Q: What has your career path looked like at Deckers?
A: I started in 2012 and was initially hired as a “product developer” to work on technical weather product for UGG (all genders). However, I was given the opportunity to expand my role and work on other categories that I was interested in (such as sneakers and sandals). After a couple of seasons, I was promoted to senior product developer… and as the brand continued to evolve, I shifted focus to the men’s product range. I was then promoted to Product Development manager and was put in charge of UGG men’s product development. This was a great opportunity as company was looking to invest in and grow the men’s product range. I am now a Senior Product Development manager and continue to be in charge of UGG men’s product development. However, I am also working on collaborations and women’s projects produced outside of Asia. It’s an exciting time to be at the brand as it continues to grow/evolve.
Q: What’s your favorite part about working on the Product Development team at Deckers?
A: I love the wide range of product that we work on and the premium materials. Most people think of UGG as sheepskin boots. However, we make everything from sandals to waterproof boots (with Gore-Tex membranes) to slippers to sneakers to high fashion products. Therefore, I am continuously learning and am able to explore new construction techniques and materials.
Q: What is your proudest moment in your career?
A: The first time I saw a random person on the street wearing a shoe that I had developed. It gave me a sense of pride… as I was part of a team that helped bring it to life.
Q: What advice would you give to job seekers interested in working in Product Development at Deckers?
A: In addition to having a passion about product, it is important to enjoy working in a dynamic work environment that continues to evolve. As a product developer, you are working with people from different backgrounds and cultures on a daily basis. We work closely with designers, product line managers, costing, marketing, sales, planning departments, factory developers in Asia, commercialization teams, quality control, and several other departments. Therefore, it is important to recognize and appreciate the different perspectives/ideas.
Q: What are your goals for the Deckers Product Development team in 2021?
A: There are many goals… but below are a few key items:
• Promote a culture of continuous learning. We should always be looking for ways to improve our products (new and carryovers).
• Support the company wide sustainability initiatives. As a product developer, we have direct impact on this goal… so it’s rewarding to see how little changes that we make can have a big impact.
• Continue to invest in current and future growth drivers. This is the fun part where we get to trial new/innovative concepts each season.
Q: What is your favorite Deckers product and why?
A: My favorite product has not been released… so I cannot talk about it online yet. However, if you look at the products currently available on the website, I really enjoyed the recent collaboration that we did with Stampd (https://www.ugg.com/stampd/). Chris is a great person to work with… and I love the style and functionality of each product. For me, it’s not enough to make a shoe that just “looks good”. It needs to have a purpose and a functionality… and these kind of checked all of the boxes (look good, comfortable, waterproof features, insulating, used sustainable materials, durable, etc..).
Another product that I am proud of is the Emmett Duck Boot. For this style, we were challenged to provide all of the features/benefits of a $200+ snow boot… but at a more accessible price for the consumer. We definitely achieved this.
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