Senior Auditor - Food

Americas Senior Auditor – Food Certification (SQF Focus)

Role Purpose:

Support the management, development and coordination of regional food safety auditors, with primary responsibility for Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification activities and supporting coverage of other Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)-recognized certification programs. Help ensure audits are properly resourced, consistently delivered, technically sound and completed in accordance with SQF Code requirements, applicable GFSI benchmarking expectations, accreditation requirements, internal procedures and food safety industry best practices.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Auditor Manager in coaching, qualifying, coordinating and monitoring food safety auditors delivering SQF and other GFSI-recognized program audits.

• Coordinate audit planning and execution in accordance with SQF Code, certification body, accreditation, internal procedure and client program requirements.

• Promote consistent technical interpretation of SQF requirements across applicable food-sector scopes.

• Assist with auditor qualification, scope approvals, witnessed audits, calibration, professional development and competency records.

• Support auditor assignment, capacity planning, utilization, subcontractor engagement, travel efficiency and coverage of seasonal or urgent audit demand.

• Review audit reports, nonconformity statements, corrective action evidence and certification recommendations. • Monitor the timely closure of audit findings and escalate overdue, incomplete or potentially ineffective corrective actions.

• Provide technical guidance on SQF audit expectations while maintaining certification impartiality and avoiding consultancy.

• Partner with scheduling, client services, sales, operations, technical reviewers and certification decision personnel.

• Track audit delivery, report turnaround, corrective action closure, auditor productivity, client feedback and other operational and quality indicators.

• Support SQF program oversight, accreditation assessments, witness audits, office assessments, internal audits and resulting corrective actions.

• Maintain awareness of GFSI-recognized programs, including BRCGS and FSSC 22000.

• Reinforce the evaluation of HACCP-based food safety systems, prerequisite programs, allergen controls, sanitation, traceability, food defense, food fraud mitigation, supplier controls and regulatory compliance. • Analyze audit findings, complaints, technical reviews, accreditation feedback and performance data to identify improvement and calibration needs.

• Deputize for the Auditor Manager when assigned and represent the food certification function in relevant discussions.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Microbiology, Agriculture, Quality Management or a related discipline; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in food manufacturing, food safety, quality assurance, certification or management systems auditing.

• Strong working knowledge of the SQF Code and requirements applicable to SQF certification audits.

• Current or recent qualification as an SQF auditor, SQF practitioner, food safety auditor or equivalent third-party certification professional is strongly preferred.

• Working knowledge of GFSI benchmarking principles and familiarity with programs such as BRCGS or FSSC 22000 is preferred.

• Knowledge of HACCP principles, prerequisite programs, sanitation, allergen management, traceability and recall, food defense, food fraud mitigation and supplier controls.

• Experience supporting or leading auditors, quality professionals, technical teams or certification operations in a multi-site or regional environment. • Experience in food manufacturing, primary production, packaging, storage and distribution, animal feed or food service is preferred.

• Ability to evaluate objective evidence, write clear nonconformities, assess corrective actions and support certification recommendations.

• Strong coaching, communication, conflict resolution, organization and stakeholder management skills.

• Excellent English communication skills; Spanish or Portuguese capability is preferred.

• Strong analytical, scheduling, project coordination and operational performance management capability.

• Willingness to travel regionally and internationally.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality, independence, objectivity and integrity in certification activities.

• Comfortable working in food-sector production environments requiring protective clothing, hygiene controls, temperature variation and compliance with site-specific food safety requirements.

Working Conditions and Travel:

• Hybrid or office-based role with regular travel across the Americas.

• Travel may include audits, witness activities, auditor calibration, client meetings, accreditation assessments and regional team events.

Who are LRQA?

LRQA is a leading global assurance partner, combining deep industry expertise with innovative solutions to help organizations manage risk, improve performance, and drive sustainable growth.

Operating in over 50 countries with a team of 2,500+ professionals, we support more than 60,000 clients worldwide through assurance, certification, cybersecurity, inspection, and training services. Our purpose is simple: to help businesses build a safer, more secure, and more sustainable future.

What We Offer:

Join a global team where your expertise is valued and your development is supported. We offer a collaborative work environment, opportunities for professional growth, flexible working arrangements where applicable, a competitive salary aligned with the market, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Pre-Employment Checks 

If you are successful in securing a role with us, we may carry out pre-employment checks, as permitted by local law, including verification of identity, right to work, employment history, education, and criminal records where applicable.

These checks are conducted by our trusted screening partner, Cfirst, in compliance with applicable data protection laws. Any personal data collected will be used solely for recruitment purposes, stored securely, and retained only as required.

For questions about the screening process, contact Onboarding@lrqa.com , For queries regarding your personal data, contact dataprotection@lrqa.com