Sr. Manager, Product Development - Teva Innovation & Collaboration

About the role

The Sr. Manager, Product Development – TEVA Innovation & Collaboration leads the development and execution of advanced concepts, athlete-driven initiatives, collaborations, and innovation product programs. This role partners closely with product line management, design, digital product creation (3D), materials, engineering, sourcing, athletes, corporate innovation, and external partners to evaluate and integrate new technologies and material advancements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Innovation & Collaboration product development teams through hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, succession planning, and career development.
• Establish team operating excellence by setting rhythms, development processes, and decision-making frameworks that improve prioritization, resource allocation, communication, and cross-functional alignment.
• Drive organizational capability and continuous improvement by identifying and implementing opportunities to enhance product development effectiveness and business outcomes.
• Lead advanced concepts, athlete, and innovation product development from ideation to commercialization readiness, translating consumer insights and emerging technologies into viable solutions.
• Guide collaborations and special make-up (SMU) product development, aligning strategies and priorities to deliver products that meet brand, consumer, and commercialization objectives.
• Drive product development strategy and execution, leading planning, resource prioritization, and portfolio management to ensure successful innovation initiatives.
• Lead sample development and execution activities, ensuring products progress efficiently through milestones and commercialization requirements.
• Ensure product validation and readiness through fit, wear, material, and product testing, overseeing specifications and documentation for compliance and successful launches.
• Drive cross-functional alignment and risk management, collaborating across teams and communicating priorities, risks, and decisions to support quality and timeline adherence.
• Partner with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders to align on best practices, tools, processes, and standards that support product development and commercialization objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across product development, innovation, collaborations, and 3D-enabled workflows to enhance efficiency, quality, and execution.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, materials science, engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience in footwear.
• Advanced degree in business, supply chain, material science, engineering, or related field preferred but not required.
• Bilingual in English and Mandarin Chinese or Vietnamese preferred but not required.
• Certification in Lean Six Sigma, AI automation, sustainability (HIGG/Worldly), or PLM (Flex/Centric) systems preferred but not required.
• 10+ years of experience in product development, innovation, collaborations, materials, or sourcing within global footwear organizations.
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience leading teams, managing cross-functional initiatives, and driving organizational outcomes.
• Demonstrated financial acumen, including budget management, resource planning, and balancing investment decisions.
• Proven experience leading advanced concepts, innovation, athlete-driven initiatives, collaborations, SMUs, or comparable product development programs from ideation through commercialization.
• Strong track record of partnering with internal stakeholders, external organizations, athletes, and vendor partners while managing multiple product categories and development priorities.
• Proven leadership capabilities with a track record of building high-performing teams, driving change, and delivering innovation and commercialization objectives.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and advanced experience with FlexPLM or similar Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems; experience with Adobe Illustrator, Rhino, Vizcom, Cinema 4D, or similar Digital Product Creation (3D) platforms is preferred but not required.
• Advanced product development expertise with in-depth knowledge of footwear construction, materials, prototyping, sample development, and commercialization processes.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate opportunities, manage risk, and make informed business decisions in complex environments.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to effectively engage cross-functional teams, external partners, and senior leadership.
• Strong analytical capabilities with experience evaluating product performance, development metrics, quality, cost implications, and commercialization readiness.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and timelines while maintaining alignment to business objectives and seasonal calendars.
• Experience leveraging consumer insights, emerging technologies, materials innovation, and 3D-enabled workflows to support product development and decision-making.
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills with experience working across product line management, design, materials, engineering, sourcing, athletes, vendor partners, and external organizations.
• Demonstrated adaptability, creativity, and continuous improvement mindset in driving innovation and product development excellence.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in product development, innovation, collaborations, materials, or sourcing within global footwear organizations.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience leading teams, managing cross-functional initiatives, and driving organizational outcomes.
• Proven experience leading advanced concepts, innovation, athlete-driven initiatives, collaborations, SMUs, or comparable product development programs from ideation through commercialization.
• Strong track record of partnering with internal stakeholders, external organizations, athletes, and vendor partners while managing multiple product categories and development priorities.
• Proven leadership capabilities with a track record of building high-performing teams, driving change, and delivering innovation and commercialization objectives.
• Experience leveraging consumer insights, emerging technologies, materials innovation, and 3D-enabled workflows to support product development and decision-making.
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills with experience working across product line management, design, materials, engineering, sourcing, athletes, vendor partners, and external organizations.
• Demonstrated adaptability, creativity, and continuous improvement mindset in driving innovation and product development excellence.

Skills

• Product development expertise with in-depth knowledge of footwear construction, materials, prototyping, sample development, and commercialization processes.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate opportunities, manage risk, and make informed business decisions in complex environments.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to effectively engage cross-functional teams, external partners, and senior leadership.
• Strong analytical capabilities with experience evaluating product performance, development metrics, quality, cost implications, and commercialization readiness.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and timelines while maintaining alignment to business objectives and seasonal calendars.
• Experience leveraging consumer insights, emerging technologies, materials innovation, and 3D-enabled workflows to support product development and decision-making.
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills with experience working across product line management, design, materials, engineering, sourcing, athletes, vendor partners, and external organizations.
• Demonstrated adaptability, creativity, and continuous improvement mindset in driving innovation and product development excellence.

Benefits

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.

$137,500.00 - $185,600.00 The salary range posted reflects the estimated minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for this role in: Goleta, California Individual pay will be determined by location and additional factors, including job related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.