QAagency is working with a UKAS-accredited Certification Body to recruit an experienced Senior Lead Auditor & Certification Decision Maker. This is a senior technical role combining third-party management system auditing with audit report review, technical review and, where formally authorised, certification decision-making.
The role would suit an experienced Lead Auditor who is comfortable working across client sites, from home and from the company’s Derby office. Regular UK travel and occasional overnight stays will be required.
The successful candidate will primarily be responsible for leading and conducting third-party certification audits against ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001. This will include single-standard, integrated and multi-site audits across a range of clients, including rail and other safety-critical sectors where appropriate.
Alongside audit delivery, you will support audit report reviews and technical reviews to ensure reports are complete, technically accurate and compliant with internal procedures. Where formally authorised, you will also make certification decisions relating to the granting, maintenance, renewal, extension, reduction, suspension, restoration and withdrawal of certification.
The role will involve supporting certification enquiries, application reviews, audit planning, scope definition, audit-duration calculations, multi-site sampling and integrated management system planning. You will also provide technical input into the allocation of competent audit resources and support the effective delivery of certification programmes.
You will work closely with the wider Certification Body team to support UKAS office and witnessed assessments, including evidence preparation, responses to findings and extension-to-scope activities. The position will also contribute to auditor competence assessments, witnessed activities, authorisation recommendations, internal audits, management reviews and continual improvement of the Certification Body’s management system.
The successful candidate will be an experienced third-party Lead Auditor with a strong track record of leading management system certification audits. You should have completed a recognised Lead Auditor course and have demonstrable audit competence in ISO 9001 together with at least one of ISO 14001 or ISO 45001.
You should have a good working knowledge of ISO/IEC 17021-1, applicable IAF Mandatory Documents and the requirements surrounding accredited management system certification. Experience of application review, scope definition, certification-cycle management, audit-duration determination, multi-site sampling and integrated management system certification will be important.
Previous experience of audit report review, technical review or certification decision-making within an accredited Certification Body would be highly advantageous. However, candidates who can demonstrate the competence and experience required to achieve formal authorisation following appointment will also be considered.
Experience of UKAS or equivalent accreditation assessments is required, along with broad engineering, technical or equivalent industry experience. Rail-sector or other safety-critical industry experience would be particularly advantageous.
You will need strong report writing, communication and stakeholder-management skills, together with the ability to assess evidence objectively and make clear, consistent and defensible decisions.
A full UK driving licence is required, along with willingness to travel nationally and stay away overnight when required.
Desirable Experience
- Existing authorisation as an audit report reviewer, technical reviewer or certification decision maker
- Rail-sector auditing, engineering or operational experience
- Integrated and multi-site certification programmes
- ISO 50001 and energy management system certification
- Quality management, business improvement or project management experience
- Experience supporting proposals, service development or responsible business development