Organic Standards Auditor

Job Description

As an Organic Standards Auditor, you will conduct on-site audits of organic operators across the United States, supporting certification activities in accordance with applicable organic standards and internal procedures.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct on-site audits and inspections of organic operators, including farms, livestock operations, processors, handlers, and other relevant scopes.
• Plan and prepare audits, including prior review of documentation, risk assessment, sampling definition, and preparation of standard-specific checklists.
• Conduct interviews, facility and field inspections, document reviews, and evidence collection.
• Verify traceability systems, mass balance records, input approvals, production records, and organic integrity controls.
• Assess risks related to contamination, commingling, fraud, prohibited substances, and other risks to organic integrity.
• Prepare clear, complete, accurate, and timely audit reports, including documentation of nonconformities and corrective action deadlines.
• Review corrective action evidence and support the certification decision-making process in accordance with internal procedures.
• Maintain up-to-date technical knowledge of regulatory changes, organic standards, and internal certification policies.
• Act with professionalism, ethics, impartiality, confidentiality, and a strong commitment to quality.
• Travel frequently within the assigned region and, when required, to other areas of the United States.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience as an Organic Auditor, Inspector, or Certification Specialist, preferably under the USDA National Organic Program (USDA NOP).
• Knowledge of additional organic standards or programs, such as EU Organic Regulation, Brazil Organic Regulation, Demeter, or Fair Trade, is a plus.
• Practical experience conducting audits involving traceability, mass balance, input verification, record review, and risk assessment.
• Experience identifying and evaluating risks related to contamination, commingling, labeling, fraud prevention, and organic integrity.
• Ability to independently conduct audits and write high-quality technical reports in English.
• Experience with one or more certification scopes, including:
  • Crop production
  • Livestock production
  • Wild crop harvesting
  • Processing and handling
  • Storage, distribution, and trading activities
• Strong organizational, communication, and time-management skills.
• Availability and willingness to travel extensively for field audits.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel domestically within the United States.

Additional Information

• Technical degree, bachelor’s degree, or higher education in Agronomy, Agriculture, Animal Science, Veterinary Medicine, Food Science, Biology, Environmental Science, Sustainability, or a related field; equivalent proven experience in the organic sector or certification/audit activities will also be considered.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• This is a remote position; however, candidates must be based in one of the following hiring regions: East Coast, Midwest, or West Coast.

Company Description

QIMA offers solutions for the food industry from farm to fork through GFSI-recognized certifications (PrimusGFS, GLOBALG.A.P., SQF, BRCGS, IFS), third- and second-party food safety audits, ethical audits, quality seals, inspections, training, and supply chain management. We have offices in Brazil, the United States, and Mexico, and a team of auditors in several countries. Since 2019, we have been part of the QIMA Group.