Any advice for first SQF audit
Habe you had an outside consultant conduct a review?
I would review the previous NCs and make sure they have all been addressed. Were the NCs primarily related to policies and procedures or deficiencies in the plant itself? If you have your policies and procedures in tip top shape, that helps a lot. My goal is always to have no NCs related to documentation.
have all your documentations/ records accessible and easily retrievable. Organize your meeting area - first impression lasts.
If the auditor feels like you're all over the place, then it would give an impression that you don't know your program or not prepared at all (if this is announced audit).
Tell everyone to shut their mouth and only answer what is asked. No need to voluntarily give information to the auditor, if the auditor didn't asks for it, do not offer it.
If you can, share the non-conformances from the last audit (sensitive details omitted), and we can help you check for gaps.
have all your documentations/ records accessible and easily retrievable. Organize your meeting area - first impression lasts.
If the auditor feels like you're all over the place, then it would give an impression that you don't know your program or not prepared at all (if this is announced audit).
Tell everyone to shut their mouth and only answer what is asked. No need to voluntarily give information to the auditor, if the auditor didn't asks for it, do not offer it.
"Tell everyone to shut their mouth and only answer what is asked. No need to voluntarily give information to the auditor, if the auditor didn't asks for it, do not offer it."
That sums it up nicely!!!!
Also - if you don't have a direct answer for something, try using other resources you have available to answer the question. For example, don't try to answer questions about preventive maintenance if the maintenance department does this and can answer fully.
It doesn't look great if you try to answer something incorrectly or partially - but could have used your resources to get a better answer. Just say "let me call in our maintenance lead to discuss this with you".
Obviously if you have no other recourse, you do what you have to. Just be sure you explore the best options first.
BREATHE...be patient with yourself and your auditor
BREATHE...be patient with yourself and your auditor
THIS! It took every ounce of me not to roll my eyes in front of my auditor from the last audit. :rolleyes:
have all your documentations/ records accessible and easily retrievable. Organize your meeting area - first impression lasts.
If the auditor feels like you're all over the place, then it would give an impression that you don't know your program or not prepared at all (if this is announced audit).
Tell everyone to shut their mouth and only answer what is asked. No need to voluntarily give information to the auditor, if the auditor didn't asks for it, do not offer it.
Ha ha ! I love that last line of advice :thumbup:
Have copies of all your documents in 3-ring binders so you can give them to the auditor all at once. The auditor will get impatient if you have to go hunting for a copy of a document that he wants to review.
Make sure you have conducted internal audits of your food safety system.
Make sure you have at least three months of records.
Make sure your management review is up to date.
Tell people that if the auditor asks a question, they can ask for clarification on what the auditor wants to see. When they show the auditor something, they can ask if that is what the auditor wants to see. Don't let a misunderstanding of the auditor's question lead to a nonconformance.
Everyone needs to be available for the auditor to ask questions. Don't let management assume they can dump the auditor on you and expect you to handle the entire audit. The auditor wants to see that everyone is both committed to and involved in food safety.
Per Majoy, "Tell everyone to shut their mouth and only answer what is asked. No need to voluntarily give information to the auditor, if the auditor didn't asks for it, do not offer it." Providing unrequested information wastes the auditor's time.
Dont be nervous, listen to the question being asked, and answer as concise as possible. If you are not sure, ask what part of the code he is refering to, and have the code open as you go through the process. Make sure anyone you may have participate in the audit, is aware of these same things.
Do not be afraid to ask a question to be able to answer more accurately, and enable conversation to discuss how you are meeting the code, and understand you may have to agree to disagree at or about some points.
You both have a job to do and its important to remember that he is only doing his job as well.
Best of luck!!