Test Analyst

Woolworths Financial Services, or WFS as it is better known, is a Joint Venture with Absa Bank, that supports the Woolworths retail business by providing in-store credit in the form of the Woolworths Store Card and offering value-added services including credit cards, personal loans and short-term insurance as well as life insurance linked to other products.

MAIN PURPOSE

The CIO Software Test Team is looking for a Test Analyst – Automation to join our high-performing team. The successful candidate will help minimise the risk of software failure by combining strong functional test analysis with hands-on test automation engineering. The role is responsible for translating business and technical requirements into risk-based test coverage and for designing, developing, executing and maintaining reliable automated test solutions across web, mobile, API and integrated platforms. The individual will collaborate across delivery teams, adapt effectively to change and contribute to quality throughout the software delivery lifecycle.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Understand the business processes, solution architecture, interfaces and non-functional considerations relevant to the change being delivered.
• Analyse requirements, acceptance criteria and technical designs to identify test conditions, risks, dependencies and appropriate coverage.
• Plan, design, coordinate and execute functional, exploratory, system integration, regression, API and mobile testing in collaboration with the delivery team.
• Define and implement an automation approach aligned with the application architecture, delivery model, risk profile and test strategy.
• Design, develop, peer-review and maintain reusable automated test frameworks, scripts, utilities, test data and supporting documentation.
• Automate suitable functional, regression, API, integration and mobile scenarios based on repeatability, risk and business value.
• Integrate automated test suites into CI/CD pipelines and ensure dependable execution across applicable environments.
• Analyse failed automated tests, distinguish application defects from script, data or environment failures, and drive timely resolution.
• Apply agreed coding standards, version-control practices, branching conventions and peer review to automation assets.
• Prepare and maintain test environments and representative test data, with appropriate controls for sensitive information.
• Record, investigate and track defects and inconsistencies, working with developers and other stakeholders through to resolution.
• Maintain traceability between requirements, risks, test cases, automation coverage, defects and test evidence.
• Report clearly on test progress, coverage, defects, automation results, quality risks and release readiness.
• Monitor automation reliability, execution duration, coverage and effectiveness; identify and reduce flaky or low-value tests.
• Perform manual and exploratory testing where automation is unsuitable or does not provide sufficient value.
• Continuously improve testing practices, tools, environments and team capability while escalating material risks with appropriate mitigation options.

Requirements

KEY COMPETENCIES (Incl TECHNICAL)

• Strong knowledge of software testing principles, risk-based testing, test design techniques, defect management and the software delivery lifecycle.
• Strong analytical, technical and troubleshooting skills applicable to complex integrated systems and requirements.
• Working proficiency in at least one relevant programming language, such as Java, JavaScript/TypeScript, Python or C#.
• Hands-on web UI automation experience using Selenium, Playwright, Cypress or an equivalent framework.
• Hands-on API automation experience using Postman/Newman, REST Assured, Karate, SoapUI or an equivalent framework.
• Mobile test automation experience using Appium or an equivalent framework where mobile applications are in scope.
• Practical experience designing, building and maintaining reusable automation frameworks and suites.
• Practical experience with Git-based source control and CI/CD tools such as Azure DevOps, Jenkins, GitHub Actions or an equivalent platform.
• Experience with test management and defect-tracking tools such as Jira/Xray, Azure DevOps Test Plans, HP ALM/Quality Center or equivalent.
• Ability to produce actionable automated test reports, evidence and quality metrics.
• Knowledge of maintainable automation design, including reusable components, test-data management, stable selectors, effective assertions and error handling.
• Accuracy, attention to detail, effective stakeholder communication and a commitment to continuous professional development.
• Experience in financial services or another regulated environment is advantageous.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION

• Relevant degree or IT diploma, or an equivalent recognised qualification.
• ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level certification.
• ISTQB automation-focused certification or equivalent recognised automation training is advantageous.
• Equivalent demonstrable test automation experience may be considered in place of an additional automation certification.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• At least three years’ experience in software testing, including a minimum of two years’ hands-on development and maintenance of automated tests.
• Demonstrable experience building or materially enhancing an automation framework, rather than only executing existing scripts.
• Experience automating web and API tests; mobile automation experience is required where mobile applications form part of the assigned portfolio.
• Experience integrating and executing automated tests within a CI/CD pipeline.
• Experience diagnosing script, application, test-data and environment failures and improving suite reliability over multiple releases.
• Experience testing complex integrated systems in Agile delivery teams; exposure to Waterfall delivery is beneficial.

KEY SUCCESS MEASURES

• Increased automated regression coverage across high-risk business journeys.
• Reliable automated execution in delivery pipelines with controlled levels of flaky tests.
• Reduced repetitive manual regression effort without compromising exploratory and risk-based testing.
• Earlier detection of defects and clear evidence-based reporting on release quality and residual risk.
• Maintainable, reusable automation assets that support team delivery and remain effective across releases.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Be prepared to put in extra hours at project and release dates by exception (may include late nights and weekends)
• Be able to handle multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high standards.

Woolworths Financial Services is a proud South African brand, who is committed to transformation. Meeting our employment equity goals will be taken into account in our recruitment decisions.