The North Face: Product Testing Analyst, Footwear

Now that you’ve found the job description, what’s next?

At The North Face we dare to lead the world forward through Exploration. We were born to Explore, Disrupt and to Lead. We were born to Love Wild Places and to Spark Curiosity. We believe that exploration is a mindset - both on the mountain and off the mountain - and it infuses everything we do. As a community of explorers, we stay curious about new ideas, places, and people.

So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us – our values and our culture. If you can see yourself working side-by-side with a team of adventure-loving people, The North Face just may be the place for you.

To learn more about our values and our culture, visit The North Face Careers or www.thenorthface.com.

What will you do?

A day in the life of a Product Testing Analyst, Footwear at The North Face looks a little like this.

As a key member of the Global Footwear Product Development Team, the Product Testing Analyst is responsible for connecting our footwear team with the athletes and enthusiasts who test and validate our product. You will conduct and report on all fit and wear testing, organize field tests, and coordinate with internal and external partners on human performance testing. You will help the product development and design team problem-solve on all aspects of product integrity, durability, comfort, and performance throughout the footwear creation process. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Product Engineering, you will also assist with the maintenance of the last library, 3D printing, compound testing, innovation projects and documentation of best practices.

Let’s break down that day-in-the-life a bit more.

• Manage all footwear product validation through fit, wear, field, and laboratory testing.

• Own the fit and wear testing process at each seasonal stage gate:

• • Conduct in person fit tests and report on first-impression feedback.

  • Maintain a database of wear testers and athletes, organize the bulk shipment of wear test samples and the follow up on surveys and reporting of wear test results.

  • Organize a field test at each stage gate to put the most advanced seasonal projects on the feet of local testers to gather immediate feedback.

  • Coordinate with Asia Developers and RINO VF Lab on whole shoe validation testing.

• Work closely with product developers on every new style:

• • Provide feedback to help guide the project team on maintaining TNF Fit and Performance expectations.

  • Manage product tech reports throughout the season and summarize key learnings.

  • Take ownership of the model fit (T1) and extreme fit (T2) process during commercialization.

• Maintain the TNF Footwear last library. Keep track of the best fitting lasts and make suggestions to the product teams on best performing lasts.

• Keep up to date on competitor product offerings and present opportunities to do comparative testing and gather consumer feedback.

• Travel domestically and/or internationally 1-2 times per year to interface with athletes and gather product feedback.

What do you need to succeed?

We all have unique skills that we bring to work and celebrate every day. For this role, there are foundation skills you’ll need to succeed and excel. A bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, physiology or related field is preferred with 1-3 years in product creation or product testing. Most importantly, possess a desire to learn and grow in the world of footwear product development.

The foundation skills you will need in this position are:

• Detail oriented and self-motivated.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

• Comfortable reaching out and building relationships with product testers and athletes.

• Able to balance multiple projects and deadlines at once.

• Able to work effectively as a member of a large team.

• Forward thinking and strategic skills.

• Strong problem-solv