Senior Technical Officer

Toy Industries of Europe (TIE) is looking for a Senior Technical Officer (start mid-May 2025)

We are looking for an experienced technical expert, who is forward-thinking, has strong communication skills and enjoys working in a technical/political environment.  A member-based organisation, Toy Industries of Europe informs and prepares toy manufacturers about toy-related regulations and requirements.  We also aim to build strong, proactive positions in Brussels that communicate our members’ views in a clear and understandable way to our stakeholders.

To do this, we need someone with excellent technical knowledge who can support our policy team and contribute to TIE’s external lobbying strategy on issues related to toy safety and the environment.  This role requires knowledge of the toy industry, as well as a solid understanding of relevant legislation and standards.

With the new Toy Safety Regulation set to be adopted in 2025, TIE will play a key role in educating members and raising awareness about the new requirements.  We will also share industry feedback with EU institutions during the implementation phase.

The Senior Technical Officer will have to:

  • work closely with TIE’s members in order to be able to understand how the industry will be affected by regulatory proposals, enabling TIE to determine both short-term responses to proposals and long-term proactive strategies;
  • develop a technically impeccable, proactive industry position to support TIE’s role as a trusted partner for EU decision makers
  • be a one-stop shop for all questions related to manufacturers’ obligations under the toy safety legislation and related standards and guidance documents or any other requirements through REACH, CLP, GPSR etc…;
  • understand what tools companies may need to meet the regulatory requirements;
  • digest, analyse and compare studies and critiques related to toy safety from a chemical or technical angle, and translate them into easily understandable messages for a lay audience;
  • represent TIE in the Toy Safety Expert Group and Chemical Working Group of the European Commission, as well as in toy-related meetings at CEN, Toy Notified Bodies or specialist industry meetings;
  • build and cultivate strong relationships with key EU, CEN and CENELEC personnel who work on relevant technical dossiers;
  • build strong working relationships with TIE members and their staff working on technical dossiers (Corporate Product Integrity teams);
  • establish working relationships with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that advocate for consumer safety and environmental interests.

In terms of organisational responsibilities, he/she will:

  • report to the Director-General;
  • work closely with the Director of Policy to ensure technical feedback and ‘ammunition’ is available for TIE’s lobby work. This includes assisting the Chairs of the relevant committees and working groups in the organisation and running the Product Safety and Environment Committee;
  • work with the TIE Communications Manager to develop external communications messages;
  • work with the entire team to ensure TIE’s strategy on safety and environmental issues is executed properly;
  • manage relationships with suppliers where these concern provision of technical advice such as laboratory research services.

In terms of education and experience, we are looking for somebody with:

  • a Chemistry/Engineering Degree or qualification in the chemical/engineering field
  • 5+ years of experience working for the toy industry/a toy laboratory in a technical role;
  • fluent English (essential);
  • experience in or with the toy industry in the area of quality;
  • (experience in standardisation)

He/she will need to have the following knowledge, skills and attitude:

  • the ability to bring across complex, technical or scientific information to a lay audience;
  • the ability to communicate effectively with a large number of stakeholders from different functions and countries;
  • attention to detail;
  • first rate analytical skills;
  • a hands-on and can-do attitude; plenty of drive and enthusiasm;
  • the ability to determine a position based on the common denominator within a group;
  • knowledge of the EU standardisation process is desirable

In return we offer an interesting, challenging and international work environment. Compensation will depend on relevant formation and experience.

Please send your letter of application, along with your CV to catherine.vanreeth@toyindustries.eu before 30 November 2024