Job OverviewThe Senior Assurance Manager is responsible for the development, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of assurance frameworks supporting SAS-developed standards, certification programs, and responsible sourcing initiatives. This position serves as the lead assurance expert within SAS and is responsible for ensuring that certification and verification programs are technically robust, credible, practical, and aligned with international best practices and evolving regulatory expectations.
The Senior Assurance Manager oversees certification body approval and oversight processes, develops certification protocols and assurance procedures, and provides strategic guidance regarding claims substantiation, chain of custody systems, and conformity assessment requirements. The role is also responsible for monitoring emerging legislation, regulatory developments, and market expectations related to sustainability claims, environmental marketing, responsible sourcing, and certification systems to ensure SAS programs remain credible, compliant, and future-ready.
In addition, the Senior Assurance Manager serves as a senior advisor to clients, providing technical advisory services related to assurance system design, certification readiness, claims governance, chain of custody implementation, and responsible sourcing programs. The successful candidate will be capable of helping organizations navigate complex assurance challenges, translating regulatory and market expectations into practical, defensible solutions that enhance credibility while supporting business objectives.
The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in conformity assessment and accreditation principles, particularly ISO/IEC 17065 and/or ISO/IEC 17021, combined with significant experience in voluntary sustainability standards and certification systems. They are an innovative and highly analytical thinker who can apply best practices across industries, identify emerging risks and opportunities, and develop assurance approaches that balance rigor, stakeholder confidence, operational feasibility, and market adoption. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong systems thinking, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to connect concepts across sectors to create assurance solutions that are both credible and practical.
Relevant Standards/SchemesAll SCS Standards Development
Starbucks C.A.F.E. Practices
Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesAssurance System Development and Oversight
- Lead the design, implementation, and revision of assurance systems (protocols, assurance procedures, guidance, technical interpretations, etc.) supporting certification, verification, and responsible sourcing programs
- Serve as the organization's internal subject matter expert on assurance systems and conformity assessment practices, providing opportunities to strengthen assurance effectiveness while reducing unnecessary complexity and administrative burden
- Oversee and conduct performance evaluations of approved certification bodies and identify opportunities for improvement
- Ensure assurance requirements remain aligned with internationally recognized conformity assessment principles and accreditation expectations by applying lessons learned and best practices from diverse industries and certification schemes
- Evaluate new assurance methodologies, audit approaches, and technologies to strengthen program integrity and effectiveness
- Contribute to development of new certification and verification programs by ensuring auditability, verifiability, and operational feasibility of proposed requirements
Claims and Regulatory Landscape
- Review and evaluate certification-related claims to ensure accuracy, substantiation, and consistency with program requirements
- Monitor emerging legislation, regulations, and policy developments affecting sustainability claims, environmental marketing, responsible sourcing, chain of custody systems, and certification programs
- Provide strategic recommendations regarding regulatory risks, claims governance, and assurance implications
- Support development of policies and procedures that strengthen market confidence and program credibility
Strategic Support
- Participate in stakeholder consultations, working groups, conferences, and industry initiatives
- Provide technical support to advisory service projects requiring expertise in assurance, certification systems, claims substantiation, or chain of custody
- Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned
Minimum Qualifications- Bachelor's Degree in Sustainability, Environmental Science, Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Public Policy, Business, or a related field and
- 8+ years of professional experience in certification, auditing, assurance systems, standards development, conformity assessment, responsible sourcing, or a related field
- Demonstrated expertise with ISO/IEC 17065 and/or ISO/IEC 17021
- Significant experience working with voluntary sustainability standards and certification programs
- Experience developing, implementing, managing, or auditing chain of custody systems
- Strong understanding of certification body operations, audit processes, and accreditation frameworks
- Outstanding technical writing, analytical, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to synthesize complex technical, regulatory, and market information into practical assurance solutions
- Proven project management and stakeholder management experience
- Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities and deadlines
- Complete fluency in English with experience in professional and technical written and verbal communication
- Strong strategic thinking and creative problem-solving skills
Preferred Qualifications- Master's Degree in a relevant field
- Auditor, accreditation, or assurance management experience
- Experience with sustainability claims, environmental marketing claims, recycled content, responsible sourcing, agricultural, climate, or circular economy programs
- Experience working with accreditation bodies, certification bodies, standard-setting organizations, or multinational sustainability initiatives
- Familiarity with evolving sustainability regulations and green claims legislation in Europe and North America
- Demonstrated ability to apply assurance best practices across multiple industries and certification systems
- Experience designing assurance frameworks for emerging sustainability topics
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 RemotelySCS 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$76,000 - $100,000
