Managing Director

Note: Must have experience in TIC services industry

Organizational Overview

Our client is a Nationally and Internationally Accredited Independent Third-Party Testing, Certification and Field Evaluation Body headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. In addition to its extensive presence throughout Canada, including an advanced testing laboratory in Toronto, it has several key locations in the USA, Europe, and Asia and possesses an extensive global network of partner laboratories. The company is a third-party service provider that enables customers to meet their national and international regulatory requirements in a timely and cost-effective manner. They offer Testing and Certification Services to US and Canadian standards and codes, as well as a variety of specialized services to European and International safety standards.

Our client also provides Field Evaluation/Special Inspection Services for products destined for the Canadian and US markets for customers located anywhere in the world, servicing customers in a wide range of fields, including industrial, medical, and electrical and electronics (E&E). The organization has enabled manufacturers worldwide to place and sell their products in over 50 countries using its own officially recognized certification mark. With expertise in a highly specialized business, coupled with a strong value proposition, high barriers to entry, and an excellent reputation for outstanding service and technical expertise, they are poised for continued expansion in the certification market.

The opportunity is with a successful wholly owned subsidiary of a large global testing, inspection, and certification company headquartered in Europe with tens of thousands of employees and operations in dozens of countries.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Reporting directly to the head of the North American businesses and to the Global Director of E&E. The Managing Director establishes the vision and oversees all sales and services, steering the organization through the next phases of business growth and operational excellence. The GM identifies market opportunities, removes roadblocks, guides a tenured and entrepreneurial team towards continued geographical growth and expansion, and capitalize on operational efficiencies, all while maintaining a strong focus on the company's core values and bottom-line financial results. The GM also reinforces the company's positive reputation in the industry through effective communication, strong collaboration, and unmatched customer service with clients.

• Develops and executes strategic business plans for growth, including the utilization of data and market analysis. Creates and executes new and winning business strategies and develops the appropriate budgets.
• Manages the day-to-day operations of the company, including allocating resources, evaluating productivity, and overseeing business and financial performance/profitability.
• Drives sales and manages operations in a harmonious manner to achieve optimum performance and results. Maintains and builds upon existing and new client relations.
• Thinks critically, analyzes situations, makes decisions, and provides solutions to important issues, including efficient conflict resolution both internally and externally. Address issues concerning business loss, targets not being fully achieved, and any other hurdles that arise.
• Implements systems, processes, and procedures where appropriate while safeguarding the entrepreneurial spirit that has made the organization so successful.
• Stays current with external factors impacting the TIC industry, electrical and electronic manufacturing, and government regulation and compliance. Always has the pulse on customer requirements and evolving needs.
• Motivates staff and communicates effectively at all levels, including a variety of stakeholders, internally and externally.
• Creates a positive work culture to maintain and attract high-performing employees and effectively coaches, trains, and develops managers. Performance manages manage underperforming people or departments.
• Collaborates with corporate peers to optimize collective resources and to leverage broader organizational strengths.
• Establishes a trusted working relationship within the organization and defines formal and informal protocols around reporting of information.

Required Qualifications:

The ideal candidate is a senior operational leader who is recognized for their general management, business development, communication, and interpersonal skills, employing a leadership style that fosters collaboration and a track record of outstanding business results. The individual will have a track record of proven strategic planning, business development, technical, financial and operations management experience, ideally within a TIC (testing, inspection, and certification) business. They will also be known and respected as an individual dedicated to outstanding customer service and continual innovation. Global business experience and market expansion, particularly in the United States, would all be assets in this role.

• Must have over 10 years' experience in senior managerial and leadership positions, preferably with a reputable product testing and certification (TIC) organization, focused on Electrical and Electronics sectors.
• Thorough knowledge of TIC industry fundamentals and processes including business drivers and government regulations.
• Exceptional interpersonal, analytical, problem solving, and time management skills, with expert attention to detail.
• A true strategist who is also talented at executing on the plan. Able to envision opportunities and determine priorities for the short, medium and long term.
• Deconstructs complex information, clearly communicating vision, strategy, and tactical plans to all levels of the organization.
• Possesses excellent organizational and administrative skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, competing objectives, and changing priorities.
• Strong problem-solving skills; able to find practical solutions to complex problems.
• Highly developed customer service orientation.
• Effective communication abilities; clear, concise, and direct. Excellent active listening skills.
• A true culture builder. Addresses non-performers, manages conflict, and aligns everyone to a common direction.
• An experienced facilitator who can lead groups through challenging discussions and build consensus around solutions.
• A strong ‘goal orientation' – driven by a desire to improve, grow, and exceed targets and expectations.
• Approachable, with the ability to attract top talent when required and put together a cohesive and high-performing team.
• Great attitude/enthusiasm, with the ability to motivate others.
• Has the ability to relate to and manage individuals at all levels. Believes in the importance of teamwork.
• Has a professional demeanor that generates respect in the industry and is effective in creating a positive image for the organization.
• Is an innovator who encourages new ideas and promotes continuous improvement.
• Inspires personal commitment and motivates others.
• Displays a high degree of professionalism, honesty, diplomacy, and business judgement.
• Unquestionable personal ethics, integrity, and responsibility.
• Resilient. Able to remain calm under pressure and respond quickly to new challenges.
• Genuine interest in the development and leadership of people.
• Confident, but without ego.
• Has fun and possesses a sense of humor.
• Business and technical experience with electrical safety certification, HazLoc, and field evaluation is preferred.
• An undergraduate or master's degree in engineering or business or a related discipline would be beneficial.