Senior Specialist – Footwear Testing (Fit & Wear)

ON.com LLC; Zürich; Hybrid; CHF 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

On is seeking a Senior Specialist – Footwear Testing (Fit & Wear) in Zurich to lead validation and shape fit and comfort standards across our footwear categories. You will define testing protocols and drive consumer insights from wear trials.

Across regions, you will coach our Vietnam testing teams, coordinate cross-functional input with Product Development, Design and Materials, and translate feedback into concrete technical guidance for faster go-to-market calendars.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in footwear or product testing or related field.
• Understanding of shoe construction and last shapes is a plus.
• Experience with Excel and PowerPoint for data analysis.
• Ability to design consumer surveys and gather insights.
• Strong communication and cross-cultural collaboration.
• Fluent in English; additional languages are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Innovate fit and testing protocols at Zurich Lab.
• Coach Vietnam testing teams to enable local validation.
• Plan, schedule and run wear trials and fit sessions.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data and present findings.
• Recruit and maintain testers aligned with calendars.
• Manage test validation across three seasonal calendars.

Skills

Footwear testing

Data analysis

Survey design

Coaching

Cross-cultural collaboration

English proficiency

Multilingual (plus)

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

## Senior Specialist – Footwear Testing (Fit & Wear)ZurichApply NowUse AI to find out how well you match with this jobJob ID: JR26101309Date posted: 10/08/2026Function: Product Integrity & Quality## In ShortProduct Testing is the voice of the consumer at On. We ensure every product meets premium quality standards by combining hands-on technical evaluation with authentic real-world insights.As a Senior Specialist – Footwear Testing (Fit & Wear), you will lead product validation and fit excellence across our different footwear categories. Based at our Zurich HQ, you will shape how fit and comfort are defined, innovate testing protocols for novel footwear concepts, and coach our expanding testing teams in Vietnam to enable local validation and faster go-to-market calendars.In this role, you will act as a key partner to Product Development, Product Management, Design, and Materials, translating consumer feedback into actionable technical guidance to elevate on-foot comfort.## Your Mission* Innovate Fit & Testing Protocols: Own and continuously evolve shoe fitting methodologies, survey frameworks, and testing standards from our Zurich Lab. Reevaluate consumer interaction setups, refine survey questions to eliminate bias, and create repeatable testing protocols for novel or non-standard product concepts.* Empower & Coach Vietnam Testing Teams: Act as the primary HQ partner for our regional testing teams in Vietnam. Provide continuous coaching, training, and standard operating procedure (SOP) calibration to enable high-quality local validation and streamline go-to-market timelines.* Lead Consumer Insights & Fit Sessions: Plan, schedule, and execute qualitative consumer wear trials, fit sessions, and focus groups across lifestyle and youth consumer segments. Gather unbiased, qualitative step-in comfort and fit feedback.* Drive Data-Led Decision Making: Analyze qualitative and quantitative testing datasets using advanced data tools (Excel, database systems). Create clear, visual reporting and corrective action recommendations for Design, Development, and Materials teams when testing standards are not met.* Expand & Cultivate Tester Networks: Recruit, build, and maintain an active, diverse pool of lifestyle, kids, and young mover wear-testers aligned with seasonal product creation calendars.* Multi-Calendar & Cross-Functional Alignment: Manage test validation cycles across three simultaneous seasonal calendars, acting as a consultative fit expert across cross-functional creation teams.## Your Story* 2+ years of experience in a field focused on the human experience with a product or service, including but not limited to: Footwear or Sportswear Product Testing / Development, Biomechanics, Kinesiology, or Human Factors, Footwear / Sportswear Retail Leadership or Technical Product Advisory* Understanding of Footwear Creation: Familiarity with shoe construction, last shapes, upper pattern geometry, and volume balance is a strong plus.* Data Handling & Analysis: Proficient in gathering, structuring, and visualizing qualitative and quantitative datasets using tools like MS Excel and PowerPoint.* Survey Design & Unbiased Communication: Demonstrated ability to ask probing, unbiased questions and build consumer surveys that yield actionable product feedback.* Coaching & Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Strong communication skills with a track record of coaching teams, explaining complex details clearly, and working effectively with non-native English-speaking factory partners in Asia.* Adaptability & Curiosity: Comfortable navigating ambiguous testing scenarios, making informed assumptions, and managing multiple seasonal calendars simultaneously.* Languages: Fluent in English (written and spoken). Additional languages (German, Vietnamese, or Mandarin) are a plus.## ## What We OfferOn is a place that is centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically – to stay active, to learn, explore and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere, with access to personal self-care for both physical and mental well-being, so each person is led by purpose.On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination.