Specialist, Testing

ABOUT YOUR ROLE:

The Materials and Products Testing Specialist proactively works with sourcing, quality, and product stewardship teams to minimize any product compliance risk and enhance product quality. This role help set testing standards and provide technical support to sourcing offices. Testing Specialist is responsible to manage materials and product testing, ensure all testing is done properly and is tracked in VF’s testing data management system.  The Materials and Products Testing Specialist shall be knowledgeable in material and product testing standards, legislation and regulatory requirements; and use this information to implement a comprehensive products and materials testing manual in partnership with relevant brand team.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE:

Include but not limited to

Standards Setting

• Develop testing protocol templates for specific materials and products based on testing manuals and brand requirements.
• Ensure proper testing procedures are followed in both development testing and bulk production testing in accordance with standard requirements for brands.
• Attend seasonal product line review, provide technical advice, risk assessment or corrective/preventive suggestion to enhance the product quality.

Product Compliance

• Ensure material suppliers and garment vendors submit full test reports in accordance with product safety and quality testing manual.
• Ensure all test requests opened in Sarge are tracked and completed properly.
• Review test reports from testing service provider and provide technical comment and risk assessment on bulk production test reports. Follow up with vendors, as well as sourcing and quality teams, in case of testing failure.
• Assist vendors with root cause analysis and corrective action planning. Make sure the plan provided by the vendor is specific, thorough, and clearly articulates an efficient timeline for resolving the issue.
• Manage final approval process based on testing results.
• Manage country-specific certificates of conformity (GCC/ CPC/ CoC).

Communication

• Coordinate processes across testing, quality, and product stewardship teams.
• Ensure test results, and any subsequent action plans, are well-documented and disseminated in an effective and efficient manner.
  • Educate sourcing team, as well as outside suppliers/vendors, on testing requirements and standards, performance analysis, and corrective action planning.
  • Domestic and international travel up to 10%.

WHAT WE WILL BE LOOKING FOR IN YOU:

Competency requirements:

• The successful candidate should have 2+ years of experience in consumer product testing. 
• BS degree in a technical field such as Textile science, Engineering, testing etc. is desirable.
• Must be a proficient communicator. 
• Must be self-directed 
• Must be able to explain technical aspects to a non-technical audience.

Skill Requirements:

• Apparel and Footwear Material and Product testing experience. 
• Exceptional analytical skills & attention for detail
• Excellent Microsoft Office Suite skills (PowerPoint, Excel, Word)
• Excellent communication skills in English and Spanish, both written and oral