Technical Manager, Food Safety

Company Overview
SCS Global Services is a pioneer and leader in the field of sustainability standards and third-party certification, working across the economy in the natural resources, built environment, food and agriculture, consumer products, and climate sectors for over 40 years. As a Benefit Corporation, we are committed to socially and environmentally responsible business practices, and through the application of sound science, we are driving positive change.

Job Overview
The Technical Manager oversees the execution of technical assessments, audits, and certification activities, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and high-quality deliverables. This role leads a team of technical staff and contract auditors, providing coaching, workload oversight, and performance feedback to ensure smooth project delivery. The Technical Manager collaborates closely with quality, program, and client-facing teams to resolve escalated issues and maintain adherence to standards and accreditation requirements. In addition, this role supports operational improvements, onboarding, and development of procedures to drive efficiency and strengthen technical performance across multiple programs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Technical Management

• Oversee and manage a portfolio of complex audits, ensuring technical quality, compliance, and timely delivery.
• Serve as lead auditor on select high-risk, high-visibility, or strategically important audits as needed.
• Review and approve audit plans, technical reports, verification statements, and closure of findings.
• Provide technical guidance and escalation support to quality assurance and scheme owners, as appropriate.
• Ensure appropriate technical resourcing and expertise are applied to each engagement.

Business Development and Strategic Technical Support

• Maintain current and thorough understanding of relevant accreditation standards through conference attendance and trainings
• Act as point of contact for accreditation requests and communications, including comments on draft normative documents
• Lead internal audit process, ensure nonconformities are closed
• Develop and implement procedures to increase quality and efficiency of auditing services
• Develop work instructions, internal guidance, and staff training materials
• Oversee program complaints procedure and investigations involving accreditation bodies
• Develop and ensure program procedures and documents comply with current accreditation standards

Program Quality and Development

• Ensure program compliance with SCS quality management systems, accreditation requirements, and standards.
• Lead identification, investigation, and resolution of quality issues, non-conformities, and complaints.
• Recommend, implement, and innovate program changes to improve quality, efficiency, and scalability.
• Oversee audit operations, workload planning, and resource allocation.
• Maintain current working knowledge of standards, methodologies, protocols, and regulatory requirements.

Team Leadership and Client Management

• Provide direct people management for staff and contract auditors, including performance management, coaching, and development.
• Conduct formal and informal performance reviews and address performance issues.
• Set clear expectations, objectives, and priorities for direct reports.
• Promote a positive, collaborative, and respectful work environment and resolve conflicts as needed.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training, and capability development of technical staff.

Client Managment and Team Support

• Maintain current understanding of relevant scheme requirements
• Conduct technical report reviews, make certification decisions, and manage certification process
• Issue and support process to approve suspensions, terminations, and reinstatements of certificates
• Attend trainings to maintain qualification to conduct audits, reviews, and certification decisions

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree Food science, food technology, or related discipline and
• 6+ years Professional experience in food safety, quality assurance, food manufacturing, auditing, certification, or related field and
• 2+ years of people leadership experience
• Strong customer service and teamwork skills (Advanced proficiency)
• Well-developed organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize numerous tasks effectively (Advanced proficiency)
• Strong computer skills, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and database systems (Intermediate proficiency)
• Well-developed organization skills, with the ability to prioritize numerous tasks effectively (Advanced proficiency)
• Strong customer services and teamwork skills (Advanced proficiency)
• Initiative, good judgement, and ability to work independently under pressure in a changing environment (Advanced proficiency)
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (Intermediate proficiency)
• Auditing SQF Systems or Auditing the SQF Code Requirements
• BRCGS Lead Auditor Training (Food Safety, Packaging Materials, and/or Storage & Distribution)
• HACCP Course (HACCP Alliance) - 2 days

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in related field
• Fluency with electronic communication media as well as database management systems, including programs such as Outlook, Word, Excel, FileMaker, Salesforce, and PowerPoint (Intermediate proficiency)
• ISO Lead Auditor Course

The above description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Additional duties outside of normal responsibilities may be required from time to time as assigned.

Working Remotely
SCS is recruiting all open roles to be remote; allowing our employees the ability to work flexibly and allowing SCS as a company to diversify the experience and perspectives of our growing workforce. This is a home-office based role and may include travel with local, domestic, and/or international trips. Details will be clarified during the recruitment process.

Estimated Annual Salary
$80,000 - $95,000

EEOC Statement
SCS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. SCS complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.