Manager Product Testing
Boston, MA

Job Description

Purpose:

Drive continuous improvement of category specific testing for fit, comfort, performance and quality. Collaborate with the x-functional teams to ensure the appropriate level of testing is applied to product, based on product intention, product benefits and consumer profile. Highlight consumer feedback and place it as the priority during product creation. Accountable for testing contribution for category specific concepts and brand-driven projects by managing optimized testing protocols.

Key Responsibilities:

* Manage testing process and support testing strategy, on category specific brand concepts, brand relevant projects and assigned products.
* Complete testing activities and execute tests according to brand quality standards within the predetermined timelines and whenever required.
* Initiate continuous development of category specific testing processes and new methods to verify consumer centric approach in cooperation with governance functions. Maintain highest knowledge of relevant concepts, continuously strengthen own technical expertise and ensure that any new testing requirement is built in the testing set-up in cooperation with governance functions.
* Evaluate, analyze, document and communicate test results (workshops, holistic testing summary presentations shared with x- functional team, open source meetings to communicate consumer needs) as well as maintain results/reports in the respective systems.
* Escalate issues to appropriate persons to avoid claims, defective returns and to have a positive impact on consumer's experience with our product.
* Create and maintain network of testers with various skills as needed to support the assigned business units and fit program through identifying, organizing and attending recruitment events.
* Implement research and innovation to deliver world class products meeting consumer needs (e.g. pre-testing, open source initiative, style pattern projects and benchmark).
* Collaborate with x- functional teams in terms of testing new ideas and check against competitor products, create recommendations proactively and present back to product category.
* Mentor team members to develop category specific expertise & conduct trainings.
* Effectively lead category specific or overarching testing program project.
* Lead presentations showcasing testing's role within the creation of product (i.e. new employee onboarding, open house, creation tours, product releases, etc)

Key relationships:

* X-functional Creation teams
* Testers, consultants, testing facilities, coaches and athletes

Knowledge, capabilities and experience:


* Sport specific understanding, passion for sports and culturally connected to sport/fitness world
* Ability to understand scientific testing methods, synthesize data and write test results in a clear, concise manner
* Good communication, organizational and presentation skills
* Strong understanding of product creation and testing processes
* Apparel or textile knowledge preferred
* Computer literacy (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
* Project management skillset
* Fluent in English
* Ability to travel
* Ability to motivate and mentor others
* Demonstrated ability to work independently and within a team atmosphere

Qualifications:

* University degree in sports science or related field
* 5 years of progressive working experience in apparel, footwear or accessories creation, testing or related sports science