Certification Program Manager

Description

Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) is excited to announce that we are seeking Certification Program Managers (CPMs) to join our team. The CPM leads a designated certification review subteam and oversees a designated portion of PCO’s annual certification workflow, ensuring effective and consistent implementation of certification under the USDA National Organic Program and other organic standards.

As a key people leader, the CPM guides and supervises members of the team, aligning individual performance and team operations to meet organizational goals. They translate certification policies and priorities into actionable team workflows and monitor performance against targets.In this capacity, they are responsible for executing certification policies and positions to attain organizational objectives, all the while fostering a culture of compassion and alignment with the organization's mission among PCO staff. This includes providing direct supervision to Certification Specialists.

PCO is a growing non-profit organization that works with farmers and food producers across the US. PCO provides organic certification services to more than 1600 operations, employs approximately 40 staff, and sub-contracts with around 50 inspectors. Our staff are dedicated to our vision: A world where agriculture systems prioritize health, ecological balance, fairness and care. and we are committed to a work culture of purpose, caring, and results.

This position is fully remote with minimal travel. The salary for this position will be $78,000 - $86,000. This position will remain open until filled. For more information on our benefits, click here.

Qualifications

Position Summary:

The Certification Program Manager (CPM) leads a designated certification review subteam and oversees a designated portion of PCO’s annual certification workflow, ensuring effective and consistent implementation of certification under the USDA National Organic Program and other organic standards. As a key people leader, the CPM guides and supervises members of the team, aligning individual performance and team operations to meet organizational goals. They translate certification policies and priorities into actionable team workflows and monitor performance against targets. In this capacity, they are responsible for executing certification policies and positions to attain organizational objectives, all the while fostering a culture of compassion and alignment with the organization's mission among PCO staff. This includes providing direct supervision to Certification Specialists.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Team Leadership

• Provide proactive leadership to the Certification Review Team; ensuring staff are supported, valued, and empowered to meet individual and team goals. supports hiring, training, and ongoing management of personnel to achieve organizational results and ensure that PCO staff are cared for and valued.
• Drive any necessary culture change and performance improvement through hands-on coaching, mentoring in staff performance through coaching, mentoring, and professional development, supporting both individual and organizational outcomes.to deliver team and individual goals.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, provide ongoing feedback and manage any other personnel people issues in conjunction with the Certification Deputy Director and HR
• Oversee all aspects of team management, including onboarding training, workflow planning, and performance monitoring to ensure certification decisions are timely, consistent and aligned with PCO’s mission and strategic goals.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high performing team culture rooted in compassion, accountability and continuous learning.

Change Management & Adaptive Leadership

• Support the implementation and refinement of the team-based certification service model, including documenting lessons learned and building sustainable processes.
• Lead the team through periods of change with clear communication, empathy, and an orientation toward learning and improvement.
• Identify and communicate operational impacts of evolving regulatory requirements or internal process changes.
• Collaborate across departments to align change initiatives with broader organizational goals.
• Facilitate opportunities for staff feedback and engagement during transitions and actively incorporate insights into change strategies.
• Participate in industry working groups, task forces, listserv discussions, and other relevant training/events to stay current on rulemaking, industry developments, and trends.

Certification & Compliance

• Implement and monitor strategies aligned with annual work plan goals; support team workflow processes and prioritization of client files, including assigning and performing reviews when appropriate.
• Manage team metrics and evaluation tools to measure performance, identify trends, and optimize services.
• Allocate team resources collaboratively to ensure a high level of customer service, consistency, timeliness, and quality of reviews and decisions.
• Oversee and support the adverse action process and ensure quality and consistency, including mediations, settlements, and reinstatements.
• Implement a customer service strategy that enhances the certification journey and supports client retention.
• Oversee, monitor, and administer the process for reinstatements and export certificate issuance, including approval and documentation.
• Partner with Quality to support compliance with accreditation requirements, audit plans, and resolution of findings/NCs.
• Support communication with relevant stakeholder groups (internal & external) to ensure timely, inclusive, and transparent communication.
• Contribute to the development of training, procedures, forms, and policies to support continuous improvement and compliance.
• Assist with complaints, investigations, appeals, and legal actions as necessary.

Job Requirements:

Position-Specific:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent combination of education and training.
• Minimum three years of experience in organic certification.
• Minimum of three years as a supervisor/people manager.
• Team leadership experience preferred.
• Knowledge of USDA organic standards and demonstrated education, training, or professional experience in agriculture, science, or organic production/handling relevant to assigned duties.
• Strong regulatory compliance experience.
• Experience with database management preferred.
• Ability to attend events or trainings that require travel.

General:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to work independently while coordinating and communicating effectively with others.
• Strong planning and teamwork skills.
• Proficiency with common software tools (word processing, spreadsheets, databases, internet research).

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

The bullet points below are representative of the physical demands and working environment that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Standard / Remote office setting; proximity to office equipment that includes electronic devices.
• Must remain at a workstation for at least 50% of the time; will need to use equipment that includes electronic devices.
• Perceive and interact with text, media, and people.
• Communicate and accurately exchange information with text, media, and people.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Moderate travel required. This role requires travel by car, air, or other transportation and the employee should be able to withstand the demands of regular travel.
• May be required to be exposed outdoors to sun and other elements.
• May be required to ambulate long distances in fields, facilities, and training locations, and/or other relevant sites.