Seeking: Approved Supplier (Vendor) Log Example

[energy]

Somehow connected?

One time during a Customer Audit, the Auditor questioned the "no responses" to some SCAR's that were tracked as part of the approved Supplier's list. They asked how come we let them get away with not responding. The QM said they were friends of the Company Owner. He said that they had a similar problem in their company and they created the President's Approved Supplier's list. He also said there was never a Supplier put on it because the Company Owner had a change of heart regarding Customer Auditor's questions regarding the list's existance. Cute, huh?

 

[db]

I have a client who has been using an AVL Their procedure called for yearly reviews based on surveys that were sent to the supplier. The surveys ask questions like: "Do you have a QMS?" "Have you received any major nonconformances from your registrar?", etc.

I asked why they sent out the surveys, and they responded that ISO required them to evaluate their suppliers. I asked what value did the surveys have and they said that it prohibited them from getting a nonconformance during the audit. I told them that they were being stupid. If there is no business reason to formally evaluate the suppliers annualy, then don't do it.

Every company continually evaluates their suppliers. In most companies, you do not need to track their late shipments, quality issues etc. (except QS/TS). It is up to the organization to determine how they evaluate, select and re-evaluate their suppliers. As for the required records, you have them already. Every PO written to a vendor is a record of the evaluation. Any email, letter or other communication is also a record. If the vendor has to perform a corrective action, that too is a record. Don't make this harder than it needs to be!

 

[energy]

It's easy if not effective

db said:

1. I told them that they were being stupid.


2. Don't make this harder than it needs to be!

1. When you came for your payment I would tell you same thing, for sure!


2. What's easier than mailing out a Supplier Survey, rather than sifting through all those other things you mention? That's exactly why this company I worked for did it. It kept Customer Auditors off their backs so that they could concentrate on other more important things. Like, when are they coming back again?

 

[db]

What's easier than mailing out a Supplier Survey, rather than sifting through all those other things you mention?

energy, energy, energy...............

Other than the audit, is there any other reason to send out the survey? If so, then send out the survey, if not, then why go through all of the extra work? What if they don't send it back? Or if they send it back with the wrong data on it? Do you stop using a vendor just because they "failed" the survey?

As far as the "other things" I mentioned, they have to be done anyways. There is no "sifting" required. Just use the vendor's "past history" as your decision point. If the vendor has no past history............you have two choices 1) try them, or 2) don't. If you try them, guess what? You now have history!

I know you've roughed me up (not like that Irish lad either) in a different thread, but now you are dealing with the "Grand Master" WATCH IT!

 

[energy]

Eggzachary

I thought they were useless, too. But it worked. Just like a good insect repellant, the bugs went away. Company was happy. That was the intent of my post, Grasshopper!

 

[db]

You know energy, the folks around my cube wonder sometimes why I suddenly break out in a chuckle or laugh. They think I might be crazy!

 

[M Greenaway]

Energy

I would have a bigger fear of being found out for doing something totally non value adding for the company than having to debate the finer points of ISO9001 with an external auditor.

If we as quality professionals continue to harbour bad practices all in the name of having to do it for passing audits then sure as eggs one day we will get found out by the guys who actually pay our wages, and doubtless we will be forced into a career change - no dig intended, honestly

 

[energy]

No argument here, Martin!

M Greenaway said:

Energy

I would have a bigger fear of being found out for doing something totally non value adding for the company than having to debate the finer points of ISO9001 with an external auditor.

If we as quality professionals continue to harbour bad practices all in the name of having to do it for passing audits then sure as eggs one day we will get found out by the guys who actually pay our wages, and doubtless we will be forced into a career change - no dig intended, honestly

This company just doesn't care and they are no closer to Registration than when I was there. They just don't give a sh1t. I was trying to get back there because I know they haven't done a thing in that area since I left. I was the Mgt Rep. 2 1/2 years ago. The QA Mgr lobbied hard for my return. They said no, so here we are. I must say they seem to have it under control because they manage to keep getting contracts. Go figure!


Oh P.S., I left there for greener pastures. I just didn't know that those pastures would retire me from the Q Profession.

 

[M Greenaway]

Energy

I dont know the circumstances of your former employer, but if we are giving the message that we only do this beurocratic nonsense to pass audits to gain a badge that gives us very little, if anything in return, then it is no wonder that those looking in on us dont give a sh!t.

I would not give a sh!t for an approved vendor list that serves no purpose to the business, just is trollied out at audit time to pacify some pencil necked geek of an auditor. Also it would call into question in my mind al lthe other sh!t the quality department keep trying to force me to do.

Doubtless the reason your former employer still wins contracts is either they ar in a niche market with no competition, in which case why try to gain a competitive edge with ISO9001 or for that matter a formal QMS of any kind, or they do actually effectively manage quality (or their business if you prefer) - perhaps it doesnt align with our misconceptions of ISO9001 requirements for approved vendor lists, contract review forms, audit checklists, design review meetings, management review meetings, etc, etc, but I am sure these things must be managed somehow - or perhaps we have all been fooled

 

[energy]

For reference

I've attached that worthless Supplier survey pkg for interested parties than open attachments.

I agree, Martin, they must be managing the business right because there are 100 employees, they are in a very competitive market where you can lose a contract for being 2 cents higher than your competitor. They also have Customer Reps on the premises all the time and they are part of the Final Inspection process. (sampling). They are being pressured to become AS9001 certified by their customers. But, they are being allowed a couple of years to comply, so they will wait until the last minute. Their stategy at this moment is to convince those Customers that they have a lack of resources because the price concessions mandated by the Customers doesn't permit them to pursue Registration at this time. Guess what? The Customers must like the prices because the heat is off.

Oh, this attachment is old (1999) and doesn't ask if the Supplier is certified to ISO.