At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage Food & Beverage certification schemes, ensuring technical integrity and operational performance.
- Company: DNV Business Assurance, a leader in certification and technical governance.
- Benefits: Generous paid time off, flexible work schedule, and education reimbursement.
- Other info: Remote work available across Canada with excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the food industry while enjoying a supportive and diverse work culture.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in relevant field and 5 years of experience in Food & Beverage certification.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
DNV Business Assurance is seeking to fill the role of Senior Program Manager, Food & Beverage. This position can be remote from anywhere in Canada.
The Senior Program Manager, Food & Beverage is accountable for the technical governance, delivery integrity, and business performance of assigned Food & Beverage certification schemes within DNV Business Assurance North America, including SQF and COSTCO programs. Serving as the primary technical authority for the Local Unit, the role ensures full alignment with DNV Global Technical Hub requirements, applicable accreditation standards (including ISO/IEC 17021 and ISO/IEC 17065), and scheme owner expectations. The position provides strategic technical leadership across auditors, operations, sales teams, and customers, while supporting accreditation readiness, resource planning, and continuous competence development. The role holds overall accountability for the operational profitability and technical integrity of the Food & Beverage certification portfolio in North America.
What You’ll Do
- Scheme and Technical Governance
- Hold overall technical responsibility for all assigned Food & Beverage certification schemes within the Local Unit, including SQF and COSTCO.
- Act as the Local Unit focal point for interpretation and implementation of requirements issued by the Global Technical Hub, including globally managed Food & Beverage schemes such as FSSC 22000 and BRCGS.
- Auditor Leadership and Technical Decision-Making
- Provide line management for a team of approximately 6 full-time auditors and ~25 contracted auditors, including SQF technical reviewers and supporting roles (30 resources in total).
- Act as a senior technical escalation point for interpretation of standards and scheme rules, audit findings and technical nonconformities, technical rejections and corrective action assessment.
- Contribute to or oversee technical reviews, certification decisions, and risk evaluations in accordance with scheme and accreditation rules.
- Operational, Sales, and Customer Technical Support
- Support Operations and Sales teams by providing authoritative technical guidance on scheme eligibility and scope, certification pathways, and interpretation of standards and requirements.
- Engage directly with customers, as needed, to provide clear, accurate technical clarification that supports confidence in DNV certification outcomes.
- Auditor Qualification, Competence and Development
- Support onboarding and authorization of new auditors, including qualification and scope approvals, scheme-specific authorization and maintenance.
- Provide ongoing technical coaching, guidance, and consistency support to auditors.
- Deliver or support annual training programs, including scheme and standard updates, industry and regulatory developments, and technical consistency and calibration activities.
- Accreditation and External Oversight
- Support and participate in witness audits and oversight activities as required.
- Actively support Accreditation Body assessments (e.g., ANAB), including activities related to ISO/IEC 17065.
Key Interfaces
- Global Technical Hub
- Food & Beverage Auditors (Full-time and Subcontract)
- Operations and Sales Teams
- Customers
- Accreditation Bodies (e.g., ANAB)
- Scheme Owners (e.g., SQF, COSTCO)
Benefits
- Generous paid time off (vacation, sick days, company holidays, personal days)
- Multiple Medical and Dental benefit plans to choose from, Vision benefits
- Spending accounts – FSA, Dependent Care, Commuter Benefits, company-seeded HSA
- Employer-paid, therapist-led, virtual care services
- 401(k) with company match
- Company provided life insurance, short-term, and long-term disability benefits
- Education reimbursement program
- Flexible work schedule with hybrid/remote opportunities
- Charitable Matched Giving and Volunteer Rewards through our Impact Program
- Volunteer time off (VTO) paid by the company
- Career advancement opportunities
Benefits may vary based on position, tenure, contract, or grade level.
What Is Required
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in food science, food technology, agriculture, biology, quality, or a related discipline.
- 5 years of experience with Food & Beverage certification schemes, including SQF and customer-driven programs (e.g., COSTCO), within an accredited certification body.
- 5 years of working knowledge of ISO/IEC 17021 and ISO/IEC 17065, with demonstrated ability to apply accreditation and scheme requirements to audit planning, review, and certification decision-making.
- Demonstrated experience leading and managing a mixed resource model, including full-time auditors, subcontract auditors, and technical reviewers.
- Proven capability to act as a senior technical authority, providing sound judgment on interpretation of standards and scheme rules, audit findings and nonconformities, corrective action evaluation and technical rejections, certification and risk-based decisions.
- Strong written and verbal English communication skills, with the ability to provide clear, authoritative technical guidance to internal and external stakeholders.
- Travel approx. 10% domestically.
We conduct a pre-employment background screening.
Senior Program Manager, Food & Beverage - Canada in London employer: DNV Germany Holding GmbH
Contact Detail:
DNV Germany Holding GmbH Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Program Manager, Food & Beverage - Canada in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the Food & Beverage industry on LinkedIn or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching DNV and their Food & Beverage certification schemes. Show them you know your stuff about SQF and COSTCO programs, and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Senior Program Manager. Highlight your leadership skills and technical expertise in a way that makes you stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Program Manager, Food & Beverage - Canada in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Program Manager role. Highlight your experience with Food & Beverage certification schemes like SQF and COSTCO, and show how your skills align with what we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Technical Expertise: We want to see your knowledge of ISO/IEC 17021 and ISO/IEC 17065. Be specific about your experience in applying these standards in your previous roles, as this will demonstrate your capability to handle the technical governance aspect of the job.
Communicate Clearly: Strong written communication is key! Use clear and concise language in your application. We appreciate candidates who can convey complex information simply, especially when it comes to technical guidance.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at DNV Germany Holding GmbH
✨Know Your Schemes Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the Food & Beverage certification schemes, especially SQF and COSTCO. Brush up on the latest standards and requirements from the Global Technical Hub, as this will show your technical expertise and readiness to take on the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading teams of auditors and managing mixed resource models. Be ready to discuss how you've handled technical escalations and provided guidance in challenging situations, as this is crucial for the Senior Program Manager position.
✨Engage with Real Scenarios
Think of specific instances where you've interpreted standards or made certification decisions. Use these examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to navigate complex technical issues, which will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, especially when discussing technical topics. Strong communication skills are essential for this role, so ensure you can convey complex information in an understandable way to both internal teams and customers.