About this course
About this course
This five-day Lead Auditor programme is the recognised qualification route for professionals conducting third-party audits against the BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 9. The programme is delivered virtually by a BRCGS Approved Training Partner and mirrors the rigour of the equivalent classroom course, with continuous assessment of participation and technique throughout.
Who should attend
The course is designed for experienced auditors already working for a certification body, consultants preparing to deliver second-party audits for major customers, and senior technical managers with substantial prior audit experience who wish to formally qualify. A minimum of five years experience in food safety or quality auditing is strongly recommended before enrolment. Delegates without prior audit experience should complete the Sites Training and Auditor Training programmes before attempting this qualification.
What the programme covers
Each day combines clause-level teaching, practical audit exercises and daily assessment. Topics include every section of Issue 9, audit management under the BRCGS Scheme, compliance requirements for certification bodies, auditor competence frameworks, report writing to BRCGS standards, non-conformity grading and the grade-up and grade-down thresholds that underpin audit outcomes. Substantial classroom time is given to evidence sampling, auditor technique and the ethical obligations of a third-party assessor. The programme also covers the specific challenges of opening and closing meetings, handling challenging auditee behaviour, and managing the professional boundary between auditor and client across long-term certification relationships.
Assessment and certification
Assessment runs across all five days, combining written examinations, a practical audit assignment and continuous observation of participation. A pass earns the official BRCGS Lead Auditor Certificate of Achievement, which is the qualification most commonly recognised by certification bodies when registering new auditors to their scheme. The certificate is recognised internationally.
Course format and delivery
The programme runs over five consecutive days in a live virtual format with a BRCGS Approved senior trainer. Each day combines methodology teaching with practical audit exercises, structured peer feedback and case study discussion. Delegates complete pre-course reading and have access to the trainer throughout the programme for questions and technique coaching.
Why this matters
The BRCGS Lead Auditor qualification is one of the most portable credentials in the food technical profession. It opens routes into third-party audit work, consultancy and senior customer-facing technical roles, and is typically a prerequisite for registration with any accredited certification body. The qualification is also increasingly referenced by brand owners and retailers when appointing senior technical staff. Delegates often complete this after several years of site-level work and after completing the Food Safety Issue 9 Sites Training and Auditor Training courses. Additional credibility is often built through the BRCGS HACCP programme and the Internal Auditor qualification.
See all BRCGS courses and training, read what BRCGS is for background on the standard-setting body, or get in touch to discuss enrolment.
