adidas is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from people of all ages, genders (incl. gender identity), ethnic and social backgrounds, nationalities, sexual orientations, religions and beliefs, and those with apparent or non-apparent disabilities*. We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees.
*We actively encourage individuals with disabilities to apply and will provide reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.
Purpose:
We never release a product until we are confident it meets the highest standards. In Testing & Quality, we examine every shirt, shoe and piece of equipment with the same dedication as if it were unique. And in many ways, it is because our passion for precision and reliability goes into every detail. Turning concepts, sketches and prototypes into products athletes and consumers can trust requires countless decisions, and our team ensures that every one of them supports performance, safety and quality.
As Assistant Manager Product Testing you are a key contributor in the product testing process by gathering and evaluating perception feedback from consumers (fit, comfort, quality, performance) and translating it into recommendations for product development. This role works divisional for assigned business units and in close alignment with the Senior Manager Product Testing.
Key Responsibilities:
Product Testing
- Represent Testing in seasonal briefings with Marketing and Development
- Allocate appropriate level of perception tests (e.g. fit, wear, performance tests, high speed filming, benchmark testing) based on intended use and consumer profile with counterparts from Development in collaboration with Concept Excellence
- Manage own workload and prioritize tasks in line with workload tool
- Support to resolve issues during testing process; in the second step escalate to Senior Manager Product Testing
- Assign appropriate questionnaire modules in partnership with external IT provider
- Plan and execute perception tests according to adidas’ Testing standards within timelines
- Analyze perception test results based on consumer feedback and product condition and assess risk level of claims and defective returns
- Write test reports with recommendations to Development and document those in the respective systems
- Determine if product can move forward in creation process based on executed perception tests
- Share and discuss test results with Development, Marketing and Design in Performance Line Review Meetings
- Review, discuss and decide on execution of outline test requests
- (Support to) create seasonal summary reports and overviews upon request
- Provide input for test standards and procedures to Standards and Compliance experts
- Support global initiatives that are connected to Product Testing
Tester Pool
- Pro-actively recruit new product testers through events and networking
- Review online applications for product testers and select suitable profiles
- Set up and maintain product testers in central system
- Collect signatures from product testers for all relevant processes (e.g. wear test agreement)
- Ensure data protection rules are followed during all steps of testing
Sample Management
- (System-)order, unpack, prepare and ship product samples for testing purposes
- Organize short- and long-term storage of product samples according to policy
Device Management
- Maintain Testing facilities and devices
Key Relationships:
- Development
- Marketing
- Design
- Sourcing Quality – Testing & Quality
- Target consumers, coaches and equipment managers
- 3rd party testing facilities and consultants
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Passion for sports in general and in-depth knowledge of the responsible sport categories
- Keen to learn about product creation and development (e.g. materials, components, modifications, technologies, assembly)
- Ability to work both individually and supportively, with a high degree of flexibility and a collaborative mindset
- Ability to openly communicate and collaborate with cross-functional teams at like and slightly above levels of the organization
- Advanced communication and presentation skills
- Advanced user level of Microsoft 365 (e.g. Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access)
- Data analysis skills of advantage
- Language: fluent in English (written and spoken), for Germany: German required
- Ability to travel domestically and globally
Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:
- College or university degree in Sports Science or related field
- First working experience required
- Alternatively: apprenticeship in technical footwear or apparel field with minimum 3 years of work experience
- Experience in footwear, apparel or accessories & gear business preferred
