The cheapest supplier problem to fix is the one you prevent at qualification. Before a new supplier goes on your approved supplier list, collect enough evidence to know they can meet your requirements, and record it so the next auditor can see why you approved them.
Before you send anything
- Define the scope. What commodity, process or part family is the supplier being approved for? Approval for bar stock is not approval for heat treat.
- Rate the risk. A supplier of critical or special-process parts needs more evidence than one supplying packaging.
- Check your customer's rules. Some customers require their approved special-process sources, or specific certifications such as Nadcap.
The qualification package
- Your requirements. Your supplier quality manual or terms, acknowledged by the supplier at the current revision.
- Certifications. ISO 9001, AS9100, IATF 16949, Nadcap or ISO 13485 as relevant, with scope and expiry date. Check the scope covers what you are buying.
- A self-assessment. A questionnaire on their quality system, process controls, calibration, training, subcontracting and change control. It tells you where to look harder.
- Contacts. Who answers for quality, SCARs, certificates and PPAPs.
Deeper evidence for higher-risk suppliers
- A supplier audit, on site or remote, focused on the processes you are buying.
- A first article inspection or PPAP on the first parts, so you know the process can make your part, not just parts in general.
- Capability data on critical characteristics where your customer requires it.
The decision
Rate what you found against consistent criteria and record the decision: approved, approved with conditions, or not approved, with the scope and any conditions written down. Set when the supplier will next be reviewed. A decision with no record behind it is a finding waiting to happen.
Checklist
- Scope and risk level defined
- Supplier quality manual acknowledged at the current revision
- Certificates on file, scope checked, expiry recorded
- Self-assessment received and reviewed
- Audit and first article or PPAP where the risk calls for it
- Evaluation rated against consistent criteria
- Decision, scope and conditions recorded on the approved supplier list
- Next review date set
In FactoryQA's Supplier Quality module you send the manual, certificate requests and a self-assessment in one onboarding package; the supplier answers through a portal with no account. Evaluations rate five areas from 1 to 5 and recommend a status. Our Supplier Quality Services include supplier assessments, audits and PPAP services when you need more hands.