Food Safety Auditor| Agriculture | Washington Area

As a Food Safety Auditor at QIMA, your primary responsibilities include conducting detailed food safety inspections and audits according to QIMA/WQS and scheme owner regulations. You'll develop inspection reports, summarize findings, and effectively communicate results with client representatives. Planning audits to meet deadlines is also a key part of your role, ensuring that all evaluations are thorough and compliant.

To qualify for the Food Safety Auditor position at QIMA, candidates should have at least a two-year education in agricultural or food-related fields and a minimum of three years of relevant experience in the agricultural sector. While not mandatory, certifications such as GLOBALG.A.P., HACCP training, and auditor courses like ISO 9001 or ISO 22000 are highly desirable.

In the Food Safety Auditor role at QIMA, you can expect to travel up to 80% of the time. This includes both automotive and air travel, and some trips may even be international. Weekend travel might be necessary to fulfill audit requirements, ensuring you're fully engaged in your mission.

QIMA provides its Food Safety Auditors with a comprehensive benefits package that includes a competitive salary range of $60k to $70k annually, quarterly bonuses, health, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, and a company 401k. Additionally, you'll enjoy paid holidays, time off, and opportunities for training that are company-funded.

At QIMA, the work culture is dynamic and encourages collaboration among approximately 5,000 team members, known as Qimers. The company's values focus on client passion, integrity, and simplicity, promoting an environment where you can thrive and contribute effectively to the mission of ensuring quality in the agricultural sector.

When asked about your experience with food safety audits, discuss specific examples from your previous roles. Detail the types of audits you have conducted, the standards you adhered to (like GLOBALG.A.P. or HACCP), and how you approached communicating findings to clients. Emphasize your attention to detail and any positive outcomes resulting from your audits.

To effectively answer this, highlight your methods for staying current with food safety regulations. You might mention participating in professional development workshops, subscribing to industry publications, or engaging with organizations focused on agricultural standards. Additionally, explain how this knowledge has positively impacted your previous work.

Discuss your time management strategies, such as creating detailed schedules for audits, prioritizing tasks based on urgency and importance, and setting realistic timelines. Mention any tools you use, like project management software, and provide examples of how effective time management led to successful audits in your past roles.

In addressing discrepancies, explain your approach to handling the situation professionally and effectively. Emphasize the importance of gathering evidence, discussing findings with relevant stakeholders, and providing constructive feedback. Highlight any past experiences where you successfully resolved discrepancies and improved compliance.

To answer why you want to work for QIMA, convey your admiration for the company’s commitment to sustainability and quality in the agricultural sector. Discuss how QIMA's values align with your personal principles, and express excitement about contributing to their mission and being part of a supportive team culture.

When discussing your HACCP experience, provide a clear overview of your familiarity with the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points system. Mention any specific roles where you implemented HACCP principles, and emphasize the results, such as improved food safety measures or successful compliance audits.

To tackle this question, share a story about a particularly challenging audit, detailing the complexities involved. Outline your systematic approach to identifying and resolving issues, and focus on the strategies you employed to maintain professionalism and ensure client satisfaction throughout the process.

In your response, highlight key qualities essential for a successful Food Safety Auditor, such as a keen eye for detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to remain objective. You can also mention adaptability to different environments and an understanding of agricultural practices, which can enhance audit effectiveness.

When addressing disagreements with clients, emphasize the importance of open communication and professionalism. Describe how you would present your findings backed by evidence while actively listening to the client's perspective. It’s crucial to remain calm and seek a resolution collaboratively that maintains the client's trust.

In your response, list any specific tools or software applications you've used in your auditing processes, such as data analysis software or compliance management systems. Discuss how these tools helped streamline your workflow and enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of your audit reports.