Job Description:
The mission of Fair Trade USA's Certification Department is to ensure integrity and compliance with the Fair Trade USA Standards and with the Assurance Program. This position is responsible for managing all stages of certification from initiation through certification. The best candidate will have a strong business analysis background, and solid certification management fundamentals.
The Certification Manager oversees and manages multiple simultaneous certification processes of various sizes and complexity and acts as the liaison between Certification Bodies and Fair Trade USA business teams.
Compensation/Salary:
DOE
Requirements:
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At least 5 years of certification experience, preferably with a Certification Body. Experience with documenting certification requirements.
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A demonstrated record managing compliance, auditing, quality management systems, or ISO implementation.
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Process and data oriented, strong project management skills, and familiarity with project management tools.
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Track record of exceptional customer service, supported by excellent written, technical, and verbal communication skills in English.
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Must be able to prioritize work effectively, problem solve, and handle detail-oriented work in a highly organized manner.
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Demonstrated ability to be flexible, adaptable, and able to multi-task in a fast-paced and business-oriented environment.
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Ability to travel inside and outside of the USA.
Responsibilities & Duties:
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Manage multiple diverse projects and processes end-to-end, including ensuring adherence to all certification deliverables and timelines.
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Perform certification control activities, including but not limited to, creating and maintaining certification plans, health reports. Risk, Action, Issue and Decision logs, certification change requests, and related documentation.
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Communicate proactively with internal stakeholders regarding the certification process, for ongoing audit and certification activities.
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Directly manage the daily operations and certification cases with third party certification bodies, analysts and auditors.
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Process, investigate, create reports and follow up on certification cases, complaints, integrity issues, and certification bodies; performance.
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Work with data team to ensure audit reports are accurately translated to functional and technical specs.
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Work with the standards team to develop appropriate interpretations to help guide certification bodies during the audit process.
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Work across teams to share lessons learned and best practices in auditing and certification.
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Liaise with the other internal teams to develop and improve cross departmental processes.
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Provide clear certification guidance to internal stakeholders.
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Work effectively as a team member, supporting peers, and providing certification insights and solutions to help improve internal and external customer service.
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Support the Certification Senior Manager in the maintenance of internal and external policies and procedures, and identification of areas for improvement.
Skills:
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Deep familiarity with global sustainability, voluntary certifications and supply chain landscapes.
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Proven experience managing stakeholder expectations in certification projects.
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A passion for Fair Trade USA’s mission, vision, and accomplishments.
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Self-motivated with a tolerance for ambiguity and change.
- Ability to assimilate knowledge quickly and effectively.
- Ability to communicate in other languages is an advantage (Spanish, Mandarin, Bahasa).