At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Cotecna's global quality strategy and drive continuous improvement across all business lines.
- Company: Join a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification with a mission-driven culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse teams, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: High-impact leadership role with global visibility and excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on quality standards that support global trade and safety.
- Qualifications: University degree or 5+ years in quality management; ISO certifications preferred.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.
Why Join Cotecna? Cotecna is a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification, operating in over 100 countries and enabling trade, compliance, and safety across complex international supply chains. The company is known for combining deep technical expertise with innovative digital solutions, helping governments and businesses operate with trust and transparency. Joining Cotecna means becoming part of a mission‑driven organization that values accountability, open communication, and making things happen. You’ll work with diverse teams across the world and play a pivotal role in strengthening the quality foundations that support Cotecna’s growth.
About the Role As Head of Quality, reporting to the Chief Compliance Officer, you will lead Cotecna’s global quality strategy, ensuring the organization maintains the management systems, certifications, and accreditations that underpin its credibility and growth. You will drive continuous improvement, strengthen operational excellence, and embed quality culture across all business lines and regions. This is a high‑impact leadership role with global visibility and influence.
- Key Responsibilities
- Group Certifications & Accreditations Lead and manage Cotecna’s ISO 9001 group certification and ISO 17020 group accreditation, including coordination with certification and accreditation bodies. Ensure successful planning, execution, reporting, and closure of all ISO 17020 internal audits across the network. Maintain and support additional accreditations such as ISO 17065 and FSC Chain of Custody.
- Quality Governance & Frameworks Own and evolve the Cotecna Business Framework, ensuring its principles are understood and applied consistently across the organization. Oversee the documentation architecture supporting the framework and validate its quality and alignment.
- Operational Quality Leadership Provide expert support to Cotecna entities on ISO 9001, ISO 17020, ISO 17025, ISO 17065, and other management systems. Support business lines in achieving new certifications and accreditations required for strategic growth. Act as Quality Manager for Geneva HQ, ensuring internal audits, corrective actions, and management reviews are effectively executed.
- Internal Audit & Technical Governance Contribute to global internal audit planning and technical governance audits. Ensure non‑conformities and corrective actions are systematically followed up and closed.
- Sustainability & Chain of Custody Oversee development and monitoring of sustainability KPIs related to environmental impact and supplier performance. Serve as the FSC Management System Manager, responsible for establishing and maintaining the FSC Chain of Custody certification system.
What You Bring
- Qualifications & Experience University degree or minimum 5 years’ experience in quality management. IRCA ISO 9001 QMS Lead Auditor certification preferred. Strong knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 17020, ISO 17065 (mandatory). Experience with ISO 17021, ISO 17025, or FSC Chain of Custody is an advantage. Background in certification activities (management systems, product certification, etc.) is desirable.
- Skills & Competencies Strong analytical mindset with excellent follow‑through. Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing priorities. Excellent communication skills in English; French or Spanish is a plus. Ability to engage effectively with all organizational levels, from operational teams to the CEO. Project management capability. Leadership competencies aligned with Cotecna’s values: Drives Results, Customer Focus, Collaboration, Business Insight, and Situational Adaptability.
Locations
Head of Quality in Hampshire, Portsmouth employer: Cotecna
Cotecna is an exceptional employer that champions a culture of accountability and open communication, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking to make a meaningful impact in the field of quality management. With a global presence and a commitment to continuous improvement, employees benefit from diverse teamwork, robust growth opportunities, and the chance to influence quality standards across international supply chains. Joining Cotecna means being part of a mission-driven organisation that values innovation and operational excellence, all while working in the vibrant city of Geneva.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Quality in Hampshire, Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with Cotecna employees on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Cotecna's values and recent projects. Show us you understand our mission and how your experience aligns with our goals. Tailor your answers to reflect our commitment to quality and innovation.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your background in quality management and ISO standards makes you the perfect fit for the Head of Quality role. Confidence is key, so rehearse until it feels natural.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Quality in Hampshire, Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Quality role. Highlight your experience with ISO standards and quality management systems, as these are key for us at Cotecna. Use specific examples that showcase your achievements in quality governance and operational excellence.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you’re passionate about quality management and how your values align with Cotecna’s mission. Share your vision for driving continuous improvement and embedding a quality culture across teams. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As this is a high-impact leadership role, make sure to highlight your leadership experiences. Talk about how you've led teams or projects in the past, especially in relation to quality assurance and compliance. We want to see your ability to drive results and collaborate effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. This way, we can ensure your application reaches the right people directly. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our mission-driven organisation!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cotecna
✨Know Your Standards
Make sure you brush up on ISO 9001, ISO 17020, and ISO 17065. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these standards in your previous roles. Cotecna values deep technical expertise, so showing that you understand these frameworks will set you apart.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As the Head of Quality, you'll be leading teams and driving change. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led quality initiatives or managed teams in the past. Highlight your ability to engage with all levels of an organisation, from operational teams to executives.
✨Demonstrate Continuous Improvement Mindset
Cotecna is all about operational excellence and continuous improvement. Think of specific instances where you've implemented changes that improved processes or outcomes. Be ready to discuss how you can embed a quality culture across diverse teams.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and adaptability. Cotecna operates in a dynamic environment, so prepare to discuss how you would handle non-conformities or lead audits under pressure. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
