28 replies to this topic

[The Food Scientist]

Good Morning!

 

SQF nerds,

 

So my company was using a cert body for their SQF audit last year. This year they want to change cert bodies. How will this affect our registration with SQFI? They informed us that if we withdraw from them, we wont be able to register for a year. Can someone advise? This is the email I received from the CB:

 

Please advise on the below email. If we do not receive a response by the end of the day Monday, we will move forward with the withdrawal process. Please be aware that as part of SQF’s policy, any withdrawn sites will not be able to reregister for a year, so it is crucial that if you have transferred this certification, please inform us of this so we can update our records and not withdraw your certificate through SQFI.

 

The issue is out of my reach. It's what top management want... :/ 

Edited by The Food Scientist, 06 May 2019 - 03:13 PM.

[SQFconsultant]

I am not so sure about the 1 year thing. I have had clients transfer to a different CB - the catch is however that the transfer be done after the yearly audit.  There is a transfer procedure that must be done.  

 

1. You contact the new CB and tell them you want to transfer from XXX -- and they handle the transfer.

 

2. You contact the "old" CB and tell them you are in process of transferring to another CB.

 

3. If you run into a problem becuase your "old" CB is a bunch of jerks - you contact SQFI directly by phone.

[The Food Scientist]

I am not so sure about the 1 year thing. I have had clients transfer to a different CB - the catch is however that the transfer be done after the yearly audit.  There is a transfer procedure that must be done.  

 

1. You contact the new CB and tell them you want to transfer from XXX -- and they handle the transfer.

 

2. You contact the "old" CB and tell them you are in process of transferring to another CB.

 

3. If you run into a problem becuase your "old" CB is a bunch of jerks - you contact SQFI directly by phone.

 

Actually our SQF audit is due VERY soon. Our window is open. But top management want to change. I think this is where the trouble falls. Like you mentioned: "transfer shall be done after the yearly audit"..

[SQFconsultant]

Actually our SQF audit is due VERY soon. Our window is open. But top management want to change. I think this is where the trouble falls. Like you mentioned: "transfer shall be done after the yearly audit"..

 

Tell your management unless they have extremely compelling reasons along with evidence for a change just prior to the audit - a transfer will not fly and a withdrawal/suspension will occur.

Edited by SQFconsultant, 06 May 2019 - 04:17 PM.

[The Food Scientist]

Tell your management unless they have extremely compelling reasons along with evidence for a change just prior to the audit - a transfer will not fly and a withdrawal/suspension will occur.

 

I already know the reason why (trying to play dumb until I find me another position)- like in my previous posts if you remember,  I mentioned they were given a score of 100 with a specific auditor they wanted. This auditor is no longer employed by the CB. Which is why they want to change. 

[Sweet'n'low]

I already know the reason why (trying to play dumb until I find me another position)- like in my previous posts if you remember,  I mentioned they were given a score of 100 with a specific auditor they wanted. This auditor is no longer employed by the CB. Which is why they want to change. 

So upper management either is afraid of putting in the work or afraid of failing? 

[The Food Scientist]

So upper management either is afraid of putting in the work or afraid of failing? 

 

Both !  People need to understand that SQF requires TIME. They don't want to take the time and implement it properly! 

[Sweet'n'low]

Both !  People need to understand that SQF requires TIME. They don't want to take the time and implement it properly! 

So they don't realize that a recall is far more expensive than the time and effort put into implementing SQF correctly? I have dealt with some hypocritical comments and actions where I work, but not to the extent of wanting to put in the time and effort. 

[Scampi]

and folks wonder why GFSI has not decreased the # of recalls..................................everything has a price tag, even integrity for some folks......................ASAIC, this should be illegal and the facility fined.  If they'll go this far, i can just imagine what actually occurs in the facility

[The Food Scientist]

for the time being I am just trying my best to implement SQF and regulatory compliance as much as I can. I have informed them its not a 2 month process. It needs at least 6 months. 

 

 

So they don't realize that a recall is far more expensive than the time and effort put into implementing SQF correctly? I have dealt with some hypocritical comments and actions where I work, but not to the extent of wanting to put in the time and effort. 

 

Its supposedly because they barely had any recalls in the past....

[SQFconsultant]

Your management people deserve to be suspended from SQF.

 

Once they figure out the loss of customer $$$ they might see that SQF is an investment that pays dividends.

 

What a shame on them.

[Scampi]

 

Its supposedly because they barely had any recalls in the past....

 barely had any??????????????????????

 

Wow, I don't mean to come down on you, but I'm gobsmacked at that statement. The whole idea behind a food safety plan (that's well written AND implemented) is to PREVENT recalls from happening at all    

 

Tell management zero is the target and you won't settle for anything less

 

 

PS------there are anonymous ways to report companies...................just sayin'  to the FDA AND SQF

[Sweet'n'low]

 barely had any??????????????????????

 

Wow, I don't mean to come down on you, but I'm gobsmacked at that statement. The whole idea behind a food safety plan (that's well written AND implemented) is to PREVENT recalls from happening at all    

 

Tell management zero is the target and you won't settle for anything less

 

 

PS------there are anonymous ways to report companies...................just sayin'  to the FDA AND SQF

Don't forget OSHA for workplace hazards. If they aren't taking food safety seriously, what are the chances that worker safety is on the top of their list? 

[majoy]

Shady management. You should start looking for a new job.

 

You wouldn't want to be associated to this company because it will ruin your reputation and eventually your advocacy to food safety and quality as a QA person.

[MsMars]

Unfortunately it sounds like your upper management knew in the backs of their minds that their score wasn't a true representation of their quality system, but (in part due to the careless and negligent actions of the previous auditor, who is not without fault), have allowed themselves to believe it is acceptable . IMO - they made this bed, so let them lay. Maybe being properly audited will bring the light and spark change. If after an audit by a new auditor they are not willing to put in the work on their quality system, then it may be best to move on. Quickly.

[The Food Scientist]

Shady management. You should start looking for a new job.

 

You wouldn't want to be associated to this company because it will ruin your reputation and eventually your advocacy to food safety and quality as a QA person.

Trust me I am looking for another position! Very soon! I really care about my career & future in Food Safety! 

[The Food Scientist]

Unfortunately it sounds like your upper management knew in the backs of their minds that their score wasn't a true representation of their quality system, but (in part due to the careless and negligent actions of the previous auditor, who is not without fault), have allowed themselves to believe it is acceptable . IMO - they made this bed, so let them lay. Maybe being properly audited will bring the light and spark change. If after an audit by a new auditor they are not willing to put in the work on their quality system, then it may be best to move on. Quickly.

 

Exactly. My job right now is to fix it, hopefully get them back on track in doing the right thing (while still looking for another position). 

[The Food Scientist]

 barely had any??????????????????????

 

Wow, I don't mean to come down on you, but I'm gobsmacked at that statement. The whole idea behind a food safety plan (that's well written AND implemented) is to PREVENT recalls from happening at all    

 

Tell management zero is the target and you won't settle for anything less

 

 

PS------there are anonymous ways to report companies...................just sayin'  to the FDA AND SQF

 

I do want to report to the CB first... hopefully keeping it anonymous. 

[The Food Scientist]

Question for people in management positions:

 

If I get interviewed. what would be a valid reason of my departure from this company? I do want to say the truth so bad but professionally, isnt acceptable.

[MsMars]

Question for people in management positions:

 

If I get interviewed. what would be a valid reason of my departure from this company? I do want to say the truth so bad but professionally, isnt acceptable.

 

Depends on your length of employment with the current employer.... something along the lines of "better opportunity", "career growth" are acceptable... if they inquire on a short tenure, then "differences in food safety culture implementation" is a nice way of putting it.

[The Food Scientist]

Depends on your length of employment with the current employer.... something along the lines of "better opportunity", "career growth" are acceptable... if they inquire on a short tenure, then "differences in food safety culture implementation" is a nice way of putting it.

 

 

I just completed 3 months only  

[Sweet'n'low]

Depends on your length of employment with the current employer.... something along the lines of "better opportunity", "career growth" are acceptable... if they inquire on a short tenure, then "differences in food safety culture implementation" is a nice way of putting it.

I agree with "differences in food safety culture implementation". 

 

You could tell them the truth. Just need to be professional about it. Something like, "My food safety environment was not being met to my standards." It shows that you put in the effort to make change, yet your high standard was not met. My experience in telling the truth has worked in my favor. It only built an immediate trust versus sugar coating it. 

[majoy]

If I'm in your situation, I will let them know the real reason but in a professional statement. If they won't take it well, its up to them.

 

When you interview for the next job, you can be honest as to why you left the previous job and let the new potential employer know how you are as a QA person so they will know if you are a good fit to them.

 

This is why when i interview in a company, i also try to see how the management deals with food safety. I don't want to work with a company who's just going to put my name on paper as QA.

[Sweet'n'low]

If you have fifteen minutes, I would suggest watching this Ted Talk. Very interesting way to look at how to proceed at working every day. 

 

[The Food Scientist]

If you have fifteen minutes, I would suggest watching this Ted Talk. Very interesting way to look at how to proceed at working every day. 

 

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