A supplier qualification audit is an evaluation conducted by your customer (or a third party like Vertic Arabia) to assess your capabilities, systems, and compliance before formal onboarding or contract signing. It helps buyers confirm that you can:
- Meet product and delivery requirements
- Comply with safety, legal, and ethical standards
- Operate under quality-controlled processes
- Manage risks effectively
🧭 How to Prepare – Step-by-Step
✅ 1. Understand the Audit Scope
The first step is to know exactly what your customer expects. Ask for the audit criteria or checklist in advance. Typical focus areas include:
- Quality Management System (e.g., ISO 9001)
- Production capabilities
- Supplier control
- Risk management
- Social compliance (e.g., child labor, wages, work conditions)
- Regulatory certifications and legal compliance
👉 Tip: Clarify if the audit is based on a standard (e.g., ISO, BRC, SA8000) or internal client policies.
✅ 2. Review & Organize Documentation
Prepare and organize the following documents:
- Business registration and legal licenses
- Quality manuals and SOPs
- Production capacity and workflow details
- Records of past orders, deliveries, and complaints
- Certificates (ISO, HACCP, Halal, etc.)
- Health & safety procedures
- Training records
- Supplier evaluation logs
- Internal audit reports and corrective actions
👉 Tip: Ensure all documents are up-to-date, signed, and accessible.
✅ 3. Conduct a Pre-Audit (Internal Assessment)
Before the actual audit, perform a mock audit internally—or hire Vertic Arabia to do a pre-audit. This helps:
- Identify gaps early
- Train your team on answering auditor questions
- Avoid surprises on the day of the audit
👉 Tip: Walk through the facility the same way an auditor would—look at your operations objectively.
✅ 4. Train Your Staff
Auditors may interact with your team, especially those in quality, production, and HR.
Train them to:
- Understand their roles
- Answer clearly and honestly
- Know where documents are stored
- Demonstrate standard procedures (e.g., hygiene, inspections, packaging)
👉 Tip: Use a checklist or rehearsal session to boost confidence.
✅ 5. Prepare Your Facility
A clean, organized, and safe facility shows your commitment to quality. Ensure:
- Proper signage and labels
- PPE is available and in use
- Fire extinguishers, exits, and emergency plans are visible
- No broken or outdated machinery
- Workstations are neat and functional
👉 Tip: Fix any visible non-conformities before audit day.
✅ 6. Assign a Point of Contact
Designate a trained team member to coordinate with the auditor. This person should:
- Guide the auditor
- Answer questions
- Provide requested documents
- Record findings during the audit
🛡 Post-Audit Tip
If the audit reveals non-conformities, don’t panic. What matters most is your response. Quickly:
- Analyze the root cause
- Implement corrective action
- Share follow-up evidence if required
💼 How Vertic Arabia Can Help
At Vertic Arabia, we assist suppliers with:
- Pre-audit assessments
- Document preparation
- Internal audits
- Corrective action support
- Full supplier qualification audit services for your clients
Whether you’re a local factory or an international exporter, we ensure you’re audit-ready and confident.
