Footwear Testing Specialist (a)

Michael Page International (Switzerland) SA; Zürich; Hybrid; CHF 110.000 - 150.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Michael Page International (Switzerland) SA in Zurich seeks a Footwear Testing Specialist to lead field testing and drive product decisions. The role is hybrid with an October start for 12 months, with extension potential, and involves close collaboration with Product Creation and Sports Science teams to ensure durability and performance.

3+ years in footwear testing, strong stakeholder management, and fluent English are required; additional European languages are a plus.

Qualifikationen

• 3+ years of footwear product testing in the sports industry, preferably in the field.
• Experience with consumer interviews, focus groups, wear testing, field testing, and product validation studies.
• Understanding of physical product development and how consumer insights translate into decisions.
• Rigorous, structured, and evidence-based research approach.
• Ability to work independently with ownership and drive outcomes.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication, with ability to influence senior partners.
• Strong analytical skills to translate testing data into business recommendations.
• High organisation and project-management skills.
• Fluent English; additional European languages are a plus.

Aufgaben

• Lead testing initiatives within Performance Verticals and align cross-functional teams around unique demands.
• Architect rigorous testing protocols and travel for field feedback at international camps.
• Apply psychological principles to refine tester feedback and design assessment methods.
• Manage end-to-end testing cycles and translate data into dynamic reports for decisions.
• Act as an embedded, strategic consultant for product creation with Development and Design.
• Collaborate with product creation and Sports Science teams to ensure durability, performance, and satisfaction.

Kenntnisse

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Project management

English fluency

Jobbeschreibung

About Our Client

For our client, an internationally operating Swiss company in the performance sportswear industry, we are looking for a Footwear Testing Specialist (a) in Zurich. Start is asap, i.e. in October, for next 12 months with an extension option. Hybrid work model.

Job Description

As Footwear Testing Specialist (a) you will support the team with the following tasks:

• Lead testing initiatives within Performance Verticals. You will align complex cross-functional teams around unique demands, shaping early-stage concepts that influence our broader category direction.
• Architect rigorous testing protocols that push concepts to their limits. Beyond desk work, you will travel to international training camps capturing real-time feedback.
• Apply psychological principles to refine tester feedback. You will design subjective assessment methods that accurately decode the mindset and emotional reactions of everyone from world-class athletes to large panels of everyday sport enthusiasts.
• Manage end-to-end testing cycles by distilling vast amounts of qualitative and quantitative data. You will translate critical variables into dynamic, visual reports that drive immediate product decisions.
• Act as an embedded, strategic consultant for product creation. You will leverage your expertise to guide Development and Design, ensuring the best world-class testing methodologies are applied.
• Collaborate closely with product creation and Sports Science teams. By correlating your real-world field data with objective lab insights, you will guarantee our footwear achieves foundational excellence in durability, performance and consumer satisfaction.

The Successful Applicant

• 3+ years of experience within footwear product testing ideally in the sports industry (not lab but in the field) and passion for sports
• Proven experience conducting product research methodologies such as consumer interviews, focus groups, wear testing, field testing, and product validation studies.
• Strong understanding of physical product development processes and how consumer insights influence product decisions.
• A rigorous, structured, and evidence-based approach to research and testing.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, take ownership of projects, and drive outcomes with minimal supervision.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to confidently influence senior cross-functional partners.
• Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to transform testing data into clear business recommendations.
• High levels of organisation and project management skills.
• Fluent English communication skills; additional European languages are considered a plus.

What's on Offer

• Opportunity to join a globally recognized sportswear and innovation-driven organization.
• High visibility across Product, Design, Development, and Innovation teams.
• International working environment based in Zurich.
• Hybrid work model.