5 replies to this topic

[GMO]

I've probably missed loads of options so add comments!
 

The reason I ask this is I recently went into a site which was very used to audits and being audited but I felt like I was being misled at every turn.  It was horrible.  They were the most argumentative group as well and this is I think how they achieve the good audit results they've had, stage management and bullying.

 

But then when you think about it, why is that not the case?  What are people incentivised on?  Normally it's an audit result not how you got there.

 

Thoughts?

Edited by GMO, 01 May 2025 - 06:01 AM.

[Pemi]

Unfortunately, in  "my" company the management focuses solely on the results, and the process of achieving them isn’t given the attention it deserves. This approach can create a toxic environment where people are more concerned with "passing the audit" or getting the right results at any cost, rather than focusing on genuine improvements or sustainable practices. When results are the only thing that matter, it often leads to shortcuts, manipulations, and a lack of long-term accountability.I don’t like this approach at all, but I feel like my hands are tied because this mindset comes primarily from senior management.

[Bo16]

ALL audits are opportunities for improvement.  If not, get out of the food business before you hurt or even kill people.  SAFETY FIRST. 

 

Remember, you can and will go to jail as the CEO, CFO, Board Members, Quality Manager, Plant Manager, Operations Manager, Supervisor, Laboratory Manager/Staff, Production Technicians, everyone, is  Is it worth it?

[GMO]

ALL audits are opportunities for improvement.  If not, get out of the food business before you hurt or even kill people.  SAFETY FIRST. 

 

Remember, you can and will go to jail as the CEO, CFO, Board Members, Quality Manager, Plant Manager, Operations Manager, Supervisor, Laboratory Manager/Staff, Production Technicians, everyone, is  Is it worth it?

 

I think all of us know the law here.  Doesn't mean it's followed to the letter or intent.

[MlissaB]

I provide audit support for a number of sites that produce packaging for non-food contact applications. We have been working for a number of years to get to "audit ready all the time." This is a stretch because it really is a culture change for employees who look at our product and see a box and don't always see the full life cycle of that box. 

 

We have some sites that do a fantastic job and have great buy in from the top down, while others are still scrambling to prepare in the days/weeks leading up to the audit. I truly feel that it starts at the top both of the company and the specific location. Those sites that are doing well have their management teams and support teams on board while the others still see it as a couple of days out of the year. 

 

My personal belief is that a site has to have a really bad audit to drive the point home and get them to understand that the audit is a lot easier when it's a lifestyle and we are all better when we maintain the standard instead of letting things slip for 8 - 9 months then scramble to clean and document in preparation for the audit.

[TimG]

ALL audits are opportunities for improvement.  If not, get out of the food business before you hurt or even kill people.  SAFETY FIRST. 

 

Remember, you can and will go to jail as the CEO, CFO, Board Members, Quality Manager, Plant Manager, Operations Manager, Supervisor, Laboratory Manager/Staff, Production Technicians, everyone, is  Is it worth it?

A big part of the problem, especially in corporate food manufacturers, is that it's run by businessmen (or women) who just so happen to be in food. I recall explaining to the EC that findings from my audits could (and should) be majors/minors on an SQF audit so we needed to get them addressed prior to attempting to attain SQF certification.

The Global VP of ops insinuated that I should be explaining to the SQF auditors why they weren't NC's, even going so far as to say, "well that's why we hired you." You hired me to smooth talk our way out of audit findings? That's the mindset we're dealing with in a lot of corporate environments.