Role : QA Lead - Automation Test Lead Consultant
Location : Cincinnati, OH - Onsite
Long Term - W2
Job Description :
We are looking for a seasoned Automation Test Lead Consultant with a strong background in the Retail domain to drive our automation testing strategy and Shift-Left practices across complex, integrated applications. This role demands a hands-on technical expert and a strategic leader who can align testing with fast-paced retail transformation initiatives.
Establish scalable and maintainable test automation frameworks for UI and API validation across systems like Point-of-Sale (POS), Order Management, Customer Service, and Loyalty.
Experience testing in Retail Point-of-Sale (POS) environments or similar retail systems.
We are looking for a seasoned Automation Test Lead Consultant with a strong background in the Retail domain to drive our automation testing strategy and Shift-Left practices across complex, integrated applications. This role demands a hands-on technical expert and a strategic leader who can align testing with fast-paced retail transformation initiatives.
Key Responsibilities :
- Lead the automation strategy and implementation roadmap for web, mobile, and API-based retail applications.
- Promote Shift-Left Testing by embedding QA early in the development lifecycle.
- Establish scalable and maintainable test automation frameworks for UI and API validation across systems like Point-of-Sale (POS), Order Management, Customer Service, and Loyalty.
- Guide and mentor automation engineers across multiple agile teams.
- Work closely with product owners, developers, and environment teams to ensure automation aligns with CI / CD and business goals.
- Ensure timely feedback loops through automated validation of key retail flows like item scans, price overrides, payment methods, customer enrollment, and order creation.
- Provide regular reporting on automation coverage, quality metrics, and efficiency gains.
Technical Skills Required :
Expert-level automation experience in :Selenium for UI validationPlaywright for modern and responsive web interfacesKarate Framework for REST and SOAP API validationExperience testing in Retail Point-of-Sale (POS) environments or similar retail systems.Strong coding / scripting skills in Java, JavaScript, or Python.Solid grasp of Git, Jenkins, CI / CD pipelines, and integration with test management tools (e.g., QMetry, JIRA, Zephyr).Strong understanding of BDD / TDD, data-driven testing, and mocking service layers.Leadership & Domain Expertise :
Proven experience leading automation teams in a retail or omnichannel environment.Familiar with store systems, eCommerce, inventory, loyalty, and customer service desk functionalities.Ability to translate business workflows into test scenarios and drive end-to-end automation coverage.Strong stakeholder communication, coaching, and cross-functional leadership skills.Preferred Qualifications :
Retail transformation or modernization experience (e.g., migration from legacy to in-house systems).Experience with cloud-hosted microservices and integration testing across retail platforms.ISTQB, Certified Agile Tester, or similar certifications.