Jobs in Derby, United Kingdom

Location: Remote within Europe with regular international travel

We are SGS – the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 99,600 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

At SGS, we have an open corporate and international culture. We offer a dynamic work environment in a leading global company. Our high professional standards and our sustainability approach guarantee you a future-oriented work environment. We invest in our employees for the long term and are committed to supporting your development within the company. Our business principles include: Integrity, Health, Safety & Environment, Quality & Professionalism, Respect, Sustainability, and Leadership.

At SGS, we are committed to delivering operational excellence and innovation across our global network. We are now seeking a Director, Data & Workflow Automation to lead our digital transformation agenda through the application of automation, data intelligence, and AI technologies.

This is a strategic global leadership role, responsible for identifying, developing, and scaling automation initiatives that optimize workflows, enhance performance, and drive productivity across our laboratory and commercial operations worldwide.

• 1. Lead Data Automation and Innovation

  • Identify and evaluate opportunities for process and data automation across global workflows, including the integration of AI-driven solutions.

  • Lead cross-functional teams to assess, develop, and implement efficiency initiatives with measurable business impact.

  • Conduct analyses of existing processes to pinpoint opportunities for improvement and innovation.

  • Map and redesign workflows to optimize performance, cost-effectiveness, and customer satisfaction.

  • Stay ahead of industry trends and emerging technologies to guide automation strategy and ensure SGS remains at the forefront of digital innovation.

• 2. Drive Global Adoption and Best Practices

  • Lead the rollout and adoption of new automation tools and process improvements across global operations.

  • Build business cases for innovation, demonstrating tangible benefits in performance, efficiency, and scalability.

  • Collaborate with senior leadership to embed automation and data-driven thinking into operational strategies.

  • Partner with operational, compliance, and technical teams to ensure regulatory alignment while maximizing automation opportunities.

• 3. Build Capability and Track Performance

  • Champion a culture of continuous improvement and digital enablement.

  • Coach and mentor teams to adopt new technologies and ways of working.

  • Facilitate workshops and training programs that support automation and data analytics capability.

  • Define and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the impact of automation and process optimization initiatives.

  • Conduct ongoing performance reviews and root cause analyses to refine and sustain improvements.

• 4. Reporting and Leadership Engagement

  • Develop and maintain documentation and dashboards tracking the progress of automation initiatives.

  • Prepare and deliver regular reports and presentations to senior leadership on efficiency gains, ROI, and performance outcomes.

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Data Science, Business, or related field.

• 10+ years of experience in process optimization, digital transformation, or automation leadership roles within a global organization, especially in a laboratory environment.

• Proven expertise in leveraging data analytics, automation, and AI tools to improve operational performance.

• Strong strategic and analytical skills, with the ability to influence at executive level.

• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and project leadership capabilities

• Join a globally recognized and stable company, a leader in the Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) industry.

• Enjoy a flexible schedule and work model.

• Access SGS University and Campus for continuous learning options.

• Thrive in a multinational environment, collaborating with colleagues from multiple continents.

• Benefit from our comprehensive benefits platform.

Join Us: At SGS, we are dedicated to fostering an open, friendly, and supportive culture that thrives on teamwork. We value diversity and provide endless opportunities to learn, grow your expertise, and fulfill your potential.