Auditor training for FSVP certified employees to audit Suppliers
Because of the on-site expense (travel out side the USA) and employee time, I would like to have some of my PCQI/FSVP individuals trained in auditing techniques. As a smaller company, everyone wears many hats and the FSVP is wearing our small group of external auditors out. Along with sending others with our current team, I would like to give them a course on auditing.
1. They have the education/training for what they are auditing.
2. They need training in auditing itself. Asking open ended questions, techniques for handling disagreements / de-escalation, Audit check-list and report writing examples, etc.
I can find lead auditor training for FSSC, BRC and leaning towards that, but is there any other training available?
Depends on the level of depth you want to put into the training. If its a one day auditing techniques training or more formal course study and certification
- ASQ offers Certified HACCP or Quality Auditor and ISO 9001 Lead Auditor (formal course study and proctor exam)
https://www.asq.org/cert/haccp-auditor
https://www.asq.org/...OTlObGhXFMcr4Ss
https://asq.org/trai...JKY1a1KDoZZ3F5
- ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Training - General one day
The IFSQN basic internal auditor course is quite good. You may be looking for more than that.
I have taken the BRCGS Lead Auditor class. It is good and adds credibility. You do spend a great deal of the time learning how to evaluate brcgs clauses - most of the 5 days.
Like all the other "required" food safety courses / certifications, there is no substitue for for experieince. Its going to take some mentoring.
Why not just find a auditor(s) in country? Does your FSVP program require that you audit as opposed to 3rd party?
Thank you for your suggestions.
No, we are not required to audit on a routine basis for our FSVP, but we are working on at least 1 on-site audit for our current major ingredient manufacturers to ensure compliance. The ingredient suppliers we are auditing manufacture using complicated, exact, heavily science/knowledge based products. We have found that great documentation and adherence to GFSI standards does not always equate to a quality product. The product may be "safe" but that is not the only quality factor in purchasing. We do not intend to audit all suppliers. Our people know the science/lab/manufacturing processes since we also manufacture some of our own ingredients, but Audit training is needed.