Project Manager – Regional Operations

Who are LRQA?

LRQA stands for dedication to clients, market firsts, and deep expertise in risk management. We’ve grown to become a leading global assurance provider, bringing together outstanding expertise in certification, customised assurance, cybersecurity, inspection and training.

While we’re proud of our heritage, it’s who we are today that really matters, because that’s what shapes who we and our clients can become tomorrow. By staying true to our shared values and combining decades of collective experience, we support our clients in building a safer and more sustainable future.

What do we do?

We help our clients negotiate a rapidly changing world, by working with them to manage and mitigate the risks they face. We serve a wide variety of industries, with a core focus on Food & Beverage, Consumer Goods, Transportation & Mobility, Technology & Telco, Construction & Manufacturing, Energy and Renewables and Chemical & Processing.

Our products and services range from independent third-party auditing to certification and training; we also offer consultancy services, real- time assurance technology and data-driven supply chain transformation programs. our innovative end-to- end solutions help our clients shape their own future, rather than letting it shape them.

LRQA currently operates across 51 countries, has more than 2,500 colleagues, generates around £350m in revenue, and supports more than 60,000 clients across a diverse range of sectors and markets.

The next chapter for LRQA

As the preferred assurance partner for our clients, we are relentless in helping them respond to the era of Assurance 4.0.

Our decades of sector expertise in assuring assets and management systems, ensuring product integrity, responsible sourcing, navigating the energy transition and achieving net zero, and strengthening cybersecurity maturity will help them to anticipate, mitigate and manage risk wherever they operate, freeing them to focus on growth.

With solid expertise and heritage in our sector, coupled with well-timed accelerated investment and a leadership team that is fully committed to delivering our vision, LRQA’s next chapter is set to be an exciting, transformational period of growth. We’re well placed to build on everything we’ve done and further our ambitions for the future. At such an exciting time key talent is critical, and this role is a great opportunity to be part of our next chapter.

Role purpose:

LRQA is seeking a dedicated Project Manager with expertise in business and human rights to oversee the regional operations of a worker helpline. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing all aspects of the helpline’s operations and customer relationship, ensuring efficient and effective delivery of services in the region. The Project Manager will work closely with a team of operators, coordinators, and support staff to ensure the helpline meets the needs of customers and adhered to organizational goals and standards.

This role will be client-facing and require direct engagement with clients’ Sustainability/ESG, Social Compliance, Procurement, and other teams. You will work with private-sector clients, many of which are major global companies, and other stakeholders, such as workers, civil society, and government authorities, spanning a variety of sectors, including consumer goods, retail, food/agriculture, finance, and manufacturing. You will be part of the Asia-Pacific Advisory team and will work with, and learn from, LRQA experts from teams across the globe.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement operational strategies to ensure the smooth functioning of LRQA worker helplines;

• Coordinate with regional teams to ensure consistent and high-quality service delivery;

• Monitor and evaluate the helpline performance metrics to identify areas for improvement;

• Manage budgets and resource effectively to optimize operational efficiency;

• Collaborate with external stakeholders, such as implementing partners and helpline operators to address and escalate worker grievances in a timely and effective manner, and in adherence with protocols;

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (e.g. data manager and analysts, case managers, and program lead) to generate customer reports and support escalation and remediation of high-risk issues;

• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and organizational policies, and stay up to date with emerging regional/local human and labour rights standards;

• Provide leadership and guidance to the regional case managers and helpline operators to foster a positive and productive work environment;

• Use LRQA platforms and processes (Wrike, Salesforce, COP and Revenue Recognition, etc.) accurately and in a timely manner;

• Support product and service research and development as directed.

Key health & safety responsibilities:

Eliminate or minimise employee exposure to risks by regularly reviewing the health and safety risk register, applying appropriate controls, communicating results of risk assessments, and ensuring health and safety is considered in the planning and execution of all LRQA activities.

Manage your own, and your team’s, compliance with health and safety rules, instructions, systems and legal requirements to ensure employees are suitably trained and adequate resources are available to work safely.

Technical / Professional Qualifications / Requirements:

2-5 years of relevant professional experience

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Project Management, or related field

Experience with and understanding of labor or human rights issues in supply chains required

Proven experience in project management, preferably in a social services or helpline setting, certification in project management (e.g. PMP) is desirable

Experience with issues related to forced labor and modern slavery, safe migration, responsible recruitment practices, and grievance mechanisms is a plus

Knowledge of worker rights and labour laws is a plus

Fluent in written and spoken English; fluency in APAC regional language preferred

Relevant experience in food & ag supply chains (e.g.: palm oil, cocoa, coffee) and garment industry is a plus

Strong written and spoken communication and presentation skills

Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills

Skilled with Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other professional software fundamentals

Keywords

Project ManagerRegional OperationsBusiness AdministrationProject ManagementLabor RightsHuman RightsSupply ChainsSocial ServicesHelplineForced LaborModern SlaveryMigrationRecruitment PracticesGrievance MechanismsWorker RightsLabour LawsFood Supply ChainsGarment IndustryCommunicationPresentationCollaborationMicrosoft 365