Job Summary:

This role will be a catalyst and critical partner for supporting the development and execution of a meaningful fit & wear process that delivers best in class products to consumers all over the world. Bring innovation in thought and creativity to identify testers and establish reliable individuals in a database that can have close connectivity to the product engine. Work with product management and marketing to cultivate strong communication and relationships with global ambassadors to validate product performance, design preferences and overall wearing experience.

In consideration that this role will engage with creatives, product merchandisers, developers and engineers, one should have a strong passion to work and learn alongside an entire creation engine through seasonal product creation cycles.  As the SOREL brand continues to foster a global presence in a myriad of product classifications, the fit & wear test analyst II will be crucial to ensuring the entire product experience meets the promise of the SOREL brand.

How You’ll Make a Difference

• Partner with cross-functional project teams - including development, design & product strategy - to design comprehensive test plans for each model across both SOREL Lifestyle and Performance footwear categories.
• Recruit and build a solid network of the right testers for in-house fit testing as well a broad reaching tester pool for product wear testing
• Lead multiple rounds of onsite & remote product testing to analyze fit, comfort, performance, & durability of each product to ensure delivery of world class footwear product.
• Demonstrate excellent ability to collect and analyze tester feedback, identify trends in tester data, perform durability inspections, write reports, and elevate findings to key stakeholders and cross-functional teammates.
• In collaboration with footwear development, build a strong understanding of footwear components, technologies & manufacturing processes to effectively identify technical footwear issues and suggest solutions.
• Ability to think both creatively and analytically with excellent collaboration and problem-solving skills.
• Deliver product feedback on time with the go-to-market calendar and lead discussions from the product testing point of view during cross-functional product reviews.
• Manage information & data collection processes using digital tools such as Google Drive, MSOffice and MESH01.

YOU ARE

• Contacts normally occur with others both inside and outside the company.  Contacts may contain confidential, proprietary, or sensitive information. 
• Work and duties are conducted face to face both inside and outside the workplace as well as over the phone or through email.
• Passion and drive for product testing and footwear creation.
• Likes being hands-on and working with physical product
• Proactive attitude and behavior
• Detail oriented and clear communicator
• Keen curiosity and critical thinking
• Process oriented
• Not afraid to ask appropriate questions, poke holes, and make well-informed decisions
• Results driven in a team-based environment
• Fast learner when using new software tools
• Someone who isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves 

YOU HAVE

• Bachelor’s degree plus minimum of two years of relatable experience in footwear manufacturing or development.
• Working experience with MS Office suite experience (Excel, Word, PP).
• PDM system experience is a plus.
• Work experience facilitating product testing and collecting tester feedback is preferred.

Other/Job Conditions:

• Job requires hours that may exceed 8 hours per day and/or 40 hours per week during times of peak activity. Evening meetings and/or weekend work occasionally required to collaborate with partners in other time zones
• Some job pressure exists in the balancing of several projects with conflicting and sometimes changing deadlines.
• Must be able to lift minimum of 25lbs
• The ability to sit for extended periods and to bend, kneel, and stoop. Ability to operate telephones and computer hardware and software, including keyboard and 10-key. Exposure to a computer monitor. 
• Local travel will be required 5% of the time

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company. 

Columbia Sportswear is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. The Know Your Rights poster is available here: https://www.eeoc.gov/poster The pay transparency policy is available here: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OFCCP/pdf/pay-transp_%20English_formattedESQA508c.pdf Columbia Sportswear is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please notify your recruiter.

At Columbia Sportswear Company, we’re proud to offer regular full-time employees a benefits package that includes a variety of services and products to help make your life and work more rewarding. Our benefit programs contribute to overall employee well-being by aligning those programs with the fundamental elements of well-being: physical, social/emotional, financial, career and community. Benefits that can protect your family’s financial future and help you save money through our 401k plan plus a generous company match. Columbia offers medical, dental, vision, life Insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, and an assortment of voluntary benefit offerings (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and legal services). In addition, Columbia offers EAP + which is free and confidential 24/7/365 counseling services. We have extensive wellness benefits, employee discounts and a generous time off program available.

If you need an accommodation/adjustment to successfully complete and submit your application, please reach out to [email protected] with the Subject: Applicant Assistance Requested.