In short: Supplier quality management covers the full supplier life cycle: selecting capable suppliers, defining requirements clearly, monitoring performance with scorecards, auditing based on risk and developing suppliers to improve.
What are the stages of supplier quality management?
- Supplier selection and approval
- Clear specifications and quality agreements
- Incoming verification and performance monitoring
- Risk-based audits
- Corrective action and supplier development
What should a supplier scorecard include?
- Quality: defect rate, rejected lots, complaints
- Delivery: on-time, in-full performance
- Responsiveness to corrective actions
- Cost and continual improvement contributions
How do you develop suppliers?
Share data, agree improvement plans, provide training on key tools and recognize improvement. Strategic suppliers benefit most from joint improvement projects.
Key takeaways
- Manage suppliers across their full life cycle.
- Use balanced scorecards to track performance.
- Invest in developing strategic suppliers.
Frequently asked questions
What is a quality agreement?
A document defining quality responsibilities and requirements between customer and supplier.
How many suppliers should be audited?
Base the number and frequency on supplier risk and performance.
What does ISO 9001 require for suppliers?
Clause 8.4 requires control of externally provided processes, products and services based on their impact.