Supplier Qualification - How do we determine which suppliers to qualify?

[snoopy2017]

How do we determine which suppliers to qualify? I understand that only suppliers involved in product realization should be qualified. What about suppliers indirectly involved? For example, to create labels, we need a labeling software program (Barcode Software | Free 30-Day Trial Edition | BarTender by Seagull Scientific) It's not the printer itself, but a labeling program. Does this supplier need to be qualified?

Where do we the draw the line between indirect an direct suppliers? If we purchase some parts from Amazon.com, should do a supplier evaluation of Amazon too?

Thank you so much.

 

[Marc]

You might want to take a read through some existing supplier qualification discussions. Most of this is common sense. Supplier Qualification/Selection and Decision Methods

 

[optomist1]

Snoopy 2017,

Some insight as to industry, and your products will help in responding...although there are procedures common to across many industries, there are differences and peculiarities, as well.

Optomist1

 

[somashekar]

How do we determine which suppliers to qualify? I understand that only suppliers involved in product realization should be qualified. What about suppliers indirectly involved? For example, to create labels, we need a labeling software program (Barcode Software | Free 30-Day Trial Edition | BarTender by Seagull Scientific) It's not the printer itself, but a labeling program. Does this supplier need to be qualified?

Where do we the draw the line between indirect an direct suppliers? If we purchase some parts from Amazon.com, should do a supplier evaluation of Amazon too?

Thank you so much.

Based on your Medical device requirement and Organization requirement.
If you are buying tissue for your cafeteria tables, your requirements may be different, compared to buying tissue for your Medical device cleaning requirement.

 

[Philip B]

How do we determine which suppliers to qualify? I understand that only suppliers involved in product realization should be qualified. What about suppliers indirectly involved? For example, to create labels, we need a labeling software program (Barcode Software | Free 30-Day Trial Edition | BarTender by Seagull Scientific) It's not the printer itself, but a labeling program. Does this supplier need to be qualified?

Where do we the draw the line between indirect an direct suppliers? If we purchase some parts from Amazon.com, should do a supplier evaluation of Amazon too?

Thank you so much.

Hi Snoopy,

We evaluate products rather than suppliers. For each purchased product (or product family) we assess risk of non-supply or product failure and place products in one of four risk categories (low, medium, high and critical). The supplier then falls into these risk categories according to the products they supply;

if they supply products in more than one category then the higher risk group applies. We then assign increasing levels of control over suppliers according to the category eg low - very little, just a basic questionnaire; critical - physical audit, technical agreement, six monthly reviews, business continuity planning etc. Works well for us and also demonstrates a 'risk based approach'.​

Hope this helps.

 

[optomist1]

Purchasing usually provides some form of general direction, ie a Sourcing Strategy Plan, if a supplier/commodity falls with the confines of the
Plan, usually the qualification can begin.....and a Supplier Eligibility Assessment is conducted to baseline the supplier.

Optomist1

 

[Ninja]

FWIW, we purchased BarTender for GHS labeling...good program.
we worked with one of their licensed agents and bought 3 seats of the program, and 3 Canon TM-3500 printers to go with them.

It was a one time buy. We did NOT formally qualify the supplier, nor Seagull Scientific...and have never used them since, either.

The place we purchase the label stock and ink from on an ongoing basis...we qualified them and put them on our Approved Vendor list.

Hope this perspective helps...

 

[joemar]

Hi Snoopy,

We evaluate products rather than suppliers. For each purchased product (or product family) we assess risk of non-supply or product failure and place products in one of four risk categories (low, medium, high and critical). The supplier then falls into these risk categories according to the products they supply;

if they supply products in more than one category then the higher risk group applies. We then assign increasing levels of control over suppliers according to the category eg low - very little, just a basic questionnaire; critical - physical audit, technical agreement, six monthly reviews, business continuity planning etc. Works well for us and also demonstrates a 'risk based approach'.​

Hope this helps.

I know this is an old thread, but is there any chance you can share this procedure with me? Id love to see how this is written into a procedure.

 

[dasadee]

Hello, I have a question - is the material supplier audit required for surgical mask and FFP masks manufacturers please?
Thank you.

 

[Ninja]

See also separate thread with the same question here.