Looking for career growth in the Sustainable Agricultural Sector - Apply Now!

Open to Melbourne and Brisbane based applicants!

Are you a driven, knowledgeable professional with deep roots in sustainable agriculture and hands-on auditing experience? If you're ready to take the lead in ensuring integrity across agricultural certification systems while guiding and performing audits across Australia and New Zealand, this is your opportunity to make a real impact.

About the Company

Control Union has been helping to build a better world for several decades. From our roots in agriculture, the global business has since grown to become a global trustworthy partner for testing, inspection, and certification (TIC), providing a comprehensive range of quality services to clients in more than 80 countries. Our in-depth knowledge and experience cover all aspects of the supply chain, across a wide range of industries.

Control Union operates under the globally recognised Royal Peterson Control Union group. Today, Peterson and Control Union is still family-owned, with trust as its biggest value. We take pride in our stakeholder focus, work with integrity, and are purpose driven, offering long-term sustainable and innovative solutions across global value chains.

About the Role

The Technical Agri Lead - Senior Auditor & Certifier holds responsibility for managing the certification process, ensuring adherence to technical standards, quality benchmarks, and key performance indicators across all relevant Agri Schemes. This role includes overseeing the work of independent auditors, making final determinations on certification and technical matters when required, and maintaining oversight of the overall workflow. As the ultimate authority on technical queries, escalations, and decisions requiring override, this position plays a critical role in upholding the integrity and consistency of the certification process.

This is a hands-on position that also involves conducting audits—including shadow and joint audits—as well as auditing new standards. The postholder also provides critical support to Management, Business Development and Sales teams.

Key Responsibilities

The position involves responsibilities over six key areas:

Certification Process

Oversee and ensure the integrity of the certification process, including document implementation and decision-making.

Coordinate client onboarding, including offer management, file handling, invoicing, and scheduling assessments.

Monitor assessments, manage non-conformities, and maintain accurate documentation.

Review and issue assessment reports and certificates, ensuring timely updates to client records.

Manage post-certification activities such as follow-up assessments, payment tracking, and certification status decisions.

Technical Leadership

Supervise auditor performance, conduct joint/shadow audits, and ensure auditor qualifications.

Identify training needs, mentor team members, and ensure audit readiness.

Ensure audits are planned and executed per SOPs and KPIs, with regular performance monitoring and reporting.

Maintain strong internal and external networks to support growth and development.

Work with management to allocate resources effectively and align budgets with operational needs. Collaborate on strategic initiatives.

Assist with recruitment and onboarding in line with company standards.

Oversee data collection and analysis; prepare performance and compliance reports for leadership.

Approve invoices and credit card transactions, ensuring compliance and resolving discrepancies. Support timely and accurate invoicing through coordination and monitoring of payment cycles.

Operations

Audit Planning & Coordination: Develop and schedule audit plans in collaboration with the agriculture team, ensuring all documentation and resources are prepared and communicated effectively.

Audit Execution & Oversight: Supervise audits to ensure compliance with standards, review processes for improvement, and provide training on best practices.

Reporting & Communication: Manage the preparation and submission of audit reports, ensuring accuracy and timely communication of findings and recommendations.

Performance Monitoring: Track audit performance against KPIs, report on non-conformities and corrective actions, and present insights to management.

Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement enhancements in audit planning, execution, and reporting to boost efficiency and effectiveness.

Project Management: Lead operational and service-related projects, ensuring alignment with company goals, timely delivery, and integration of improvements across systems and workflows.

Quality Management

Maintain compliance with accreditation requirements, manage relationships with accreditation bodies, and ensure implementation of activities outlined in the Quality Manual.

Continuously optimize the quality system in line with ISO 17065, ISO 17021, and ISO 17020 standards.

Develop and implement quality assurance initiatives to uphold industry standards and certification requirements.

Customer Service & Business Development

Serve as the primary account manager for key clients, ensuring strong and lasting relationships.

Establish and consistently meet agreed-upon service level agreements (SLAs).

Identify opportunities for efficiency, sustainability, and cost reduction.

Auditor

In accordance with ISO 19011 guidelines, relevant accreditation standards (such as ISO/IEC 17065, ISO/IEC 17021-1, and ISO/IEC 17020), and applicable GHG verification protocols (e.g., ISO 14064 and the GHG Protocol), the Senior Auditor and Certifier is responsible for the planning, preparation, execution, and reporting of assessments and audits. This role requires delivering clear, timely reports on conformity with all applicable requirements and scheme-specific protocols.

Auditing duties involve:

Carry out research and preparation to plan assigned work scopes which may span producers, processors, and traders to conceptualise ideas for safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly food and meat production.

Inspect and perform tests and audits on farms to ensure they comply with local, state, and federal agricultural safety standards and regulations as well as other sustainability / certification standards.

Conduct audits against a range of accredited (ISCC, RWS, RegenAgri, USDA NOP, CUMCS, GMP / G,GAP) and client bespoke standards.

Prepare audit reports within target timeframe and provide regular updates as required

Conducting assessment follow-up

Assistance with handling of claims and appeals;

Maintaining up to date files of all quality policies, procedures, working instructions and documentation issued by CUIN;

Keeping abreast of developments, issues and legislative changes pertaining to the sectors in which assessments are carried out.

Extensive travel across Australia and New Zealand (20-30% of the time).

About You - Experience, Skills and Requirement and ANZ Work Rights

The successful candidate will be professionally curious, take pride in their work, have strong attention to detail and be positive. We rely on our staff to be reliable, hardworking, and able to adapt to a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Passion for (regenerative) agriculture, animal husbandry, carbon accounting, and sustainability is a must!

Graduate/ post-graduate degree in related field e.g. Agricultural Engineering, Sustainability, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Orientated Process, Renewable Energies, or equivalent disciplines.

Completed the ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Course. Additional relevant auditor certifications such as ISO 17065 Lead Auditor or equivalent certification auditing standards highly desirable.

Extensive practical experience (typically 5+ years) in agricultural, horticultural, or forestry production environments, including hands-on knowledge of animal welfare and sustainable farming practices.

Proven experience leading and managing certification audits, including planning, executing, reporting, and supervising audit teams.

At least 3-5 years’ experience as an auditor with increasing responsibility, including conducting complex audits, resolving non-conformities, and managing certification decisions.

Strong understanding of auditing principles and standards such as ISO 19011, ISO 14064 (GHG verification), and other relevant industry standards.

Experience coordinating and mentoring auditors, with the ability to provide constructive feedback and training to develop audit team capability.

Demonstrated ability to interpret complex technical and regulatory requirements and apply them consistently in decision-making.

Proficiency in quality management systems and accreditation processes, including knowledge of ISO 17065, ISO 17021, and ISO 17020 standards.

Experience or qualifications in carbon accounting and greenhouse gas (GHG) assessment and verification (e.g., ISO 14064 series) is highly advantageous.

A minimum of 1 year experience in animal handling / 40 hours sheep shearing.

Knowledge of the main farming practices used in Australia / New Zealand.

Knowledge of sustainable agroecosystems.

Experience in developing and implementing regenerative cropping and grazing management protocols.

A problem-solving approach and ability to think in holistic manner.

Strong communication and relationship management skills.

Able to demonstrate a high level of competence in Microsoft Packages, excellent MS Word, and Excel skills.

Willingness to travel domestically and overseas (New Zealand).

Holds a valid driving license.

Join Our Family - Why Control Union

By joining Control Union, you will play a vital role in advancing sustainable agricultural practices that protect the environment, support ethical farming, and promote social responsibility. Your work will directly contribute to improving supply chains, reducing environmental footprints, and fostering resilient communities, helping to build a better world for future generations.

Contribute to building a better world through quality assurance.

Work with a global company with a strong local presence - Well-established and growing professional agricultural and sustainability certification firm.

Permanent, full-time position.

Competitive salary.

Opportunity to take ownership of work scopes and develop your career in a growing business.

Be part of an energetic team in a business that is driven by sustainability, collaboration and making a difference in the world.

Inclusive and supportive workplace culture with an excellent benefits program to support ongoing professional development and your health and wellbeing (e.g. EAP and a Reward, Recognition, Wellbeing Platform).