How To become a GFSI Auditor?
Hello,
As a QA Manager with 7 years of experience in the food industry (2 years in QA manager, rest QA coordinator and tech) in Canada, I am interested in becoming a GFSI auditor in the long term. I have found conflicting information online and would like some guidance on where to begin. I am willing to start from the basics and obtain any necessary licenses.
simple answer is that you need education and or experience, lead auditor course, experience in some categories. and witness audits. Each standard has published their if you want the exact requirements.
I would suggest (let's take SQF as an example) looking up the requirements to become a registered SQF Auditor and then contacting some of the auditing companies to see what their requirements are.
Most are looking for broad range of food sectors, the more the better and also to get more assignments they are interested more in their auditors having multiple schemes.
Some companies may hire you as an employee but most take contractors. That part will be up to you. However those that employ may be willing to take on a beginner and provide the tools needed to learn as you work under the guidance of a mentor or one of the Auditors.
It may be worth it to look at which sectors are currently short on auditors as well to make yourself "desirable." I work in packaging and a number of our sites are BRC certified. There have been shortages in auditors able to do the BRC Packaging audits since day one. A friend who is an auditor for a CB has said it's a gap that needs filling and they just can't find the people. May be another option to get your foot in the door.