Senior Project Manager

The Senior 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.

• 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, and Accounting to ensure timely, accurate progression through each stage of the certification process

• Maintain project schedules, dependencies, and risk and issue logs; escalate obstacles early and keep stakeholders informed

• Lead POD of QAI team members by assigning work, setting POD meetings and daily priorities, removing blockers, providing coaching, and reinforcing consistent practices across projects

• 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 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

• Share knowledge and provide day-to-day guidance to colleagues to support consistent practices and a collaborative team culture

#LI-TS1

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum 3-5 years of prior experience working in a project manager role
• Five or more years of client management, project management, or certification and compliance experience in a regulated or standards driven environment
• Experience in the testing, inspection, and certification sector
• Knowledge of the organic certification process
• 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
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications
• Ability to travel up to 10%

Salary Range: $60,000 - $102,000

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.

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 cli