2 months ago
Job Summary
We are seeking a Certification Manager to lead the overall management of our certification operations.
- Minimum Qualification : Highschool
- Experience Level : Senior level
- Experience Length : 7 years
Job Description/Requirements
Role Purpose: We are seeking a Certification Manager to lead the overall management of our certification operations. This is a senior role that ensures the quality, credibility, and efficiency of all certification activities (across FSMS, QMS, and other schemes). The Certification Manager will oversee audit program management, certification decisions, and team competencies, working to maintain compliance with international accreditation requirements while upholding the integrity and impartiality of the certification process.
Key Responsibilities:
- Oversee the end-to-end certification process for all management system schemes (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO 22000 and other standards offered by Qualisol Certs). This includes planning audit programmes, ensuring audits are conducted to high standards, and that certification decisions are made impartially and timely.
- Ensure the certification body’s activities fully comply with applicable international standards (ISO/IEC 17021-1 for management system certification) and scheme-specific requirements.
- Regularly review and update procedures to align with best practices and any changes in accreditation criteria.
- Lead and mentor the auditing team and technical experts: participate in hiring, training, and qualifying auditors; monitor auditor performance and consistency; and organize ongoing professional development to build team competence in various sectors.
- Manage audit assignments and schedules in coordination with the operations/admin team, ensuring the right skill sets and sector expertise are assigned to each audit, and that any potential conflicts of interest are avoided (safeguarding impartiality).
- Review audit reports and recommendations from lead auditors, and chair or participate in certification decision committees to grant, maintain, extend, suspend, or withdraw certifications. Make informed, unbiased certification decisions based on evidence and in line with the company’s procedures and accreditation requirements.
- Serve as the primary liaison with accreditation bodies and regulatory authorities. Prepare for and participate in accreditation audits (e.g., KEBS or international accreditation assessments), address any non-conformities, and implement corrective actions to continually improve our management system.
- Oversee the development and updating of audit documents, tools, and guidance (checklists, report templates, competence criteria) to enhance the effectiveness and consistency of our certification activities.
- Handle escalated client inquiries, appeals, or complaints related to audits and certification decisions in a fair, timely, and effective manner. Ensure client feedback is used to improve our services while maintaining impartiality.
- Promote a culture of integrity, professionalism, and customer centricity within the certification team. Drive initiatives that foster innovation in service delivery and improved customer experience without compromising impartiality or compliance.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Quality Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Food Science, or other technical disciplines. An advanced degree or professional certification in management systems (e.g., CQI IRCA Certified, Certified Quality Manager) is an advantage.
- Professional Certifications: Certified Lead Auditor in at least one major management system standard (ISO 9001, ISO 22000 or similar). Having multiple lead auditor qualifications across QMS, FSMS, or other schemes (EMS, OHSMS, etc.) is highly desirable.
- Industry & Audit Experience: A minimum of 7–10 years of experience in the conformity assessment or quality assurance field. This should include significant experience in management systems auditing/certification and at least a few years in a leadership or managerial capacity. Experience working across various industries (such as manufacturing, food processing, services, etc.) is important to oversee diverse certification scopes.
- In-depth knowledge of ISO/IEC 17021-1 requirements for certification bodies and a strong grasp of ISO 19011 auditing principles. Familiarity with accreditation processes and the role of accreditation bodies is expected.
- Demonstrated ability to manage and develop a team – including competency assessment, performance management, and training of auditors or technical staff. You should be able to inspire trust and drive a high-performance culture aligned with Qualisol’s values.
- Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills, especially in evaluating audit results and making impartial certification decisions. Able to analyze complex situations where technical, regulatory, and client considerations intersect, and come to a balanced judgment.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Capable of effectively communicating with clients at executive levels, auditors, accreditation assessors, and other stakeholders. Able to write clear policies, reports, and official communications.
- High level of integrity and impartiality in all actions – must be committed to upholding the credibility of the certification process above all else.
- Strategic mindset with an innovative approach to improve processes. Familiarity with digital tools for audit management or certification workflow systems is a plus.
- Regulatory Awareness: Broad awareness of statutory and regulatory requirements across different sectors (e.g., food safety regulations, industrial standards, labor and safety regulations) and how they relate to management system audits. (While not expected to be an expert in all, you should be able to guide auditors in considering regulatory compliance as part of certification.)
What We Offer:
- A leadership role with significant influence on the quality and integrity of certification services in Africa. You will contribute directly to raising standards and trust in certified management systems across many industries.
- The chance to lead a talented team of auditors and technical experts, with support for further professional training and attending international forums or workshops to keep you and the team at the cutting edge of certification practices.
- A collaborative and inclusive work environment that values Integrity and Impartiality above all, ensuring that our decisions are respected and credible. We also foster Innovation and welcome the Certification Manager’s input on new service offerings, digitalization, and process improvements.
- Competitive remuneration and benefits package, commensurate with the seniority of the role, including performance incentives aligned with maintaining high-quality standards and client satisfaction.
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