The North Face: Senior 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.

Position: Sr. Product Testing Analyst

What will you do?

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

The primary responsibilities of the Sr. Product Test Analyst Footwear are to ensure all aspects of our product are thoroughly tested subjectively and objectively, oversee our HPEL lab, and our materials testing lab. This role is to aid the product creation teams in ensuring each project meets the intended consumer expectation for performance, fit, durability, and the overall experience. The role is responsible coordinate with all 3rd party testing groups, or our external advance development group (e.g. All Triangles), and the appropriate level of tester for each given project.

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

• The goal is that the Sr. Product Test Analyst is the product creation teams trusted resource of ensuring that our products meet the intended end use deliverable.
• Manage the product testing process for subjective and objective testing.
• Conduct all fit tests from initial stages of the product creation process through commercialization.
• Distribute field test samples to product testers during each stage gate of development, compile and analyze the results, deliver these results to a diverse product creation team.
• Run and maintain Instron testing equipment and software – create reports that help Footwear Development improve products, foams, performance components.
• Create testing protocols to understand foam performance and mechanical properties.
• Create SOP and teach protocols.
• Lead for the 3D printer utilized by multiple divisions and / or brands.
• Manage maintenance.
• Establish and manage the printing queue prioritization.
• Maintain printing materials (budget and acquisitions)
• Create SOP for operation – shared resources.
• Create, maintain, and improve the Last Library
• Website with last data for design, category management, and development (i.e. templates, specification sheets).
• Create last descriptors for quick references to last variances.
• The Sr. Product Testing Analyst is responsible for managing and maintaining the footwear product testers (from TNF sponsored athletes to recreational end users), growing those that truly help pre-predict the level of experience intended for a given project.
• This role is also responsible for managing the objective testing of performance foams, or other materials that make up performance components within our DEN RiNo Test Lab. Overseeing the actual Instron Testing or coordinating external partners for objective test required.
• This role will oversee the human performance testing lab (e.g. 3D motion cameras, force plates, VO2 analytics) once established in the DEN RiNo Testing Lab.

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. Additionally, while formal education in a related field is great to have, we are most interested in your 3-5 years of experience and professional achievements. 

The foundation skills you will need in this position are:

• Must be detail oriented but able to present the big picture.
• Works effectively within a team.
• Self-motivated, able to manage themselves, the projects, and multiple parties 
• Influential in building positive partnerships with cross functional teams.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of footwear construction, materials/fabrics, and how these influence end use experiences.
• Understands materials, fit, function, and end use requirements.
• Forward thinking and strategic skills.
• Strong problem-