Supplier Audits
Verify how supplier controls work in practice
Supplier documents provide an important starting point. QSP adds remote or onsite verification against an agreed scope and criteria, using direct evidence to establish what is working and what needs follow-up.
Start Assessment
Best fit
When Supplier Audits are useful
Supplier Audits are appropriate when your decision depends on how documented controls are implemented in practice.
This may be the case when you need to:
- evaluate a new or existing supplier against defined requirements;
- verify controls for a product, product group or specific process;
- investigate a complaint, deviation or known risk at supplier level;
- assess production, storage, loading, hygiene, traceability or other operational controls;
- follow up corrective actions from an earlier assessment or audit;
- obtain direct evidence before deciding on supplier conditions, monitoring or further action.
The assignment can be a general Supplier Audit, product-focused audit, issue-focused audit, process review or corrective-action follow-up, depending on the agreed purpose.
Agreed scope
What QSP can support
QSP focuses on four core areas. The agreed audit scope selects the areas and criteria relevant to the assignment.
1. System verification
Review of how the supplier’s quality and food-safety systems are implemented and maintained. This can include the connection between documented procedures, responsibilities, records and actual practice within the agreed scope.
2. Process control
Verification of production, storage, traceability, hygiene and other operational controls relevant to the agreed product, process, site or issue.
3. Product and customer requirements
Assessment of how relevant product-specific, legal, contractual and customer requirements are translated into supplier controls and evidence.
4. Corrective action
Clear findings and practical priorities, with attention to immediate correction, root cause and systemic corrective action. CAPA review or follow-up verification is included only where agreed in the audit scope.
Audit method
Remote or onsite
Remote Supplier Audit
A remote Supplier Audit combines document review with interviews and live evidence made available during the audit. Its effectiveness depends on suitable access to people, records, systems and any agreed live view of operations.
Onsite Supplier Audit
An onsite Supplier Audit adds direct observation of the production site, working practices, physical conditions and relevant operational evidence. Sampling, traceability activity or specific site areas are included only where selected in the agreed scope.
The appropriate method depends on the audit objective, supplier, site, product or process, risk, available access and intended use of the report.
The process
How QSP works
- 01
Start Assessment
Provide the audit objective, supplier and site details, relevant product or process, intended criteria, known concerns, preferred remote or onsite method, required timing and available access.
A high-level review of the information supplied helps QSP determine the appropriate audit route and prepare a focused proposal.
- 02
Agree the audit scope and proposal
QSP defines the audit objective, criteria, method, site or processes, evidence and access requirements, expected output, timing, limitations and any agreed follow-up in one audit scope and proposal. The audit starts only after this has been accepted.
- 03
Conduct the audit
QSP gathers and evaluates the evidence selected for the assignment. Depending on the agreed method, this may include documents, records, interviews, live evidence, observation, sampling or a traceability exercise.
- 04
Receive the report and agreed follow-up
QSP issues the audit report with evidence-based findings, verified positive controls, practical priorities and recommended next steps. CAPA review or follow-up verification is carried out only when included in the accepted scope or agreed afterwards.
Agreed output
What the client receives
The main output is a QSP Supplier Audit Report. Depending on the accepted audit scope, it can include:
- an executive summary of the objective, result, material findings and limitations;
- the agreed audit scope, criteria and method;
- an evidence register linking findings to documents, records, interviews, observations or other sources;
- classified findings, such as critical, major, minor, observation or opportunity for improvement;
- verified positive controls and capabilities;
- practical action priorities and a recommended monitoring or follow-up level;
- a corrective-action plan or CAPA review where agreed;
- supporting audit-plan, photo, sample or scope-specific checklist information where relevant.
QSP separates objective evidence, findings, interpretation and recommendations so the report can support a clear supplier decision.
On request
Pricing and proposal
QSP provides a proposal after the audit objective and practical requirements are clear. The scope and price can be affected by:
- general, product-focused, issue-focused, process-review or CAPA-follow-up purpose;
- remote or onsite method;
- supplier and site location;
- products, processes, departments, criteria and time period included;
- audit duration, access, language and scheduling requirements;
- evidence methods, reporting depth and agreed follow-up;
- travel and onsite arrangements where applicable.
No standard fee, travel allowance or universal turnaround is stated on the website. These are confirmed in the proposal.
Choosing the right route
Relationship to other QSP products
Supplier Check, Supplier Assessment and Supplier Review
These products review documentary evidence supplied for one defined supplier and site relationship. They can identify missing, expired, inconsistent or insufficient evidence, but they do not verify how controls are applied in practice.
Supplier Audits
Supplier Audits add direct verification through interviews, live records, observation or other agreed audit evidence. Reviewing an existing audit report is documentary review; conducting or following up the audit is Supplier Audit work.
If you are unsure whether the case requires documentary review or an audit, use Start Assessment and indicate that the scope is uncertain. QSP will route the case to the narrowest suitable existing product or service.
Practical questions
Frequently asked questions
Should the audit be remote or onsite?
A remote audit can be suitable when the objective can be addressed through documents, interviews and reliable live evidence. An onsite audit is more appropriate when physical conditions, working practices or site processes must be observed directly. QSP confirms the suitable method in the proposal.
Which criteria will QSP use?
The criteria are agreed before acceptance and may include applicable legal, contractual, product, customer or internal requirements. Findings are reported only against the accepted audit basis and available evidence.
What access is required?
This depends on the audit. It may include relevant documents and records, supplier personnel, systems, production or storage areas, live evidence and traceability information. The proposal states the required access and any known limitations.
Is corrective-action follow-up included?
Only when it is stated in the accepted scope. The initial report can identify required action and priorities, but CAPA review, remote verification or onsite follow-up is not automatically included.
How are travel and timing handled?
Site location, travel, access and scheduling are considered in the proposal. QSP confirms timing and any applicable travel arrangements before the assignment is accepted.
Ready to define the scope?
Request an audit scope based on the decision you need to make
Send the supplier and site details, audit objective, preferred method, intended criteria, known concerns and practical access information. QSP will determine the appropriate scope and provide a proposal.