Test Analyst - FTC

Job Description

We’re looking for a Test Analyst to join our Online Credit & Payments team on a 14‑month fixed‑term contract, based from the NEXT Head Office in Leicestershire.

As a Test Analyst, you will play a vital role in ensuring the quality, reliability, and performance of the desktop, server, and web‑based software solutions that power NEXT. You will partner closely with Product Managers, developers, and business teams to interpret functional specifications and build comprehensive test strategies assisted by modern AI tools. From day one, you will make a visible difference by maintaining our exceptionally high standards, protecting the business from post‑implementation risks, and owning the testing lifecycle from initial analysis to final production.

We support our team members with continuous opportunities to learn, ensuring you have the training needed to master new technical tools, grow your QA career, and thrive in our fast‑paced retail tech environment.

• Partner with the functional team and senior analysts to plan, design, and implement effective manual and automated test strategies across the project lifecycle.
• Build, execute, and enhance automated regression packs using a wide range of modern quality assurance techniques and technologies.
• Review manual regression tests to systematically identify, isolate, and convert suitable candidates into automated scripts.
• Use SQL for database interrogation and perform comprehensive API, cross‑browser, and integration testing.
• Actively manage the defect life cycle, providing clear progress updates, status reports, and potential risk alerts to developers and key business users.
• Take accountability for post‑implementation support, ensuring system changes are thoroughly validated and “owned” until they are proven correct in production.
• Maintain the flexibility to support out‑of‑hours deployments when necessary, and occasionally provide on‑site cover at our stores during critical system rollouts.

• A strong foundation in modern software testing principles (ISTQB certification or similar is highly desirable), alongside a solid understanding of Agile methodologies and the SDLC.
• Familiarity or practical experience with core testing technologies and tools, such as Azure Dev Ops/cloud, Team Foundation Server, Leapwork, Selenium, Browserstack, or Playwright.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to translate high‑level requirements into detailed test scripts that include clear pre‑requisites and expected database outcomes.
• Desirable, though not essential, experience or domain knowledge within the Payments or Credit area.
• A proactive, analytical approach to problem‑solving, with an awareness of the differences between unit, system, and regression testing.
• Self‑motivation and a strong attention to detail, balancing independent analysis with a highly collaborative team spirit.
• Curiosity to learn new systems from scratch, look at lateral alternatives to problems, and adopt new tools—including experience with, or a strong interest in, integrating AI tools like Copilot or Gemini into your daily workflow.

We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long‑term condition, please get in touch with us and we’ll do our best to assist.