Compliance & Improvement Auditor

Job Description

To provide independent, risk-based assurance that Griffon Marine’s processes, controls and Integrated Management System are implemented effectively and comply with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, legal obligations, customer requirements and internal procedures.

The Internal Auditor will plan and conduct audits across operational and support functions, report evidence-based findings, support effective corrective action and contribute to continual improvement.

Each postholder is expected to work independently within the approved audit programme and to lead audits in the ISO disciplines for which the postholder is qualified and competent.

Objectives

• Deliver the risk-based internal audit programme objectively, consistently and to the agreed timetable.
• Provide reliable assurance over Quality, Health and Safety, Environmental and Integrated Management System controls.
• Identify non-conformity, control weakness, emerging risk and practical improvement opportunities.
• Ensure audit findings are supported by clear evidence and corrective actions are tracked to verified closure.
• Promote learning and continual improvement without taking over management ownership of the processes being audited.

• Maintain professional independence, confidentiality and impartiality at all times.
  

Responsibilities

Audit planning and preparation

• Contribute to the annual risk-based internal audit programme, taking account of process risk, legal obligations, previous findings, incidents, non-conformances, customer concerns and organisational change.
• Prepare audit scopes, objectives, criteria, plans and checklists appropriate to the activity being reviewed.
• Review relevant standards, legislation, procedures, records, KPIs and previous audit evidence before fieldwork begins.
• Confirm suitable arrangements with process owners while retaining audit independence and the right to follow material evidence.

Audit delivery

• Lead and conduct process, system, compliance, project, site and supplier audits within areas of competence.
• Use interviews, observation, sampling and record review to obtain objective evidence.
• Assess conformity to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, legal and other compliance obligations, customer requirements and Griffon Marine procedures.
• Evaluate whether controls are implemented, effective and capable of achieving intended outcomes, rather than relying solely on documented compliance.
• Conduct opening and closing meetings professionally and communicate emerging concerns promptly where immediate action may be required.
• Avoid auditing work for which the auditor has direct operational responsibility, and declare any actual or perceived conflict of interest.

Reporting, corrective action and verification

• Produce clear, concise and timely audit reports that distinguish non-conformances, observations and improvement opportunities.
• Ensure findings identify the applicable requirement, objective evidence and the nature of the control failure.
• Agree responsible owners and target dates through the approved process without prescribing or owning the operational solution.
• Monitor corrective actions, review root-cause analysis and verify that completed actions address the cause and are effective.
• Escalate significant, repeated, ineffective or overdue actions to the Integrated QHSE Manager.
• Maintain complete, accurate and controlled audit records within the approved business and document-management systems.

QHSE assurance and improvement support

• Analyse findings across audits, incidents, non-conformances and complaints to identify trends, systemic issues and recurring weaknesses.
• Support investigations, targeted reviews and assurance activity following significant incidents, quality escapes or business changes.
• Contribute evidence and analysis to management review, QHSE reporting and improvement planning.
• Share good practice and lessons learned while preserving the professional boundary between assurance and process ownership.
• Support supplier assurance and follow-up activity when requested by the Integrated QHSE Manager.

Experience

Essential:

• Recognised Lead Auditor qualification for at either of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, with a commitment to achieve additional discipline within an agreed period where not already held.
• Demonstrable experience conducting management-system or process audits independently, from planning through reporting and follow-up.
• Practical experience in a manufacturing, marine, engineering, fabrication, defence, construction or similarly controlled operational environment.
• Working knowledge of integrated management systems, risk-based auditing, corrective action, root-cause analysis and effectiveness verification.
• Ability to interpret ISO requirements, legislation, internal procedures, technical records and objective evidence.
• Clear written reporting, confident interviewing and the ability to challenge constructively at all organisational levels.
• Sound judgement, attention to detail, professional curiosity, integrity and the ability to maintain confidentiality and impartiality.
• Competence using Microsoft 365 and electronic document, action-tracking or business-management systems.

Desirable:

• Lead Auditor qualifications covering all three standards: ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.
• Membership of an appropriate professional body, such as CQI/IRCA, IOSH or IEMA.
• Experience of shipbuilding, marine engineering, vessel manufacture, commissioning or customer support.
• Experience of supplier audits, project quality assurance, regulatory compliance reviews or customer audits.
• Formal training in investigation or root-cause methods such as 5 Whys, fishbone analysis, 8D, ICAM or TapRooT.
• Knowledge of UK health, safety and environmental legislation relevant to industrial and shipyard activities

Role Authority

• Internal Auditors have unrestricted access to the records, workplaces and personnel reasonably required for an authorised audit, subject to security, safety and confidentiality controls.
• Internal Auditors may raise findings, request immediate containment and escalate significant risks, but process owners remain accountable for deciding and implementing corrective actions.
• Where an immediate and material risk to people, the environment, legal compliance or product conformity is observed, the auditor must intervene in accordance with Griffon Marine escalation arrangements and notify the Integrated QHSE Manager.
• Internal Auditors must not approve their own findings for closure where this would compromise objective verification.

Success Measures

• Audits completed to the approved programme and issued within agreed reporting timescales.
• Findings that are accurate, evidence-based, consistently graded and accepted as useful by process owners and management.
• Timely follow-up and effective closure of corrective actions, with repeated findings reduced over time.
• Identification of systemic risks and improvement opportunities before they result in significant failure.
• Positive contribution to certification readiness, management review and continual improvement of the Integrated Management System.
• Maintained auditor competence, independence and continuing professional development.

Company Benefits:

*Company Terms and Conditions Apply