13 replies to this topic

[Belmont]

Hi all...

I've been keeping quiet for about a month just reading and learning as much as I can. I really am VERY new to all of this. 

I am going from receptionist to office assistant to ??? doing it all in less than a year. 

We have a QA manager and someone acting as SQF practitioner/plant manager but I am supposed to be sticking my nose into both roles for just in case purposes. And "just in case" happens to be next week.

 

It is an audit for something for someone and I am told that I just need to babysit as our plant manager will be out of the state. Bring the person coffee etc. And maybe get documents from QA that he/she may need to see. 

I hope it really is just that. As much as I have learned here on the forum and working with our SQF practitioner I feel as though if the auditor were to ask me any technical question I will just run away screaming. 

 

Wish me luck and any advice is truly appreciated. I may not comment or offer advice but that is because I don't know anything just yet.

 

Thanks

 

Oh and if I wanted to can I change my "Name" I joined on the advice of our SQF practitioner and didn't put much thought into it. 

I also tried to upload a photo and I get "Member_Profile_Disabled" SMH

[Belmont]

Hi all...

I've been keeping quiet for about a month just reading and learning as much as I can. I really am VERY new to all of this. 

I am going from receptionist to office assistant to ??? doing it all in less than a year. 

We have a QA manager and someone acting as SQF practitioner/plant manager but I am supposed to be sticking my nose into both roles for just in case purposes. And "just in case" happens to be next week.

 

It is an audit for something for someone and I am told that I just need to babysit as our plant manager will be out of the state. Bring the person coffee etc. And maybe get documents from QA that he/she may need to see. 

I hope it really is just that. As much as I have learned here on the forum and working with our SQF practitioner I feel as though if the auditor were to ask me any technical question I will just run away screaming. 

 

Wish me luck and any advice is truly appreciated. I may not comment or offer advice but that is because I don't know anything just yet.

 

Thanks

 

Oh and if I wanted to can I change my "Name" I joined on the advice of our SQF practitioner and didn't put much thought into it. 

I also tried to upload a photo and I get "Member_Profile_Disabled" SMH

[Snookie]

 

 

I don't think you can make changes or send and get IM's until you made at least 10 posts. 

 

Good luck next week. 

[Scampi]

I wouldn't feel comfortable being put in that position at all. The auditor can and will ask technical questions you need to be prepared to answer, and QA documents probably won't be the only thing they want to see. Do you at least know where everything could be??? There are alot of documents to a plan and each one has its own detail.

 

Are you saying your SQF practitioner won't be there for an audit?

[it_rains_inside]

Welcome and Good luck!!   (At least here you are in good hands!)

 

  

[Belmont]

Yes he will be out of the state. This is not an SQF audit though. It is an audit by a potential client for a fast food restaurant chain. I have been given no other information other than just babysit and get him what he asks you for. 

Paperwork, Validation test and Process flow I believe are the things being looked at/done. And I am to work with QA to make sure they get what is needed.

[fgjuadi]

You'll be okay. 

Your SQF Practitioner / QA Manager have enough confidence in their system, and in you, to leave you be with it.  That's a great vote of confidence.

 

If you don't know, just tell them you'll check, and go ask a QA tech.  Treat them nice but don't bribe them and don't make them wait hours for documents. 

 

Don't let them wander around your plant unaccompanied though.

 

 

Chicago food = home of the most delicious hot dogs.

Edited by magenta_majors, 03 December 2014 - 10:09 PM.

[cazyncymru]

Your best friends will be the QA 's , engineers and the operators. Treat them well and they'll be there for you at each audit!!
Please don't be afraid to ask questions, we all started off once!

Welcome to the forums. We discuss all sorts here!!

Cazx


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[RG3]

 Belmont! Food in Chicago is amazing!!! Deep Dish Pizza!!!

 

It doesn't look like they're asking you to step up to the plate yet. It's more like you're the waterboy/girl? In this case I don't think the auditor will ask you anything. The structure (Org Chart) should be one of the first things presented so the auditor knows who to talk to. However, I think this is a good way to get exposure if you may be thinking of getting into the position of QA or SQF practitioner. You get to learn how an auditor is and what type of questions they ask for without really taking on the responsibility. Get your feet wet so to speak. If the auditor does ask a technical question, you can politely explain your situation or just say "That's a good question, let me find that answer for you" Then go ask one of the QA people like MM suggested or jump on here and ask us.

 

Good Luck!

[Miss Tammy]

It is much better to explain your situation and admit you don't know something than to try to guess and fake your way through.  Also, keep any answers as brief as possible.  With your limited experience, you could easily say something inadvertently that he may not need to know!  I too recently had an audit from a HUGE fast food chain.  The auditor was not part of the organization, but contracted to do the audit.  It was the easiest I ever had.  He looked at our HACCP manual, made a brief tour of the plant and was gone by noon without even having lunch!  Maybe you will get lucky and have the same guy.....

[Simon]

Thanks for saying hello Belmont and I wish you luck.

Once you reach 10 posts you will be auto promoted and then you can edit your profile and add a photo etc..

 

[MWidra]

Hi Belmont!  Welcome. 

 

As usual, Magenta, Cazx and RG3 have made some great posts full of wisdom.

 

I'll just add some encouragement and say that you will probably do fine.

 

This is a great place to learn, come back and hang out a lot.

 

Martha

Edited by MWidra, 05 December 2014 - 07:12 PM.

[MWidra]

That was weird, I thought I was editing and it just quoted.  Edited it above, please ignore this.  Don't know how to delete.

Edited by MWidra, 05 December 2014 - 07:14 PM.

[Snookie]

Let us know how it goes.