Freelance Auditor, Food Systems

Freelance Auditor, Responsible Food Systems

SCS Global Services is a global leader in third‑party certification, verification, auditing and standards development across food, agriculture, forestry, climate and sustainability programmes. SCS Global Services Europe supports accredited and regulatory programmes across the EU and surrounding regions, serving multinational supply chains and complex assurance needs.

SCS Global Services Europe is building a flexible, multi‑qualified contract auditor pool to support Responsible Food Systems (RFS) programmes across Europe. Contract auditors conduct third‑party audits and verifications in accordance with international and scheme‑specific requirements, supporting food safety, responsible sourcing, social compliance and sustainable seafood programmes. Auditors may be contracted for one or multiple schemes, depending on qualifications, language capability and regional coverage.

• Conduct third‑party audits in accordance with applicable programme standards, accreditation rules and SCS procedures.
• Prepare clear, timely and accurate audit reports and supporting documentation.
• Review corrective actions and verify closure where applicable.
• Communicate professionally with clients, SCS programme staff and technical reviewers.
• Maintain auditor qualifications, CPD and required certifications.
• Comply with SCS quality, impartiality, confidentiality and ethics requirements.
• Travel within assigned European and surrounding regions as required.

• Food Safety
  • BRCGS Food Safety qualification.
  • Experience auditing food manufacturing, processing or storage operations.
• Sustainable Seafood & Aquaculture
  • Chain of Custody (CoC) qualifications in MSC, ASC and/or CSI (RFM Unified Standard).
  • Experience with fisheries, aquaculture operations, feed mills or seafood processors.
• Social & Ethical Compliance
  • APSCA qualified (required for SMETA social audits; must be held or obtained prior to assignment).
• Responsible Palm Oil Sourcing
  • RSPO Supply Chain Certification.
  • Experience auditing palm oil supply chains, traders, processors or manufacturers.
• Preferred Cross‑
  
  Qualification:
  
  ISO Management Systems (IMS)
  • ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems.
  • ISO 45001 – Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems.
  • Auditors holding active IMS qualifications with recent audit logs may be considered for integrated or combined audits alongside food safety, social or responsible sourcing programmes, depending on client scope and accreditation rules.

• English – professional fluency required.
• At least one of the following languages (professional fluency):
  German, French, Spanish.
• Portuguese, Dutch, Turkish – highly desirable / bonus (proficiency required for on‑site audit delivery and report writing).

• Relevant university degree or equivalent professional experience (minimum 2 years) in food, agriculture, aquaculture, sustainability or social compliance, if allowed by scheme.
• Formal external lead auditor qualification(s) for applicable schemes, updated to current requirements.
• Minimum external audit experience as required by the relevant standard owner and accreditation rules.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in required languages.
• Ability to work independently as a contract auditor.
• Willingness and ability to travel within Europe.

• Experience auditing complex, multi‑site or multinational supply chains.
• Familiarity with EU regulatory and market expectations.
• Experience working with accredited certification bodies.
• Prior work with SCS Global Services (US or international).

• Engagement is contract‑based, per audit or per day, subject to SCS Europe contract terms.
• Travel requirements vary by programme and region; all reasonable travel expenses are reimbursed upon completion of the job.
• Auditors must comply with all applicable EU, scheme owner and accreditation requirements.
• Successful candidates may be offered additional scheme training based on business needs and performance.