About SGS:

Make an impact with SGS! With more than 97,000 employees and 2,600 offices and laboratories across the world, SGS is a silent force working hard behind the scenes to deliver quality and integrity to businesses across nine industries. As the world’s leader in providing inspection, verification, testing and certification services, Forbes ranked the SGS Group as one of the world’s top multinationals and one of the world’s most innovative companies. The Dow Jones Sustainability Index has also recognized the SGS Group for its sustainability processes. In Canada, SGS employs over 2,000 team members across 70 locations.

This position is responsible for financial and operational performance of a branch and is accountable for directing, planning, organizing, and motivating employees in the performance of their responsibilities and functions. The Branch Manager (BM) is accountable for, and ensures that the branch meets operational and customer expectations in a timely and effective manner while in compliance to corporate quality, environmental, Health & Safety requirements.

Branch Manager is also responsible for the high level technical and scientific integrity, and services development primarily for the Agriculture and Food Laboratory and associated services. This includes strategic development of the laboratory in alignment with divisional (corporate) needs and regulatory requirements, as well as scientific oversight that the right things are being done to meet specific requirements in key regulatory jurisdictions (Health Canada, Canadian Food Inspection agency, etc).

The Branch Manager is accountable for managing all aspects of the operation and for ensuring that the Laboratory Director is kept current and informed on all aspects of the branch activities that have any direct or indirect impact on financial, quality and H&S.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Focus on three key pillars in the lab: Food Chemistry, Microbiology, Customer service
• Identify the root cause for non-conformances and customer cases and implement sound corrective actions
• Provide technical input for customers
• Accountable for ensuring that the quality of data, current methodologies and the execution of the methods are in compliance with the current accreditation under ISO 17025 / 9001.
• Accountable for ensuring that an appropriate and planned training program with documentation is executed and measured for all personnel under direction. This includes HSE, quality system awareness and continuous technical improvement
• Accountable for delivering management reports as necessary (i.e. monthly revenue targets)
• Finding new and innovative ways for improving production efficiencies by working towards continuous improvement in production and to improve efficiency without compromising data quality.
• Efficient planning to improve throughput and implement cross training 
• Conflict resolution in a professional manner
• Working through his/her supervisors to solve day-to-day production and process problems, provide technical and operational leadership and guidance to all staff
• Increase new capabilities in the laboratory 
• Prepares business plans for the branch to achieve annual budgets and Agriculture Services strategic/business plans accordingly.
• Represent the business to clients, peers and employees and act with professionalism at all times (verbal, email correspondence).
• Ensures that company policies are followed and understood by all personnel.
• Monitors and reports weekly highlights, monthly revenue predictions, production status (i.e. # samples processed/personnel, Revenue/personnel, KPIs).
• Participate in weekly and annual management meetings and summarize branch operational performance.
• Reviews all Cap-Ex requisitions prior to submitting to the Business Manager.
• Participate and conduct business development activities to expand the business operation.
• Responsible for timesheet approvals and consumables management & timely approval of supplies.

• Bachelors Degree required, Masters or Ph.D. preferred
• Minimum of 10 years in a laboratory setting, Food Laboratory experience preferred
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in leadership with personnel handling
• Financial management experience is preferred
• Experience in conflict resolution
• Knowledge of the Canadian Agricultural and Food sectors (Grain, Meat, Fishery, etc.) is preferred.
• Proven ability to manage and coordinate multiple projects in a fast-paced, highly professional environment.
• Ability to work well with others & independently.
• Excellent organizational skills
• Proven time management skills and a strong attention to detail.
• Work well under pressure.
• Extended hours and shift work may be required from time to time.
• Travel to other SGS locations or client location may be required

SGS Canada is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to achieving greater accessibility by providing accommodation for people with disabilities during our hiring process. Accommodations are available on request for qualified candidates during each stage of the recruitment process.

Please note that candidates applying for Canadian job openings should be authorized to work in Canada.