Policy for Suppliers - Developing a Supplier Policy Document

[auclairdiana]

I have recently begun working in the QA department for a start up medical device company. This is my issue... I have been asked by my management to develop a Supplier Policy document. I already have a policy/SOP documents for purchasing, vendor selection and approval, quality agreements, non-conforming materials, etc. I have never heard of a supplier policy, other than those I've listed and I'm not sure we want/need a supplier quality manual since we only have three critical suppliers. My management isn't clear on what they're expecting, so I'm hoping someone here may be able to help me with this.

Thanks in advance for any clarity you may be able to offer.

 

[sagai]

Hi,
QM System can contains requirements not only from regulatory sources but also from the company in order to support its business.
Likely it is the case, its driver shall specifies its interpretation and his/her needs. Having none of it, and someone may heard about it in a management course , i would create a summary document for all the recent related ones and call that as "supplier policy"
Nevertheless, in case there is a company reason to have it, I would suggest let them have it, they are the ones running the business and financing the company.
regards
Sz.

 

[MRWardell]

From my experience, I would say all the documents and process you mention constitute your Supplier Policy. As the other post suggested, you might want to compile your current procedures into a single policy document, and perhaps include purchasing, incoming inspection, return materials and other related procedures that impact suppliers.

 

[auclairdiana]

Very helpful information! Thanks to both of you for clarifying this request.