We just failed our initial facility audit by one point. I am very upset even though my boss has reassured me that things were beyond my control.
Everyone on this forum that has posted guidance and answered questions has been a huge help, and I wanted to thank those that contribute regularly like Charles and Simon. It would have been an even more miserable time without knowing the things I know now.
Our biggest problem is lack of support. This program is too big for one or two people to manage. We have virtually no support from other departments and this is why we failed. Although we are a small company, there are not enough resources to keep on top of SQF. I also am responsible for many other things that I cannot neglect or put aside. This has been an extremely frustrating two days and I only hope that this will shock the other managers into action to get our act together.
The disappointing fact is, many of the hits were things that I've asked time and time again for them to fix.
When I go back in Monday, I have a four foot stack of papers to go through. I think I'm going to cry, seriously. Has anyone else taken it this hard?!
Dear Destiny,
I stumble into your post and all I can tell you is to do not disappear. I had a COO of the company last year that practically "bite my head off" because he did not want to sign company policy statements and validate manuals because it was too many signatures. I had to respectfully stand up to him and even left the office to cool down for the day. Later, he personally apologized.This year he was promoted to CEO and he made a point to come after his business meetings and on his way to the airport and check with me if I needed his signatures to approve The Company statements and OrgCharts needed to validate Management Responsibility.
Remember this; it is not your job to make Company Policy. Senior Management and Management at all levels must create and have ownership of the Policies and Procedures of the Company. Your job is to make sure compliance is up to standard according to their procedures.
In this week’s Audit, the SQF Auditor validated my position once again by telling the QA Supervisor and the Plant Manager that it is the Department Managers responsibility to execute and verify their procedures so I can validate and assist them in compliance. This came about of some minors we had that I honestly think they could have been avoided if Senior Management and some Department Managers responded or assisted me after 1000 of requests through emails and calls. You are going to find out that unfortunately, QA Department and Human Resources will show more resistance than any other department (at least in my case it is at the moment).
I have learned throughout my career that in the US, there is a culture in some companies where Senior Management and Management at all levels are reluctant to be hold accountable for their responsibilities towards food safety and Food Industry Practices; but, guess what? In the event of a recall or a government inspection because of neglects or negligence, who is going to explain all these? or who may go to jail for their actions? The Leaders of the Company.
In order to change the Company’s culture, Leadership must embrace change first not YOU. All you can do is to show the way to get there.
Do not take it too hard! Learn to retreat and fight another day!
“Attitude reflects leadership”- this is one of the hardest statement you can tell somebody.
Edited by Kellio, 22 February 2013 - 06:36 PM.