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 foundations that support Cotecna’s growth worldwide.
- Qualifications: University degree or 5+ years in quality management; ISO certifications preferred.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ 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.
Head of Quality employer: Cotecna
Contact Detail:
Cotecna Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Quality
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Cotecna’s values and recent projects. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role, but that you understand the company’s mission and how you can contribute to its quality strategy. Tailor your responses to highlight your experience with ISO standards and quality management.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. We want to see you shine, so get comfortable discussing your leadership style and how you’ve driven quality improvements in past roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the position. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed – we’re excited to see your application!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Quality
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Quality role. Highlight your expertise in ISO standards and any leadership roles you've held, as this will show us you're a great fit for the position.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about quality management and how your background makes you the perfect candidate. Don't forget to mention your understanding of Cotecna's mission and values!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. Whether it's successful audits or improved processes, we want to see how you've made a difference in quality management.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people quickly and allows us to keep track of all candidates efficiently. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cotecna
✨Know Your Standards
Familiarise yourself with ISO 9001, ISO 17020, and ISO 17065. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with these standards and how you can drive quality improvements at Cotecna.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led quality initiatives in the past. Highlight your ability to engage teams and drive results, as this role requires strong leadership and collaboration across diverse teams.
✨Understand Cotecna's Mission
Research Cotecna’s values and mission. Be prepared to explain how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their goal of enabling trade and compliance globally.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about Cotecna’s quality strategy and future goals. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.