Global Technical Manager - Business Assurance, Certification

About the role

SGS, a global testing, inspection and certification company, is recruiting a Global Technical Manager for its Business Assurance Certification business. This is a senior, fully remote leadership role reporting to the Global Head of Certification (QHSE), Product & Quality Management for Business Assurance. It sets the technical framework, accreditation strategy, certification policies and governance controls that ensure consistent, compliant and commercially effective service delivery across the SGS affiliate network. Only candidates with a valid work permit in their country of residence are invited to apply.

Key responsibilities

• Set the global technical and accreditation strategy in consultation with the Global Head of Certification and business leadership.
• Lead and manage global technical and accreditation functions, including product, technical and accreditation specialists across multiple countries and regions.
• Define, approve and enforce global certification policies, technical requirements, accreditation controls and operating standards.
• Make final technical decisions on disputes, interpretation issues or compliance risks, and represent the division externally and as delegate of the Global Head of Certification.
• Manage relationships with global and local Accreditation Bodies (e.g. UKAS, ANAB, SAS) and lead investigations and corrective action for technical, accreditation or integrity failures.
• Drive simplification, digitalisation and continuous improvement of technical processes, systems and delivery models.
• Support development of new certification products and services, and maintain technical direction for specific certification products or schemes.

Required profile

• Graduate-level qualification or equivalent professional experience in a relevant technical, scientific, engineering, management system, commercial or governance discipline.
• At least 10 years of certification and/or accreditation experience, including significant management system certification in an accredited third-party environment.
• Substantial global or multi-region certification leadership experience; single-country, single-affiliate or consultancy-only experience is not sufficient.
• Proven experience leading geographically dispersed, culturally diverse technical teams, including direct or matrix management of senior specialists.
• Track record of setting or enforcing technical policy, accreditation strategy and governance controls at regional or global level.
• Fluent written and spoken English.

Required skills

• Strong technical command of management system certification and accreditation requirements, including ISO/IEC 17021-1, ISO/IEC 17065, IAF and EA.
• Senior technical leadership, strategic outlook and high-impact influencing skills in a matrix organisation.
• People leadership, coaching and performance management of senior technical professionals.
• Change management and conflict resolution without compromising certification integrity.