This session helps food safety and quality professionals move beyond basic compliance by explaining when to use each audit type, how auditors evaluate them, and how organizations can turn audit findings into meaningful operational improvements.
Key Topics Covered
Why Approved Supplier Programs Matter
Approved Supplier Programs are evolving from industry best practices to essential components of food safety and regulatory compliance. With FSMA FSVP regulations holding importers accountable for the safety of foreign-sourced products, organizations cannot rely on fragmented or inconsistent supplier oversight. Poorly executed supplier programs increase risk, audit findings, and the potential for recalls, whereas a structured, risk-based approach drives efficiency, transparency, and accountability across the supply chain.
Beyond regulatory compliance, top food manufacturers and retailers are investing in robust supplier programs because these initiatives improve supplier performance, reduce non-conformances, and enhance brand reputation.
Understanding Process Audits
Process audits focus on a single, critical process and follow it end-to-end across departments. Brad explains how these audits provide a narrow but deep evaluation of how procedures are designed, executed, documented, and controlled.
Key areas covered include:
- Selecting audit anchors such as sanitation, allergen control, labeling, traceability, and temperature monitoring
- Using turtle diagrams to evaluate inputs, outputs, personnel, equipment, and controls
- Linking processes to relevant SQF Code elements
- Observing activities on the floor and comparing real practices to SOPs
- Reviewing records, verification, and validation activities to confirm effectiveness
Process audits are positioned as a powerful tool for identifying gaps between documented programs and actual execution.
Understanding Vertical Audits
Vertical audits take a product-focused approach, tracing a specific product or batch through every stage of production—from receiving and storage to processing, labeling, sanitation, and shipping.
Brad outlines how vertical audits:
- Verify end-to-end SQF compliance
- Strengthen traceability and recall readiness
- Reveal execution gaps across departments
- Test how well systems work together in real-world conditions
Additionally, Brad covers how to map product flow using HACCP diagrams, align each step with applicable SQF requirements, interview cross-functional personnel, and validate records through observation and documentation review.
Process Audits vs. Vertical Audits
The seminar provides a clear comparison between the two audit types, helping organizations understand when and why to use each. While process audits dive deeply into how a system operates, vertical audits assess how multiple systems intersect around a single product, making both essential components of a strong internal audit program.
Turning Audit Findings into Continuous Improvement
A core focus of the session is how to drive improvement from audit findings, not just document non-conformances. Brad shares proven strategies for:
- Prioritizing findings by risk and business impact
- Engaging process owners early in root cause analysis
- Setting effective corrective actions using SMART or STRAM goals
- Conducting follow-up verification and effectiveness checks
- Tracking and trending audit results to identify systemic issues
Motivating Teams and Strengthening Food Safety Culture
Recognizing that audits are ultimately about people, Brad introduces the DISC personality framework to tailor communication, reduce resistance, and motivate teams. By framing findings as opportunities and aligning improvements with business goals, organizations can build stronger engagement and long-term audit success.
Key Takeaways
By the end of this digital seminar, attendees gain actionable insights to:
Additional Information
For more information on vertical or process audits, please see these resources:
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