers Brands and the UGG brand, focusing on their current market position, design philosophy, sustainability initiatives, and any recent product launches or strategic announcements. Understand how your role contributes to the company's overall business objectives.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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