Internal Audits for Distribution Centers

J

jsn80

#1
Outside of our manufacturing locations we have a couple of distribution centers (DC). In these locations there are only logistic employees. They are divided into inbound and outbound (with separate supervisors). Would there be a problem with having one group do the internal audits of the other? I would travel there to be the lead auditor, but we would like to avoid the travel cost to send additional people to these locations.
 
Elsmar Forum Sponsor
#2
Outside of our manufacturing locations we have a couple of distribution centers (DC). In these locations there are only logistic employees. They are divided into inbound and outbound (with separate supervisors). Would there be a problem with having one group do the internal audits of the other? I would travel there to be the lead auditor, but we would like to avoid the travel cost to send additional people to these locations.
No, as long as they are competent - they're not auditing their own work, are they? What gives you cause to question this?
 
J

jsn80

#3
No, as long as they are competent - they're not auditing their own work, are they? What gives you cause to question this?
I justed wanted a confirmation for myself. I will be setting up internal audit teams very soon and wanted to make sure this wouldn't be a problem.

Thank you.
 
M

markwebertampa

#4
I have worked with several DC's and we used a similar arrangement for internal auditors. There was no problem during the Registration Audit (now called Stage 2).

We also tried to use a cross-functional audit team whenever possible, which included people from both the warehouse and office (customer service, accounting, HR, etc). This helps get more people involved with your quality management system.

Just remember, that as long as they don't audit their own work you're ok.

Hope this helps.
 
#5
JSN 80:

I'd go so far as to say it's pretty much the best situation to use folks who are familiar with the processes of distribution, so they don't spend too much time learning the 'jargon' etc. Not to say that they overlook things because of familiarity, but they can 'cut to the chase' when auditors from 'outside' the distribution function, may take more time with just basic 'blocking and tackling'....
 

Ajit Basrur

Staff member
Admin
#6
Outside of our manufacturing locations we have a couple of distribution centers (DC). In these locations there are only logistic employees. They are divided into inbound and outbound (with separate supervisors). Would there be a problem with having one group do the internal audits of the other? I would travel there to be the lead auditor, but we would like to avoid the travel cost to send additional people to these locations.
I would prefer a seperate Internal audit team rather than one audits the another.
 
J

JaneB

#7
I would prefer a seperate Internal audit team rather than one audits the another.
Why? There can be real benefits in doing some 'cross auditing' - it often helps the other side get a better view of things for example.

Your idea does rather assume that cost is not an issue and there are plenty of internal audit resources to supply that 'separate team'. Which is often not the case except in large corporations.
 
J

JaneB

#8
I'd go so far as to say it's pretty much the best situation to use folks who are familiar with the processes of distribution, so they don't spend too much time learning the 'jargon' etc. Not to say that they overlook things because of familiarity, but they can 'cut to the chase' when auditors from 'outside' the distribution function, may take more time with just basic 'blocking and tackling'....
Couldn't agree more.
 
Thread starter Similar threads Forum Replies Date
lanley liao How to understand this words that the planning of internal audit shall take into consideration the results of previous audits? Oil and Gas Industry Standards and Regulations 10
M ISO13485:2016, MDSAP and Internal Audits ISO 13485:2016 - Medical Device Quality Management Systems 8
S Would this be a second site for the purposes of internal and third party audits? General Auditing Discussions 4
J ISMS - Internal Audits Internal Auditing 3
L Documented Information in Internal Audits Process (9.2) ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 4
D CB and customer audits considered as internal audits? General Auditing Discussions 9
R IATF 16949 - Outsourcing of internal audits Internal Auditing 10
M Major vs. Minor for Internal Audits? Internal Auditing 10
C Internal Audits in a tiny Dx Company Internal Auditing 33
N Sampling Plan for Internal Audits - ISO 2859 or 3951 - Or Neither? Internal Auditing 6
O ISO13485 implementation - Are internal audits expected before stage 1 audit? Design and Development of Products and Processes 3
O Informational Scaling back internal audits due to corona virus while avoiding a NC Internal Auditing 7
G Internal Audits and Employee engagement Internal Auditing 16
S Internal audit discrepancy - We missed a few audits that were scheduled Internal Auditing 12
F ISO 17025 8.8 Internal Audits in a segmented company ISO 17025 related Discussions 5
qualprod Internal Audits - Categories of non conformances Internal Auditing 12
G Non Conformance During ISO 9001 Audit - Not All Internal Audits Completed General Auditing Discussions 19
K A way to monitor our Internal Audits as a KPI AS9100, IAQG, NADCAP and Aerospace related Standards and Requirements 7
blackholequasar Internal Auditing Inspiration - Getting volunteers to perform internal audits. Internal Auditing 22
A External Auditor issue with Internal Audits Internal Auditing 7
W Internal Auditing carried out by a 3rd party - Review of previous audits AS9100, IAQG, NADCAP and Aerospace related Standards and Requirements 3
E Informational Internal Audits - Wear multiple hats what can and can't I audit (so I'm not auditing my own work) Internal Auditing 149
Gman2 Quality Record Retention (Internal Audits, CA's) ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 9
T Informational What is the purpose of Internal Audits? Internal Auditing 27
F API Spec Q1 9th Edition Surveillance Audit - Questions about internal audits. Oil and Gas Industry Standards and Regulations 22
Pmarszal ISO 19011:2018 - Risk Based Approach for planning, conducting and reporting of internal audits Internal Auditing 8
R ISO 13485:2016 Registration - NC on full cycle of internal audits ISO 13485:2016 - Medical Device Quality Management Systems 7
J Internal Audit clarification - How to perform the audits IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 6
S Corrective Action from Internal Audits not performed ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 24
W FAA Advisory Circular (AC) Requirements (FAA AC 00-56) - Internal Audits AS9100, IAQG, NADCAP and Aerospace related Standards and Requirements 4
B Going into IATF 16949 transition without Internal Audits IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 4
S Internal Audits performed by another local business ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 26
K No Internal Audits For Upcoming IATF Trans Audit IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 5
J Supporting Processes - Internal Audits - Need help settling a debate IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 4
K AS9100 Rev. D Transition - Internal Audits & Gap Analysis Requirements AS9100, IAQG, NADCAP and Aerospace related Standards and Requirements 14
J Internal Audits - Closing Audit Deficiency Reports (ISO 13485) Internal Auditing 4
S Is Audit Plan / Agenda required for Internal Audits? Internal Auditing 2
J ISO 9001:2008 - Can I still conduct Internal Audits in my company? ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 7
F What is your favorite software for ISO 9001:2015 Internal Audits? ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 3
C ISO 9001:2008 Surveillance Audit - No Internal Audits Internal Auditing 9
J Dinged on Internal Audits for supervising an auditor I was training Internal Auditing 10
Marc ISO 9001:2015 vs. 2008 - Internal Audits - What changes are you making? Internal Auditing 44
M Are auditing checklists required for Internal Audits? ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 13
dubrizo Internal Audit Value - What is the point of conducting internal audits to a checklist Internal Auditing 40
D Using consultants for Internal Audits Internal Auditing 24
O New Job 1 Month from Recertification Audit - Missing Documents, no Internal Audits ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 25
R How do I conduct my API Q1, ISO compliant internal audits? Internal Auditing 1
F Is it good to outsource the Internal Audits? Quality Manager and Management Related Issues 16
S Advice for ISO17025 First Round of Internal Audits ISO 17025 related Discussions 10
S Engineering Audits - Internal Audits IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 7

Similar threads

Top Bottom