Desiree - Principal Auditor

The Story

Being a Food Auditor wasn’t in my plans. But 20 years ago, I realised I didn’t want to be stuck behind a desk five days a week and started doing some research. Soon, I became an Inspector for the Dutch Health Authority, and after a few years in that role, I discovered DNV.

Even after all these years, every day still feels fresh to me. One day you could be talking to a butcher, a baker or a farmer, and the next you’re in front of the CEO board of a large organisation; the variety keeps it interesting. You have to enjoy being on the road, because you’ll likely be out visiting sites for 80% of your week. But that comes with the chance to see many parts of the country.

I love that I’m trusted to manage my time, workload, and clients, in a way that works for me. It’s part of what’s kept me here for 17 years. As a Principal Auditor, I still get to carry out audits, but I have a broader role that includes supporting other auditors and keeping the team up to date with changes in the industry, or our processes.

Even though you’ll have a lot of responsibility, you’ll get loads of support when you need it. Not only from Principal Leads, but also from a team of fellow auditors, who you’ll meet with several times a year. It’s a great chance to collaborate and share knowledge, while building team morale. I really like working independently, but there’s a family feeling with my colleagues, so I enjoy catching up with them and learning from them too.

Learning is embedded in the culture at DNV, so you’ll need to be curious – a skill that lends itself well to the role of Food Auditor. You’ll also need to be flexible in your approach and recognise that not everything is black and white. Above all, it’s about wanting the best outcome for the client, and helping them to exceed and excel.

Find out more about the opportunities available here.