Rising Importance of Testing, Inspection, and Certification Jobs

The demand for jobs in Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) is increasing, and due to the vital work the industry does, it is easy to see why. The purpose of the industry is to ensure good practices and products that meet regulations, protect people, and reduce environmental impacts.  

Testing, inspection, and certification organisations cater to a wide range of industries across the global economy. These industries include food, eCommerce, maritime, oil and gas, education, life sciences, and leisure. Due to its importance, it requires highly-skilled senior-level talent to continue to drive it forward. As an expert TIC recruitment agency, this is where we can help. 

The Global Impact of Testing, Inspection, and Certification

The testing, inspection, and certification industry is a vast worldwide industry which is vital to ensuring the safety of people and the environment. Did you know that in 2021 its global market value exceeded $300 billion? It is expected to grow by a further $100 billion by 2030. The TIC industry is also a major global employer, with one million people employed in 160 countries.

Its regional markets are divided into four areas: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa (LAMEA). The Asia-Pacific holds the largest market share and is expected to grow by a further 5% by 2030. We explore the global presence of TIC in our recent blog, The Testing, Inspection, and Certification Global Workforce, be sure to give it a read. 

A vast number of organisations within worldwide markets trust TIC firms to carry out services and offer solutions that ensure the safety of their products, the confidence of the consumers, and reducing the impact of their organisation on the environment. Here are some key examples of markets that use the services of TIC companies and the challenges they are facing:

Power and Utilities 

 With the current energy crisis causing worldwide concern, the power industry faces the daunting challenge of meeting global supply needs. It is predicted that by 2030, electricity use will have doubled globally, and in developing countries, it will have tripled. Therefore, the need for reliable, safe, and sustainable energy has never been more critical. TIC firms deliver dedicated solutions, from solar projects to onshore and offshore wind installations to electric vehicle charging stations and power grids. 

Cybersecurity

 Cybersecurity is essential for companies, public service organisations, and governments. As we advance into the digital age and technology advances, cyber threats will continue to increase. TIC companies can offer independent protection to an organisation's systems, assets, and supply chain with testing, inspection, and certification. This extra protection will provide stakeholders and consumers confidence that the systems are safe and secure. 

Consumer Products 

 Manufacturers or distributors need to optimise costs and lessen production time without reducing the quality of assets. TIC services can cover the complete chain of consumer products, from planning and manufacturing to shipping and selling. Solutions are set up to allow a company to control its products' safety and compliance and ensure they meet the necessary regulations. 

Finance 

One of the significant challenges facing financial organisations is being fully compliant with statutory legal requirements and risk management guidelines. Following the financial crash in 2008 and the increased regulatory pressure, there have been crucial changes in the industry's risk management process. TIC firms will help an organisation to build an effective risk management framework which matches legal requirements and achieves necessary cost control efficiencies. 

Crucial TIC Industry Jobs

Due to the rising need for TIC firms in virtually all industries across the economy, the demand for specialist and senior-level positions is increasing. Here we will explore a selection of senior-level roles vital to the industry's present and future. 

1. Senior Test Engineer 

 A senior test engineer provides engineering and technical support in identifying, assessing, evaluating, and testing existing and emerging technologies, systems, and capabilities. As a leader, they will manage projects from the proposal stage right through to delivering the final test report. In addition, they will regularly communicate with the client regarding projects, reporting any issues or updates. 

Senior Test Engineers must have deep technical experience before entering the role. They are expected to be specialists in generating reports based on test and review data, driving day-to-day activities related to all aspects of product qualification, and utilising and creating quality and testing procedures. They also should have a proven track record of leading teams of technical specialists. 

Vital personal skills for a senior test engineer are:

• A motivational team player.
• A proactive approach to changes and self-development.
• Being open to new experiences and cutting-edge technology.

Many roles also offer remote working and the opportunity to travel.

2. Sales Manager 

 The purpose of a sales manager within the TIC industry is to deliver an end-to-end sales cycle focused on generating new business and developing relationships with existing companies in a particular sector. 

Key areas of responsibility include: 

• Develop and utilise an agreed business and marketing plan that meets personal and business roles for expanding the customer base. 
• With the support of the technical and marketing teams, managers create a tailored sales approach for each client. 
• Pitch and make recommendations to potential and existing clients on solutions and services that their organisation can offer to solve their business issues. 
• Develop and maintain a CRM database of qualified leads generated through referrals, contact with business owners, marketing emails, and networking. 
• Contribute and participate in the educational and training programs offered to clients to help them understand services and solutions. 

Due to the nature of the job, sales managers will be expected to possess high levels of customer service, technical selling, and product knowledge skills. They would also need extensive technical sales experience in the TIC industry (the level of experience will depend on the organisation) and typically possess a bachelor's degree in a subject such as marketing, business, or a related field.  

3. Sustainability Expert

Due to the increased pressure on organisations to reduce their carbon footprint and impact on the environment, the role of a sustainability expert is crucial. They play a vital role in seeking methods of increasing sustainability at all levels of the business, building a positive public brand image, and encouraging sustainable thinking and working practices among the workforce. 

Their key responsibilities include: 

• Ensuring a client's sustainability projects and solutions are delivered on time. 
• Working with various internal technical and operational teams to create a strategy for the process of the execution of a project.
• Utilising and improving relevant tools used to evaluate a client's sustainability efforts and review the suitability of their sustainable targets and practices. 
• Utilise and seek continuous improvement and maintenance of reports that are in keeping with the relevant reporting standards, which determine the integrity of traceability and calculations of emissions of sustainability projects. 

Sustainability experts would typically be required to hold a bachelor's or advanced degree in either Engineering, Environment Science, or Material Science. Having extensive experience in project management and consulting on sustainability and environmental issues is also advantageous. Having exceptional speaking and listening skills is also key as they communicate and regularly report to stakeholders on sustainability issues and actions. In addition, they must keep up with changes and updates in environmental and sustainability-related regulations and laws. 

4. Senior Product Safety Engineer 

 Senior product safety engineers are responsible for applying engineering and product safety technicals and principles to optimise the safety and impact of a product on the consumer and the environment. Examples of their primary duties are: 

• Undertaking product safety activities that align with relevant project and organisational processes, and any specific consumer requirements. 
• Enable the implementation of relevant product safety processes. 
• Undertaking the reviewing, qualification, and approval activities relative to deliverable and delivered goods. 
• Leading the design team to identify and assess risk mitigation measures that ensure an acceptable risk level is achieved. 
• Continuously seek to improve product safety methods and processes. 

Furthermore, senior product safety engineers should be able to demonstrate a track record of delivering safety processes in large or complex projects. They should be highly knowledgeable of product safety, environmental legislation, and regulation. They also should be experienced in risk management. 

5. Project Manager

Project managers are responsible for establishing and maintaining customer relationships while coordinating internal resources and third parties effectively for the seamless execution of certification projects. They are also responsible for proactively communicating with their clients throughout the project to meet their needs and expectations. 

Furthermore, the project manager measures the project's performance and reports to senior management when needed. Project managers must also ensure that projects are delivered on time and within budget. 

Personal attributes that are required of a project manager include strong customer-facing and internal communication skills and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with ever-evolving technologies, regulations, and standards. They should also possess exceptional organisational skills, including attention to detail and multi-tasking skills. 

Project managers would be expected to hold a deep technical understanding of their chosen sector. They would also be expected to have previous experience successfully leading TIC projects within relevant industries. 

6. Senior Health and Safety Consultant 

A senior health and safety consultant's role is to lead the placement and maintenance of the health and safety management system. They work closely with clients to identify and create improvement plans for their organisation's health and safety measures. They are responsible for managing the delivery of health and safety consulting team outputs and ensuring they are within agreed timescales and quality standards. They also contribute to generating repeat business and developing new business opportunities. 

Ideal candidates should possess excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. They should be able to work independently but also have strong leadership skills. In addition, they should hold deep experience and knowledge of the relevant health and safety and environmental regulations. Strong leadership, training, and coaching are also essential for the role. 

Looking for a TIC Recruitment Expert? 

As consumer demand grows, technology develops, and supply lines get more complicated, the need for rules, regulations, and legislation has increased. This increase has meant the demand for services of TIC companies has also risen. As a result, companies, governments, and public service organisations are looking to third parties to help ensure services, projects, and products meet safety standards and reduce their impact on the environment. 

This increased need for TIC firms has meant the industry must grow, adapt, and develop continuously. Due to this, the industry needs high-skilled senior-level talent to drive this growth and deal with the ever-changing regulations, rules, and environmental needs. 

CSG Talent is an expert TIC recruitment agency whose specialists will use their experience to identify and attract the best candidates worldwide. We work with various organisations, from small, family-owned businesses to major global companies, to ensure they can attract the highest-quality talent. We specialise in executive management level positions and have extensive experience in placing commercial and sales positions within the industry. 

If you want to discover more about senior-level roles within the TIC industry, please visit our testing, inspection, and certification page or contact one of our TIC recruitment specialists.