What role does the lead auditor have in the internal audit?

The lead auditor plays a crucial role in organizing and coordinating the internal audit process. This involves planning the audit activities, determining the scope, and assigning responsibilities to the audit team members. The lead auditor ensures that all areas of the process are adequately covered and that the audit is conducted effectively according to the established criteria and objectives. By bringing together all of the necessary resources and managing the schedule, the lead auditor helps facilitate a thorough and systematic examination of the quality management system, ensuring that it meets ISO 9001 requirements.

In contrast to this role, performing all audit actions would typically not be feasible for a single individual, as internal audits require a team effort. Representing the management team is not the primary responsibility of the lead auditor, as the auditor's duty is to assess the effectiveness and compliance of the organization's processes rather than advocate for management's views. Developing audit procedures is also generally not the role of the lead auditor, as these procedures would typically be established in advance as part of the organization's quality management system.