About this course
About this course
This three-day virtual programme qualifies auditors to assess conformity against the BRCGS Global Standard for Storage and Distribution Issue 4, the benchmark for warehousing, transport and contract logistics operations in the food supply chain.
Who should attend
The course is aimed at experienced technical staff preparing to take on second-party or third-party audit work, consultants supporting logistics suppliers through customer audits and certification, and senior quality managers with substantial prior audit experience. Some exposure to auditing against an equivalent BRCGS or ISO Standard is recommended. Brand-owner technical staff auditing third-party logistics providers as part of supplier approval programmes also find the content valuable, and delegates moving towards accredited certification body work typically take this as part of a broader qualification path.
What the programme covers
Day one revisits the Standard at clause level, with attention to the particular evidence challenges in storage and distribution environments. Day two covers the BRCGS audit scheme, planning, evidence sampling, interview technique, non-conformity writing and grading, and reporting. Day three runs practical audit exercises against simulated warehouse and transport scenarios with structured feedback on technique and findings. The programme addresses the specific audit challenges in storage and distribution, including temperature chain verification across multi-stop deliveries, sub-contractor assurance, pest control across large warehouse footprints, and the handling of multi-customer product streams with different technical specifications.
Assessment and certification
Assessment combines daily written work with a final examination and a practical audit exercise. A pass earns the official BRCGS Certificate of Achievement, widely recognised by certification bodies when registering auditors for the Storage and Distribution scheme.
Course format and delivery
The programme runs over three consecutive days in a live virtual format with a BRCGS Approved senior trainer. Sessions combine methodology teaching with structured audit exercises, peer feedback and case study discussion. Delegates complete pre-course reading and receive detailed audit technique guidance for reference after the programme.
Why this matters
Logistics audits require distinctive technique: temperature chain verification, site-of-load checks, sub-contractor assurance and pest control across sprawling warehouse footprints all sit outside the typical food manufacturing audit toolkit. Formal training reduces subjectivity and builds consistency across an audit team. It also reduces the risk of audit findings being overturned on appeal, which preserves the credibility of the audit programme with brand owners and retailers. The course is often taken after the Storage and Distribution Sites Training and alongside the Internal Auditor qualification. For consultants supporting broader brokerage and trading activity, the Agents and Brokers programme is often a useful addition.
Explore the full BRCGS training range for related programmes or see the complete course catalogue.
