Becoming a Lead Auditor - Advice Needed

[swali]

Hi

Firstly, it is great to see so many fellow practitioners from the industry. I just need some advice, I am currently a Quality Manager for a Europeon Organisation managing various ISO 9001 accreditations and also working and developing independent initiatives. I have an opportunity to move into a Lead Auditor position with a world leading auditing body, the BSI. Although this move seems positive, I have a slight fear of loosing touch in the area of developing new initiatives. Some have demotivated me by saying that all a lead auditor does is to parrot off on the standards booklet. I have positive outlook for the role ( thus i applied ) but i just wanted get some advice from the experts here if firstly am I making a correct move secondly what in your view are the advantages/disadvantages between a Quality Manager and a Lead Auditor.

Thanks

[Randy]

You have an opportunity to become a BSI Lead Auditor? What a coincidence..

The keeping track of new intitiatives is something that takes individual effort and is highly supported by the organization you're speaking about.

A lead auditor doesn't just "parrot" off the standards book, he/she has to have understanding of relationships between quality, safety, environmental, financial, social accountabilty and the other things out there that impact organizations.

On great advantage/disadvantage requires answering this question....Do you like to travel?

[Wes Bucey]

Tell us, Randy. How many nights per year do you spend away from home in a calendar year on BSI business? My guess, based on number of your posts after 10 pm, would be close to 200 nights.

No matter how nice the lodgings, that many would begin to wear on me. I remember feeling used and abused with one week out of four away from home (fewer than 100 nights.)

[Randy]

I already have over 150 days on the road this year...4 months left!

I have 18 days scheduled to be on the road in September.