Materials Testing Manager or Specialist

As Materials Testing Specialist/Manager, within Development you will lead the Testing at FitFlop, cooperate with Product Development, Materials Team factories and Suppliers to enhance product performance, compliance, safety, and quality. In addition, you will provide technical support and advice on testing issues relating to physical and RSL to Operations when needed. Evaluate performance of our suppliers and factories, and conduct training of our factories and suppliers.
The Responsibilities:
Physical:
• Drive factories to ensure all materials are tested in a correct & timely manner based on seasonal calendar
• Collect test reports, review & coordinate suppliers/factories to fix and ensure a smooth transition to Commercialization & Production
• Validate variance of test results among factories
• Attend seasonal range reviews, evaluate risk and provide technical advice or preventive suggestions to enhance the product quality and safety
• Maintain override list of materials allowed in production and communicate with Sales, Merchandiser, Commercialization and QA team about override materials
• Prepare materials testing status report in the current development season
• Refresh & update testing manual
• Develop test methods and set up standard for new technologies & seasonal materials
• Conduct audits of factories & suppliers and follow up with them for corrective actions
• Maintain working relationship with approved labs and monitor performance based on speed, customer service, cost, and quality of results
RSL & Compliance:
• Ensure all materials have restricted substances (RSL) reports meeting FitFlop requirements
• Work with suppliers and factory to expedite for on-time completion when necessary
• Research & update new requirements from global markets
• Drive random test program for high-risk materials
• Investigate & follow up with supplier/factory, Planning & Materials team if a failure occurs
• Support Materials team in recording and reporting material testing KPI's
• Instruct factories for additional compliance requirements from markets: US, China, Korea, ...
• Conduct training for factories holding annual meetings or as required to ensure adherence to Fitflop testing requirements
• Support HQ Legal team or Regional Sales teams if required with documentation and or testing information
Key Relationships:
Internal:
• Legal, Merchandising, Marketing.
• Regional teams (Europe, APAC, US) & manufacturing.
• Development teams for China, Vietnam, Indonesia,...
• QCLogistic, Costing, Material, Package, Physical testing and planning teams, finance, etc.
• Other Dept
External:
• 3rd party testing labs.
• Factory RS team and lab test team
• Sourced T2 suppliers RS teams.
• Standards organizations that support Global RS Adherence, and Physical requirements