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- Tasks: Lead and manage Food & Beverage certification schemes, ensuring technical integrity and operational success.
- Company: DNV Business Assurance, a leader in certification and assurance services.
- Benefits: Generous paid time off, flexible work options, and education reimbursement.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to innovation and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the food industry while working remotely from anywhere in Canada.
- 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. Act as a senior technical escalation point for interpretation of standards and scheme rules, audit findings and technical nonconformities, and 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, and 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
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, and 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 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
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the Food & Beverage industry, especially those connected to DNV. LinkedIn is your best mate here; drop them a message and ask for a chat about their experiences. You never know where a casual conversation might lead!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into DNV's certification schemes like SQF and COSTCO. Brush up on ISO/IEC standards too! Show them you’re not just familiar but passionate about the technical aspects of the role. It’ll set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up! Keep an eye on our website and apply directly through it. We love seeing proactive candidates who take the initiative. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. Mention something specific from your chat that excited you about the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Program Manager, Food & Beverage - Canada
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 makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
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. Familiarise yourself with the specific requirements and standards like ISO/IEC 17021 and ISO/IEC 17065. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also demonstrate your expertise.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Program Manager, you'll be leading a team of auditors. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, particularly in technical environments. Highlight your experience in providing guidance and support to auditors, as well as your ability to make sound technical decisions.
✨Engage with Real Scenarios
Be ready to discuss real-life scenarios where you've had to interpret standards or handle audit findings. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. This will show your problem-solving skills and your ability to apply your knowledge in practical situations.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Strong communication is key for this role. Practice articulating complex technical information in a clear and concise manner. Be prepared to explain how you would provide authoritative technical guidance to both internal teams and customers, ensuring they understand the certification processes.