Auditor Competency David Brackston Technical Director BRC Global Standards

Agenda What makes a good auditor BRC Requirements for auditors Developments in auditor competency Auditors – the future.

Auditors Auditors are the public representatives for the Standard and for the certification body. Decisions effect – the commercial future of a site –the safety of the public –brand protection –confidence in a Standard or certification body

What makes a good auditor GFSI Working Group

Auditing skills Audit planning Questioning techniques Time keeping Collecting and recording information Sampling techniques Analysis of audit findings Audit report writing

Behaviour and system thinking Interpersonal behaviour –Interview technique –Managing conflict –Audit leadership Systems Thinking –Critical thinking / problem solving –Root cause analysis Ethics

Technical Knowledge Knowledge of The audit standard and its requirements Food safety The product sector and technology HACCP Legislation Quality Management Systems

BRC Requirements Degree or higher education in Food or a Bio Science Minimum 5 years Food industry experience Lead Assessor trained HACCP BRC Standards Training (3 days)

And then…… Minimum of 10 audits experience – (5 of which must be supervised BRC audits) Sign off audit with experienced senior auditor Auditor profile and category knowledge provided to the BRC for vetting and approval to audit.

And once qualified… Witnessed audits from senior auditor within the Certification Body All audit reports reviewed Maintain knowledge on legislation, product and technological developments Re-training and examination with each change of the Standard

BRC Next steps in developing auditor competence Sector specific auditor competence –Specific technical knowledge –Identification of tools to improve knowledge – Tools for assessing knowledge Development of programmes for continuos Professional Development (CPD)

GFSI – Focus Working group in place for 2 years reviewing auditor competence. Developed a core set of skills and knowledge Proposals being examined to formally assess auditor skills for qualification

The future for auditors? There remains a shortage of good highly qualified auditors We need a greater recognition for auditors –Recognised training path into auditing –Professional status –Financial rewards –Work life balance –Career progression

Questions?