Job Description

The Project Manager manages a portfolio of organic certification projects across North America, Mexico, and the EU for QAI, an accredited organic certifier. The role coordinates the end-to-end certification workflow from application through decision and annual updates, serves as the primary client contact, maintains audit ready documentation, and ensures timely, accurate progression of project milestones in accordance with applicable program and accreditation requirements. This role operates within a highly collaborative project management team, requiring close coordination, shared workload balancing, and ongoing communication to ensure consistent service delivery and team success.

Responsibilities

• Manage certification projects from intake through decision and renewal, including document readiness, inspection scheduling, post inspection follow up, and project closure
• Oversee the completeness and accuracy of each client's Organic System Plan to support inspection and review requirements
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned clients, explaining certification steps, clarifying documentation needs, providing status updates, and coordinating corrective actions to closure
• Coordinate activities with Technical Review, Inspection Scheduling, Operations, Sales, Accounting, and fellow Project Managers to ensure timely, accurate progression through each stage of the certification process
• Work closely with fellow Project Managers to coordinate workloads, share coverage, align priorities, and support collective delivery goals within a team-based operating model
• Maintain project schedules, dependencies, and risk and issue logs; escalate obstacles early and keep stakeholders informed
• Advance department and company revenue goals by sequencing work to meet billing timelines, aligning stakeholders to protect on time completion and invoicing, supporting pricing discipline, and helping prevent revenue leakage
• Support client retention by maintaining predictable communication, closing the loop on feedback, and resolving complaints within expected timeframes
• Meet turnaround time expectations by managing capacity proactively and reallocating work as needed to keep projects moving
• Maintain complete, accurate, audit ready project files and system records in alignment with accreditation and internal quality expectations; provide documentation and process explanations for internal and external audits
• Collaborate with sales team to identify NSF cross-program opportunities and capture qualified leads that support company growth objectives
• Participate in continuous improvement and change initiatives that simplify workflows, improve documentation quality and data accuracy, reduce cycle time, and strengthen the client experience
• Actively share knowledge and provide day-to-day support to colleagues, contributing to consistent practices, cross-coverage, and a close-knit, collaborative project management team culture

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Qualifications

• Two or more years of account management, client management, or project management
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with strong planning, organization, communication, and stakeholder coordination
• Clear written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate technical requirements into practical client guidance
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment, balancing individual responsibilities with shared accountability and collaborative decision-making
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications
• Basic knowledge of the organic certification process

Salary Range: $49,000 - $83,000

The total pay range takes into account a wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skills; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed pay range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At NSF, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the pay range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

About Us

With a legacy spanning more than 80 years, NSF leverages science and innovation to improve human and planet health. We provide science-driven, independent testing, inspection, certification, and advisory services and develop the very standards that drive the food, water, and life sciences industries worldwide. We empower our clients to navigate shifting regulations to improve consumer health, safety, and quality of life.

One of our core values is We Are One NSF. This means that while we're one team, we embrace the cultural, ethnic, language, and demographic diversity that reflects the societies in which we live and work.

Come join a team that makes a difference in the world. More information about NSF can be found at nsf.org.

NSF is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or disability.

Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives: Please note that NSF is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies/search firms for this role. Resumes submitted to an NSF employee by a third-party agency without a valid written & signed search agreement between NSF and said third-party agency will become the sole property of NSF. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.

About the Team

From farm to fork, NSF is the go-to partner for the food, nutrition and wellness industries - ensuring the highest level of product safety, quality, integrity and sustainability. Across the globe, we continue to lead the way in certification, testing and compliance services, empowering our clients to deliver safer, higher-quality products to consumers while meeting the demands of an ever-changing regulatory environment.