Career Development Hub

Hi all,

I'm working toward becoming an SQF Auditor and would appreciate some advice from those with experience. Here's where I'm at:

• Bachelor's in Human Nutrition & Food Science

• HACCP certification

• Internal Auditor certification

• Registered with Exemplar Global

• Enrolled in Lead Auditor training (Nov 2025)

• Current role: Internal Auditor & Compliance Specialist in the retail food sector

• Experience in Quality Assurance, Food Compliance, Food safety in Red Meat manufacturing, Poultry processing, Apiarist & Honey Production and currently Retail Sushi (I have plenty of other industry experience but these are the main ones)

From what I understand, I still need specific SQF Auditing certificates, plus audit hours in the right food sectors.

My questions:

• What's the best way to build up audit hours and logbook experience?

• Any tips on the steps I should prioritise next?

• Anything you wish you knew starting out?

Thanks in advance for any guidance or wisdom.

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Conway Deacon
Food Safety | Food Compliance | HACCP | Human Nutrition & Food Science
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Hi Conway, thanks for this post.  I see you are purposefully working on fulfilling the SQF Auditor Requirements and planning ahead to ensure your experience and records are going to meet these, that would have been my tip.  I'm sure the community will have some great insights for you. Looking forward to seeing your application come through once you have it all together!

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Wendy Edwards
Director Product & Quality Assurance
Exemplar Global
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