Department Manager – Social, Ethical and Environmental Sustainability

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Department Manager – Social, Ethical & Environmental Sustainability to lead and oversee our Social Compliance Department. This role is responsible for the management, coordination and continual improvement of social and environmental audit programmes, including SIZA Social, SIZA Environmental, WIETA and SMETA.

The successful candidate will ensure operational excellence, audit quality, compliance with scheme and accreditation requirements, sound financial management, effective team leadership, and exceptional client service across the department.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Manage and coordinate social compliance audit operations across multiple programmes.
• Schedule and plan audits while managing auditor capacity and availability.
• Source, qualify and onboard auditors as required.
• Ensure compliance with scheme rules, accreditation requirements and internal procedures.
• Communicate regulatory and scheme updates to auditors and stakeholders.

Audit Quality & Compliance

• Oversee auditor performance through witness audits, shadow audits, calibration sessions and performance evaluations.
• Review audit reports and Corrective Action Plans (CAPs).
• Ensure non-conformances are correctly identified, addressed and closed out.
• Maintain the integrity, quality and consistency of audit outcomes.

Financial Management

• Prepare and analyse monthly and year-to-date financial reports.
• Monitor actual performance against budget, including:
  • Sales
  • Gross profit and margins
  • Personnel expenses
  • General expenses
  • Net profit
• Identify and report on variances, risks and improvement opportunities.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong client relationships.
• Drive client retention and service excellence.
• Identify opportunities in the market for new clients, seek new business opportunities and expand client base
• Provide technical and operational support to clients, auditors and administrative teams.
• Liaise with the Finance Department regarding billing and outstanding payments.

Team Leadership

• Manage and develop direct reports and subcontracted auditors.
• Support team performance, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Promote effective communication across departments and stakeholders.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Human Resources, Agricultural Economics or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in social compliance auditing, agricultural certification, quality management or compliance-related environments.
• Management and financial reporting experience will be advantageous.
• Experience within an accredited certification, verification or assessment body is desirable.
• Exposure to social compliance and ethical audit programmes such as SIZA, WIETA and SMETA will be advantageous.

Training & On-the-Job Competencies

Formal Training:

• Social compliance or ethical audit (Lead Auditor) training.
• Interpersonal and people management training.
• SIZA, WIETA and/or SMETA training.
• APSCA qualification or registration (advantageous).

Competence demonstrated:

• Audit planning, scheduling and capacity management.
• Social compliance schemes and certification processes.
• Financial and management reporting.
• Auditor performance management and quality oversight.
• Stakeholder communication and relationship management.
• Coaching, mentoring and team leadership.

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of social compliance programmes and certification requirements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams and PowerPoint.
• Experience with Control Union systems (CUSI) is advantageous.
• Experience with SIZA, WIETA and SMETA online platforms is advantageous.
• Knowledge of SharePoint and document management systems.
• Strong analytical, reporting and data interpretation skills.

Personal Attributes

• High integrity and professionalism.
• Strong leadership and people-management capability.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Professional, diplomatic and decisive.
• Analytical and detail oriented.
• Self-motivated and accountable.

Why Join Us

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a specialised social compliance team within a globally recognised certification and inspection organisation. You will play a key role in driving audit excellence, client satisfaction, operational performance and sustainable business practices across South Africa and the broader Control Union network.

Interested candidates are invited to submit a comprehensive CV to Andre Myburg at amyburg@controlunion.com.

Closing Date: 31 July 2026.

Control Union South Africa is committed to equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.