By The Pro QC Quality Assurance Team Part 2 – Supplier Development, Continuous Improvement, Ideal Outcomes Supplier Development In tandem with the creation of a functional supplier, a relationship is effective supplier development. This is essentially a focus on analyzing your supplier’s performance and establishing an action plan to ensure sustained performance, which in turn strengthens your quality assurance practice. Even the smallest errors are unforgiving in today’s market, which means it is of critical importance to consider a comprehensive review of supplier performance because you don’t want to have to switch suppliers on the fly. The first step is to analyze your risks. At Pro QC, we set out from the very beginning to understand any possible challenges or requirements from either you or the supplier, making sure that all parties are on the same page. We then begin with an audit that analyses and evaluates the supplier’s manufacturing KPIs. After identifying the gaps, a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) will be established, i.e. a list of improvement actions that can be implemented either with our assistance or directly by the factory. Following this, Pro QC will verify the corrective actions implemented on-site and continue to monitor future performance, and ensure and promote continuous improvement. It is important to remember that there is no single one-size-fits-all solution for any supplier development relationship. Each case is unique – which is why we are committed to working with both parties to help maintain a healthy and dynamic partnership between our clients and their suppliers. Continuous Improvement Now that you’ve got your Supplier Development program underway, it’s time to make sure that both your business and your suppliers are achieving Continuous Improvement. Covering three main tenets: improved quality, on time delivery, and cost reduction, CI Continuous Improvements ensure the supplier is meeting criteria and that the same issue can be resolved ahead of time and do not reoccur. Although no one can guarantee that there will be zero quality issues, with a proper mindset of Continuous Improvement, we can reduce the risk of failures significantly, and therefore minimizing the cost of poor quality. At ProQC we stay on the ball by providing on-site consulting to manage any CAP and make sure these plans have been implemented with sustainable practices and processes. Our service and facilitation can be tailored to meet your needs – delivered weekly, monthly, or quarterly, with follow-ups by our Quality Consultants, Auditors or Manufacturing Engineers depending on the nature of the work. This collaborative effort with your supplier will result in increased performance, giving your business the edge needed for long-term success. Ideal Outcomes Effective supplier development strategies yield significant outcomes by reducing defects, the total cost of ownership, and overall Cost Of Poor Quality. The Ideal Outcome is the end achievement – through the implementation of quantifiable and measurable strategic initiatives, which we have discussed here, we can mitigate risk and aim toward more sustainable quality performance. We’re committed to achieving the best value for both parties in a business relationship and running efficient end-to-end programs for the entire supply chain. With Pro QC, you can leave the activities encompassing the Supplier Management service to us, leaving you to focus on other aspects of your business without worrying about the quality of your end product.
