Footwear Coordinator, Wear Testing & Sample Management

Ariat International•San Leandro, CA

99d

About The Position

Are you ready to take on a new challenge? Do you bring management skills, organization, and coordination skills? At Ariat, we’re seeking a skilled Footwear Coordinator, Wear Testing & Sample Management to manage and ensure accurate tracking, organization, and timely flow of samples, while coordinating wear test activities and delivering clear, actionable insights to cross-functional teams. The Footwear Coordinator, Wear Testing & Sample Management will report to the Director of Footwear Product Integrity and Commercialization and work closely with the Product Creation lifecycle by managing sample logistics and administering the wear testing program. This individual will be highly organized and be able to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment. The Footwear Coordinator will be a core function supporting the Product Creation lifecycle. The ideal candidate for this role is passionate about managing, maintaining accurate data, coordination between cross-functional teams. The person in this role will primarily support Director of Footwear Product Integrity and Commercialization.

Requirements

1–3+ years of experience in sample coordination, product development support, wear testing, or similar operational roles
Strong organizational and logistics management skills with high attention to detail and accuracy
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with a sense of urgency
Effective communication skills with the ability to collaborate across teams and influence without direct authority
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Centric PLM, Box, or similar systems
Ability to perform physical tasks, including lifting up to 50 lbs.
Ability to travel locally as needed for wear tester coordination

Nice To Haves

Footwear, apparel, or consumer product experience preferred

Responsibilities

Managing and maintaining sample inventory across all categories, including approval, sales, confirmation, and wear test samples
Coordinating sample lifecycle activities, including archiving, donation, or destruction, in partnership with cross-functional teams
Processing sample requests (pulls and FOC) in a timely manner; receiving, organizing, and maintaining incoming samples on a weekly basis
Maintaining accurate sample data and inventory records in Centric PLM, Box, and tracking systems, including status updates and tagging
Organizing and maintaining seasonal sales samples (e.g., boot wall) to ensure accessibility and visual consistency
Overseeing sample library operations (on-site and off-site), including inventory audits and seasonal transfers to storage locations
Coordinating seasonal wear testing programs, including planning timelines, distributing samples, and ensuring proper testing conditions
Recruiting, onboarding, and managing wear testers; maintaiingn tester database and profiles
Serving as the primary point of contact for testers, ensuring responsive and professional communication
Tracking wear test progress and managing feedback cycles (30/60/90 days); escalating critical issues as needed
Documenting and supporting product failure investigations in partnership with cross-functional teams
Preparing and distributing structured wear test reports, including key findings and recommended follow-ups
Tracking readiness milestones and ensuring timely completion of wear testing deliverables
Managing wear test sample inventory, including tracking, returns, and archiving
Partnering with Development, Commercialization, Materials, and Innovation teams to support sample needs and wear testing timelines
Participating in product meetings and providing updates on sample status and wear test progress
Identifying opportunities to improve sample flow and wear testing processes; support implementation of process enhancements
Assisting with other responsibilities based on business needs.