Food & Sustainability Customized Solutions, Global Manager

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.

ROLE PURPOSE

There are distinct but related areas of responsibility for this role:

• Lead and drive the operational and commercial development of the Global Food Customized Audit sub-unit in line with the Food Business Assurance growth strategy.
• Lead the development of the Food sustainability portfolio in line with the Sustainability strategic plan in alignment with Supply Chain Services (SCS) business unit to ensure corporate and divisional objectives and growth targets are met.
• Demonstrate a strong digital mindset, interpreting how data and technology can enhance food business assurance performance and operational efficiency to drive commercial outcomes.

REPORTING LINE

Head of Food, Business Assurance

MAIN RESPONSIBILITES

Global Food Customized Audits

• Define strategy and roadmap for the growth of customized audits, voluntary certification schemes (non-accredited) in line with the overall Food Business Assurance strategic plan.
• Ensure sustainable revenue growth in line with budgeted targets with Food Customized Solutions.
• Implement an efficient and robust operational/technical model for the execution of international customised audit contracts to ensure technical consistency across the regions.
• Work closely with Head of International Sales & Global Key Account Management and their team to ensure KPIs for global contracts are met and that the execution plan for new customized audit contracts is clear, efficient and meets the expectations.
• Lead the technical team for Global Food Key Accounts throughout the execution process, ensuring that all technical resources undertake the appropriate qualification, training and calibration process in line with the global 2nd party audit food guidelines and to meet individual program requirements.
• Working closely with the Global Food Certification Team, managing the performance of global food technical resources (e.g. auditors, technical reviewers, technical managers) providing the training, qualification and coaching means to contribute towards their continual improvement.
• Support the commercial teams with technical guidance in responding to new prospects.
• Lead the development of voluntary certification/authorized programs aligned to the Food Business Assurance global strategy, working closely with the Food Certification Manager.
• Align the delivery of voluntary food certification schemes with established 3rd party certification procedures to maintain operational consistency.
• Lead the development and launch of a global portfolio of new food training solutions in line with emerging trends and business requirements by working closely with SGS Academy.  

Global Food Sustainability Solutions

• Develop and maintain strong knowledge of sustainability issues and trends as they relate to the food industry and the food supply chain.
• Identify new revenue streams and define a roadmap in food sustainability service development that is aligned and contributes strongly to the achievement of Sustainability goals.
• Develop the food service portfolio to include customized audits and voluntary certification schemes that cover the entire scope of sustainable agricultural supply chains, from farm to fork.
• Establish close working relationships with key stakeholders, especially teams under the Global Head of Sustainability for Business Assurance, in line with the strategic priorities.

Digital

• Lead the advancement of the Quality, Risk, and Compliance (QRC) platform to cover customized food and sustainability solutions including requirements for custom developmenmts.
• Working closely with the global IT and Supply Chain Services teams to develop the appropriate data mapping processes, intelligence dashboards and data analytics methodologies.
• Working closely to ensure the deployment of appropriate digital solutions for food and sustainability are aligned with customized audit and voluntary certification programs where appropriate.  

General

• Lead a team of 7 direct reports including Global Food Technical Managers and subject matter experts who will provide specialist support to the technical development of new projects, oversee technical performance of global contracts, directly liaise with clients where their expertise is required and provide overall technical support to International Sales and Global Key Account Managers.
• Monitor food competitor activity in related areas to ensure SGS remains competitive and share key information with internal stakeholders.
• Represent SGS in key industry working groups, technical committees and at other appropriate events.
• Support marketing with required specialist support relating to social media, PR, website, webinars, etc, to ensure maximum visibility of the SGS brand and services.
• Work in accordance with the Company’s Code of Integrity.
• At all times, adopt a safe behavior by exercising due regard for the health and safety of employees and clients, in line with policies and procedures.

Note, this job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job.

• 10+ years of food industry experience
• 5+ years Testing, Inspection & Certification (TIC) sector experience
• Min. bachelor’s degree in food science, microbiology, chemistry or related scientific discipline
• Broad experience of food safety principles, food safety and quality management systems, food manufacturing processes with understanding of food industry trends and challenges facing the sector across different segment categories
• Experienced people leader in a global food role with a commercial mindset
• Product development experience using digital platforms, digital applications and digital solutions (from concept to market)

REQUIRED SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Leadership and people management (experience in leading technical teams)
• Ability to execute a global strategy and translate it into defined actions
• Strong project management experience (with ability to manage conflicting priorities across multiple countries or projects)
• Thought leadership, innovative mindset and ability to work with ambiguity, thinking outside the box
• Strong commercial and business acumen driving growth initiatives
• Ability to use artificial intelligence tools and applications
• Leverage digital platforms to manage, analyze, and interpret data across global food supply chains
• Pragmatic and strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Analyze financial and operational data to support prioritization, and performance improvement.
• Ability to assert influence and expertise when required
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative style  
• Strong verbal and written communication and presentation skills
• Ability to manage multiple and conflicting priorities across countries (in different time zones) and projects
• Fluent in English language (other languages will be an advantage)

Why Join Business Assurance

• Lead Total Rewards for a global division operating in 90 countries.
• Create high-impact reward strategies in a business undergoing transformation and growth.
• Work closely with Group Total Rewards while shaping the future of BA’s people strategy.
• Exposure to executive stakeholders, global complexity, and meaningful transformation.