Global Technical Manager Business Assurance

We are SGS – the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 99,600 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

At SGS, we have an open corporate and international culture. We offer a dynamic work environment in a leading global company. Our high professional standards and our sustainability approach guarantee you a future-oriented work environment. We invest in our employees for the long term and are committed to supporting your development within the company. Our business principles include: Integrity, Health, Safety & Environment, Quality & Professionalism, Respect, Sustainability, and Leadership.

Primary Accountabilities

In this role, the Post-Holder will take overall responsibility for the technical development and management of the BA Division. In consultation with the BA Global Head of Certification they will set the overall technical and accreditation strategy for the Division. Through direct management responsibility for product and technical specialists, they will ultimately set and enforce the policies that determine product delivery across the organisation and will have the authority to enforce their decision at all levels in the affiliate network.

The post-holder plays a critical role in maintaining the BA Division’s “licence to operate” and is thus the final arbiter within the Division of those issues within the remit of the role.

Although the post-holder has limited direct P&L responsibility (except for the spending of their own department), the postholder must be commercially astute to ensure effective and efficient service delivery and this must inform all their actions. This in turn underwrites and enables BA’s profitability at a local level. The role thus has significant business impact.

The post-holder will achieve these overall objectives through:

• Managing international accreditation activities (e.g. UKAS, ANAB etc.) and support the network in the maintenance of local accreditations.
• Defining accreditation strategies, policies and internal systems and advising the BA Senior Management team accordingly.
• Providing effective technical direction and support to the BA certification business network to ensure anticipation, awareness, interpretation of external accreditation standards and requirements. Make final decision in the event of any disputes.
• Leading the global technical and accreditation functions to ensure the quality of the service delivered meets specified business and requirements.
• Working proactively with the Certification Business Teams to support development of enhanced customer services, anticipating and working to resolve potential conflicts to certification impartiality.
• Managing the overall relationship with global Accreditation Bodies, ensuring clear understanding and appreciation of SGS local and global structure, strategy and diversity of activities and establishing their confidence in SGS integrity and innovative solutions.
• Representing the BA Division externally, particularly acting as our Lead Representative on the International Independent Organisation for Certification (IIOC).
• Working constructively in cooperation with global ABs to ensure a cost-effective AB audit program.
• Leading and direct global technical team including the management of technical functions and staff.
• Identifying, lead and coordinate improvements and continuously review technical standards and simplify procedures, systems and requirements to assist operations to remain smooth, efficient and competitive.
• Leading the development, implementation and maintenance of systems and technical support processes throughout the BA certification business network to ensure optimum efficiency and compliance with Corporate objectives.
• Ensuring global procedural requirements and technical support processes for certification services are commercially viable.
• Lead and support the Certification Business Teams in the development of new products and certification services.
• Leading investigations arising from breaches of Integrity within an affiliate and instructing Business Managers on appropriate corrective actions; monitoring the implementation of corrective actions to ensure that good practice is restored and the affiliate is once again capable of independent operation.
• Work closely with other teams (e.g: IT) to envision the future development of the audit business and to develop new approaches and tools to ensure that we maintain our market-leading position.

Specific Responsibilities

• Act and be accountable as a senior member of the BA Certification Business Team to contribute expertise, knowledge etc. in the strategic direction of BA business.
• Act as lead advisor to the CBE Business Management team to provide guidance on matters relating to certification, accreditation, impartiality and general business growth.
• Maintain knowledge and understanding of core accreditation standards (17021, 17065 etc.), other generic accreditation requirements (e.g. IAF, EA) and ensure effective interpretation and implementation.
• Creation, approval and communication of core procedural requirements and documents to ensure effective communication and understanding of requirements.
• Maintain liaison and participation as required with external organizations e.g. IIOC Technical Group and IAF, EA as required, representing interests of SGS.
• Liaise with internal parties (operations, sales, IT plus product groups) to agree and define core systems and ensure IT and operations align and adopt best practice.
• Provide general support, influence and advise the network on technical / accreditation matters (advise or direct enquiries, communicate issues etc.).
• Oversight and support on Accreditation Body issues and feedback, advice and support to affiliates in delivery.
• Proactively identify, communicate issues and offer expert opinion and recommendations on issues relating to certification and accreditation that present potential opportunity / risk to the CBE business.
• Arbitrate and resolve accreditation / technical / operational / commercial conflict in the network.
• Continuously identify and initiate opportunities for improvement in systems and procedures etc.
• Directly / indirectly support key accreditations and accreditation activities (UKAS, ANAB, SAS + product specifics).
• Retain responsibility to fulfil the technical direction and leadership requirements of specific certification product(s) as required.

Qualifications

• Graduate level of studies or equivalent in a commercial or technical discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of business experience including audit and certification business with both technical and commercial responsibilities.
• Thorough understanding of certification and accreditation processes and requirements.
• Experience working within a technical /certification service provider.
• Experience as a Technical leader.

Required Skills:

• A solid understanding of Management System certification and accreditation structures and requirements.
• Experience as Lead Auditor / Trainer for accredited third party certification.
• Strategic outlook.
• Ability to foster innovation and challenge status quo.
• Ability to multi-task and manage conflicting priorities.
• Change management skills.
• Strong influencing skills with ability to inspire effective teamwork across a matrix organization and the ability to manage conflicts that arise.
• Strong and highly effective communicator at all levels, with both strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Commercial / business acumen.
• Proven people management skills.
• Fluent in English.
• Proficient in Microsoft suite (Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, and Outlook).
• Some flexibility to travel.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience in similar role within SGS, another CB or an Accreditation Body.
• Experience in implementation of new or significant changes to systems and practices.
• Ability to speak other languages.
• Proven experience as a trainer or coach either internally or externally to groups or individual.

Location: May be anywhere in network but needs to be able work closely and regularly with European Bodies and resources.

Additional Information

Why SGS? Global and very stable company, world leader in the TIC (Testing, Inspection and Certification) industry. Flexible schedule and hybrid model. SGS university and Campus for continuous learning options. Multinational environment where you will work with colleagues from multiple continents.

Join Us: At SGS we believe in innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We offer a supportive and inclusive work environment that encourages professional growth and personal development.