Product Testing Assistant

PENTLAND; Sunderland; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A global active and footwear company based in Sunderland is seeking a Product Testing Assistant. In this role, you will coordinate wearer trials, conduct both external and laboratory testing, and ensure compliance with brand standards. Ideal candidates will have experience in lab testing and be capable of managing product trials. Competitive salary plus a bonus, generous holiday, and various health perks are offered alongside a flexible working environment.

Benefits

Salary + discretionary bonus

25 Days Holiday

Discounts including friends and family

Enhanced parental leave policies

Health-related perks

Travel perks

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• Experience in conducting lab testing with standard methodologies.
• Ability to manage and coordinate wearer trials effectively.
• Proficiency in maintaining compliance and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate wearer trials and collect feedback for analysis.
• Conduct external and laboratory testing to evaluate product performance.
• Maintain accurate testing databases and ensure compliance.

Skills

Lab testing

Coordination skills

Data analysis

Quality Assurance

Tools

Thermal imaging cameras

Temperature sensors

Job description

We're Pentland Brands; a dynamic, global family business, and proud owners and licensees of many iconic active and footwear brands. With a community of over 1,300 team members worldwide, we embrace diversity and inclusion, and champion growth and development. Our success is built on teamwork, courage, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

WHAT'S THE MISSION FOR THIS ROLE?

As a member of the testing team, you will be responsible for delivering an accurate, responsive, and efficient testing service to support the development of new products across multiple brands. Your role will involve coordinating and managing multiple product wearer trials with our external testing network, ensuring that design and development teams are promptly informed of any quality issues identified during testing. Additionally, you will conduct a variety of tests in our internal laboratory in accordance with British and international standards, contributing to the growth of our approved materials library and supporting the verification of marketing claims for our latest product innovations.

WHAT DOES THIS ROLE DO?

As our Product Testing Assistant you will be responsible for:

• Coordinate and distribute product wearer trials to our network of testers; collecting and consolidating feedback to ensure it is easily accessible for all stakeholders.
• Conduct external product testing trials using analysis equipment (e.g., thermal imaging cameras, temperature sensors) to evaluate how our products benefit end consumers. Analyse data and gather consumer perception feedback.
• Perform laboratory textile testing in line with British and International Standards, as well as in‑house protocols, across a wide range of high‑performance materials and components for apparel, footwear, and equipment.
• Exercise judgment and authority to approve or reject products/materials/applications based on brand standards, escalating issues to the Product Testing Coordinator as necessary.
• Maintain the testing database, ensuring all results are accurately archived and tracked to enable reliable comparisons and assessments throughout product development, manufacturing, and lifecycle stages.
• Oversee self‑calibration and maintenance of lab equipment, adhering to safe systems of work and completing risk assessments as required.
• Provide testing support for all relevant projects, contributing expertise wherever testing input is needed.
• Gain exposure to cross‑functional teams during your placement, including Quality Assurance, Compliance, Product Development, Materials, and Returns, and provide support where necessary.

WHAT DO I BRING TO THE ROLE?

You just might be our next superstar if you have the following skills and experience:

• Conduct lab testing following standard methodologies while ensuring alignment with brand requirements.
• Coordinate wearer trials, distributing products to testers according to deadlines set by the line manager, and continuously monitoring trial progress.
• Maintain tracking documents for product and lab testing, ensuring they are current, easily accessible, and available to all stakeholders.
• Manage lab compliance, keeping calibration certificates, safe systems of work, and risk assessments up to date.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?

• Salary + discretionary bonus
• 25 Days Holiday: Increases with length of service and the option to purchase additional days to suit your needs.
• Discounts: Brand discounts (including friends and family and JD Sports), Sample Sales, and other retail discounts and perks.
• Family‑Friendly Benefits: Generous enhanced parental leave policies
• Health Perks: Choose from a variety of health‑related perks including medical cash plan, critical illness cover, life assurance, gym and fitness discounts, dental insurance, eye care, and health screening to maintain your wellbeing.
• Travel Perks: Take advantage of our season ticket loan, cycle‑to‑work schemes, electric car schemes, and discounts on home charging units to support eco‑friendly commuting.
• Flexible Working: We offer hybrid working and flexible working hours, allowing you to start your day earlier or later to help with commute costs or personal commitments.
• Chance to join our Charity, D&I and Sustainability employee networks.

As an equal opportunity employer, we're committed to fostering diversity and creating an inclusive culture across our business, stores, and office environment.

We warmly welcome your application.