Senior Agri-Food Certification Expert
GLOBALG.A.P., IFS, BRC, LEAF Marque, GRASP – Supporting compliance, integrity and trust in agri-food certification
Compliance - Integrity -Trust in Agri-Food Supply Chains
Auditor & Lead Auditor
Senior Agri-Food Certification Expert
GLOBALG.A.P., IFS, BRC, LEAF Marque, GRASP – Supporting compliance, integrity and trust in agri-food certification
Compliance - Integrity -Trust in Agri-Food Supply Chains
Auditor & Lead Auditor
About Me
I am a Senior Agri-Food Quality, Certification, and Audit Professional with more than 18 years of international experience across primary production, food supply chains, and retailer-driven quality systems.
I support companies operating in the fresh produce and agri-food sector — including producers, producer groups, exporters, retailers, and certification bodies — in managing quality, compliance, and certification requirements in complex international markets.
My background combines hands-on operational roles (Quality Director, Farm Director) with audit, technical review, and scheme governance responsibilities, allowing me to bridge commercial, agronomic, and regulatory perspectives.
I have worked extensively with GLOBALG.A.P., GRASP, (and other add-ons) IFS Food, IFS Broker, IFS Logistic, LEAF Marque, and major retailer standards, supporting organizations in meeting customer requirements, strengthening internal quality systems, and ensuring credible and defensible compliance.
I bring a pragmatic, risk-based approach focused on system robustness, decision-making quality, and long-term trust between supply-chain actors and markets.
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Scope: Agri-Food Certification & Assurance
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Geography: International / Europe
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Role: Techincal Manager, Quality Director, Auditor, Technical Reviewer, Scheme Manager
SUMMARY
Senior Agri-Food Quality and Certification Professional with extensive international experience across primary production, food supply chains, retailer requirements, and certification systems.
Proven background in quality leadership, audit and technical governance, and operational management, supporting companies and organizations in meeting market, customer, and regulatory expectations.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Scheme Manager – GLOBALG.A.P. & LEAF Marque
DNV Business Assurance | International
2022 – Present
• Technical and managerial responsibility for primary production certification schemes and related add-ons.
• Oversight of audit quality, technical reviews, and certification decisions
• Management of auditors and technical reviewers across multiple countries
• Handling of complex non-conformities, complaints, and integrity-related cases
• Interface with scheme owners and international stakeholders
Independent Auditor & Quality Consultant
Spain & International
2016 – 2022
• Second- and third-party audits for certification bodies, retailers, and producer groups
• Direct auditing against GLOBALG.A.P., GRASP, IFS, organic schemes, and retailer standards
• Quality and technical consulting for agri-food companies and exporters
• Support to quality system digitalization and process optimization
• Training activities for auditors and quality professionals
Quality, Food Safety & Environmental Systems Director
Cultiva O.P. | Italy / International Markets
2010 – 2016
• Overall responsibility for quality and food safety systems serving UK and Northern European retail markets
• Direct interaction with key customers including Bakkavor, Vitacress, G’S Fresh, Dole
• Implementation and improvement of retailer-driven quality standards
• Coordination of supply-chain compliance and producer performance
Farm Director – Fresh Produce Production
Fattoria Cupino | Italy
2010 – 2016 (parallel role with CULTIVA – same group)
• Operational management of a 90-hectare fresh produce farm supplying major UK retailers
• Responsibility for production planning, quality compliance, and retailer audits
• Farm served as Italian Market Garden for Waitrose
Quality Assurance Manager
Grain milling & Food Industry | Italy
2004 – 2010
• Quality and food safety management in Cereal processing industry and dairy sectors.
• Progressive responsibility across QA, technical management, and certification preparation
KEY AREAS OF EXPERTISE
• Retailer Requirements & Customer Compliance
• Certification Systems & Audit Governance
• Producer Group & Multi-site Management
• Risk-Based Auditing & Technical Decision Making
• Market Access & International Supply Chains
STANDARDS & SCHEMES
Retailer Standards (UK & EU)
Organic Production Schemes
Integrated Quality & Food Safety Systems
Degree in Agricultural Sciences (Agronomist) – University of Sassari, Italy.
Post-degree specialization in Food Safety – Regione Veneto, Padua, Italy.
Continuous professional development in agri-food quality systems, audit methodology, certification schemes, and retailer requirements.
Contact Me
For professional enquiries related to agri-food/ food certification, quality supply chainn, audit activities, technical review, or scheme-level support, you can contact me using the details below.
Email:
pierpaolobacciu@hotmail.com
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/pierpaolobacciu
I aim to respond within one to two working days.
Contact Form