Scheme Manager Food Certification

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 97,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Managing Food Certification Schemes and a team of auditors in accordance with the different Standard and accreditation requirements where applicable, as well as the SGS Global System and Product procedures.

The purpose of this role is to provide dedicated technical, administrative, and systems support to the responsible Technical Manager, as well as to the auditors operating within these technical areas. The role ensures accurate management of the audit process, supports qualification and approval processes, facilitates effective use of Business Assurance systems, and contributes to maintaining compliance, quality, and operational efficiency within the assigned technical domains.

Maintaining Lead Auditor status for at least one of the applicable standards and maintaining accreditation for the relevant standards.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Management of the different Food Scheme requirements (ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, FSSC 22000 Development Program, BRCGS, SANS 10330, GMP, GDP and retail food programs).
• Manage auditors on a day-to-day basis and support auditors with administrative, IT and audit related issues with the assistance of the Technical Manager if required.
• Offering guidance with audit planning and preparation of audit programs including international affiliates.
• Assisting with resources – from sourcing to onboarding; including signing off auditors.
• Auditor training and development.
• Technical review and certification decision of audit packs as relevant and required.
• Support Quality Manager with the maintenance of local accreditation for HACCP (SANS 10330) and implementing procedures to facilitate this, where necessary.
• Implementing and adhering to accreditation or Scheme requirements as relevant.
• Assist in the development, control and maintenance of system documents.
• Conducting audits based on the requirements of the Schemes.
• Ensure performance targets and quality KPI's of post audit processes are maintained at all times.
• Assist with business development for BA business and support Sales with client follow-up visits as and when required.
• Liaison with external stakeholders, other affiliates and Global Product Managers as and when required.
• Any other technical auditing tasks that may be assigned from time to time.
• Support the Academy with the development of new training materials and courses from a technical point of view.
• Adhere to all quality and safety requirements of the SGS management system.
• Perform any other reasonable tasks as assigned by direct line manager.

SPECIFIC AUTHORITIES

• Cease the use of any equipment that may be deemed to constitute a safety hazard or entry to hazardous environments without the necessary knowledge and protection and report the situation to higher authority to take action to address the hazard.
• Cease to carry on with work that may affect the quality (integrity) of services and report the situation to higher authority to take action to address the issue.
• Initiate a formal improvement request when a deviation of the system occurs, possible improvements are identified or when nonconformity is identified.

Education

• Minimum 3-year tertiary qualification in food science / technology / biological science or related degree
• Meet Auditor's qualifications for food standards.
• Languages: Proficiency in English
• Proficient in MS Office, especially with Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel and Teams

Experience

• 5 – 10 years’, post qualification experience related to the food industry. This shall involve work in quality assurance, product safety, technical management, or risk management functions within manufacturing, inspection or enforcement.
• Knowledge and experience in project management and operations management
• Extensive knowledge in the application of ISO 17021 / ISO 22003 requirements
• Experience in the following will be advantageous:
• Managing competency records, databases, or system-based records
• Coordinating or facilitating onboarding processes for staff and/or contractors
• Providing first-level user or system support
• Capturing, monitoring, and reporting on KPIs or performance metrics
• Customer service and stakeholder liaison
• Exposure to certification bodies, auditing environments, or accreditation systems (ISO 17021 / 17065) will be advantageous

REQUIRED SKILLS

Core Requirements

• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Able to interact with all levels of management, suppliers, and clients
• Decisive, practical, and able to work under pressure and able to make tough calls
• Works well under pressure with confidence to challenge the status quo.
• Highly organised and able to manage multiple tasks independently
• Strong attention to detail and data accuracy, record‑keeping, and document control skills
• Solid administrative and computer skills with timely reporting
• Customer-focused with professional communication (written and verbal)
• Relevant technical knowledge (including fundamentals)
• Problem-solving ability, including escalation where needed
• Ability to train others on systems and processes
• Works effectively within a structured team environment
• High integrity and commitment to quality, compliance and adherence to management system requirements

Advantageous Skills

• Advanced Food Safety and ISO standards knowledge relevant to the supported technical domains
• Experience in certification / Business Assurance environments
• Strong systems experience (CertIQ, DigiApp, audit systems)
• Data analysis and reporting (Excel, Power BI, KPIs)
• Experience supporting technical leadership roles
• Process improvement and stakeholder management experience
• Experience working within an accredited certification body or Business Assurance environment