Food Warehouse ISO 9001 Audit and Newbie Introduction

[Andy501]

Hello Everyone,

I have just joined the Cove and having read through some of the posts I can see this site providing invaluable support.

Although I have plenty of experience in terms of my current job title I have no formal ISO Auditor certification I am the QHSE Manager for a NATO site in Afghanistan providing life support to the operation.

I have been involved in various audits over time, including BRC, TFMS and M&S as well as ISO 9001 but I've never had the responsibility as the QA Manager so I'm learning every day.

We had an audit of our warehouse facility yesterday by our client, this included ISO 9001 QMS, (even though we are not ISO accredited, although contractually we said we would work to the standards)! Anyway in all previous audits we have had a closing meeting with the auditors and company management representatives on the final day of the audit. This obviously provides a chance for the auditee to present any evidence that could not be found during the audit, for whatever reason, and to discuss/ challenge the Noncon's raised prior to a hard copy report being received. Well our audit finished at 4.00pm yesterday and we still haven't had the closing meeting, I'm a little pee'd of to say the least as I feel this just gives the auditor time to dig and research in order to substantiate any Noncons.

Anyway that's my little introductory rant, I will let you know how the audit went and will undoubtedly be seeking some guidance and advice for my NCR's should I need it.

I'm now going for a lay down!

Andy501

 

[qusys]

Re: Warehouse ISO 9001 Audit and Newbie Introduction

Hi Andy, welcome on this forum.

Agree with you that Cove is an useful tool for quality issue and experience sharing!

As to your post, it seems very strange that your customer did not hold the closing meeting with the communication of the final results of the audit. It should have been be agreed in the audit plan , when the auditor usually confirm the plan or change it in agreement with the auditee, in addition to also confirm the audit criteria.

Pls, give some updates as well as detail of your business.

 

[Andy501]

Re: Warehouse ISO 9001 Audit and Newbie Introduction

Hi Qusys,

Thanks for the reply. I agree with you reference the closing meeting, in the end we had it a whole 24hrs later, unacceptable for me, but we are in a unique situation. Regarding our services, we provide food services to ISAF/NATO personnel within our area of responsibility, providing approx 28000 meals per day so we have very large dining facilities and storage units which are audited by our client every 6 months.

It's frustrating as the audits, in my opinion are a little haphazard in their approach. I have experience of BRC, TFMS/PIU and M&S Audits so I have seen the good and bad. Anyway I know we had 6 Noncoms (nonconformances), I will share them once we get the final report, I'm not shy!

Regards
Andy

 

[somashekar]

Re: Warehouse ISO 9001 Audit and Newbie Introduction

Hi Andy.

You stand to advantage.

If the noncoms do not justify to you and no evidences cited in the report, you can escalate it back with your counter statements and supported by lack of discussion and common understanding about the noncoms in a closing meeting that was not had.