IT Test Leader

Are you a seasoned software testing professional with a passion for quality and strong leadership skills? We are seeking an IT Test Leader to spearhead end-to-end software testing for our enterprise systems. In this role, you will oversee the QA process to ensure our platforms meet the highest standards of quality and reliability. You will lead a team of testers across SAP, e-commerce, and Salesforce systems, fostering a culture of quality throughout the organization.

(This is a remote position for EU-based candidates ONLY, with bi-monthly travel to Frankfurt, Germany for on-site collaboration.)

Responsibilities

· Develop and implement testing strategy: Design comprehensive test strategies and detailed test plans covering objectives, scope, and resources for both enterprise-level programs and individual projects.

Ensure that testing processes are well-defined and aligned with overall business goals and requirements.

· Lead end-to-end test execution: Lead and coordinate all testing activities across SAP, e-commerce, and Salesforce platforms, making sure all test phases are executed properly and meet business requirements. Act as the champion for quality, ensuring that software products meet the required quality standards and client expectations.

· Team management and mentoring: Manage and mentor the testing team, providing guidance, support, and training to team members. Build a high-performing team by coaching individuals, improving their skills and productivity, and promoting best practices in testing.

· Test case design and oversight: Collaborate with the team to design effective test cases and scenarios that provide full coverage of functional and non-functional requirements. Review and improve test artefacts (test cases, scripts, data) to ensure they adhere to the test strategy and quality standards.

· Defect management: Utilize test management tools (e.g, JIRA) to track testing progress and defects. Oversee the defect lifecycle – ensure issues are identified, documented, and resolved in a timely manner, liaising with developers and other stakeholders for quick resolution of bugs.

· Cross-team collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams (developers, business analysts, project managers) to ensure testing is integrated into the development lifecycle. Serve as a liaison between technical and business teams during testing phases, making sure that quality assurance is a shared responsibility across the project.

· Reporting and feedback: Monitor testing metrics and provide regular updates on test progress and quality status to stakeholders. Prepare comprehensive test reports that highlight defects, test coverage, and product quality. Provide actionable feedback and recommendations to improve both the product and the testing process.

· Continuous improvement: Evaluate the effectiveness of testing processes and identify areas for improvement. Implement process enhancements and best practices to increase testing efficiency, such as introducing test automation where beneficial or refining test methodologies. Proactively manage testing risks and mitigation strategies to ensure on-time, high-quality releases.

Required Qualifications

· 7-10+ years of software testing experience, including test lead/manager roles, with a proven track record of leading QA teams on large projects.

· You must possess substantial and extensive hands-on experience in quality assurance for SAP systems and Salesforce solutions, as well as testing e-commerce and in-house developed web applications.

· Deep understanding of software testing life cycle (STLC), test design techniques, and end-to-end testing processes.

· Demonstrated proficiency in team building and mentoring individuals within a testing environment. Strong people management, coaching, and team-building skills, with a proven track record of enhancing team performance and morale.

· Expertise in test management and issue tracking tools, particularly JIRA (mandatory). Comfortable with test automation tools and frameworks, and with defect-tracking systems. Solid understanding of QA methodologies and familiarity with both Agile and Waterfall development methodologies.

· Excellent communication skills in English and German (written and spoken) are mandatory. Able to clearly articulate bugs and quality issues to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Strong reporting, documentation, and presentation abilities to convey testing status and results.

· Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Business Informatics, or a related field is preferred. Relevant professional certifications (e.g., ISTQB Certified Tester, Agile Testing, or PMP) will be an advantage.

Preferred Experience

· Retail industry background è Experience in the retail industry or on retail IT projects is highly desirable, as it provides valuable domain knowledge (industry-specific experience is often highly preferred for testing leadership roles). Familiarity with retail e-commerce workflows or POS systems is a plus.

· Project domain expertise: èInvolvement in large-scale enterprise transformation programs or multi-system integration projects (such as ERP/CRM implementations) is beneficial. Understanding complex system landscapes (SAP, CRM, web storefronts) and data flows in a retail context can help identify edge cases and integration issues.

· Advanced testing skills è Exposure to test automation and performance testing tools is a plus. Experience developing automated test scripts or working with automation teams can be advantageous for improving test efficiency.

· Methodologies è Familiarity with Agile testing practices and continuous integration environments. Hands-on experience setting up QA processes in an Agile/Scrum team, as well as knowledge of traditional test processes for legacy systems, is highly valued (proven experience implementing QA processes in an Agile environment is preferred).

Working Conditions

· This is a remote work job opportunity from home within the European Union is required. Candidates must be based in the EU for this role (to enable occasional travel and collaboration in the EU timezone).

· Expect bi-monthly travel to Frankfurt, Germany, for on-site meetings and workshops with the team (approximately twice per month). Travel expenses will be covered. Candidates should have the flexibility to travel and collaborate in person as needed.

· This is also a full-time freelance contract position. You will be expected to work roughly 40 hours per week, aligning with Central European business hours. This role offers the autonomy of a freelance engagement with the commitment of a full-time lead position.

You will work remotely with a distributed team. We foster an inclusive, collaborative culture with regular virtual meetings and use tools like JIRA and Confluence for day-to-day coordination. You’ll visit the Frankfurt office periodically to sync with stakeholders and ensure close teamwork during critical project phases.

If you’re an experienced testing leader eager to drive quality in a dynamic environment, apply with your CV and a brief note about your relevant experience. Join us in ensuring top-notch quality for cutting-edge retail technology solutions.