It has been said so often, and it holds so true – the events of the last year and a half have been unprecedented. The global effects of COVID-19 have rippled through the supply chain impacting every industry including, but not limited to, delays in shipping, rising prices, and material availability. The processes for selection, evaluation, and monitoring of supplier performance are increasing in importance for organizations large and small. The information in this article is intended to take the mystique out of supplier management, especially for small and medium sized organizations as it relates to ensuring compliance to quality management system standards ISO9001.
The control of external provided processes, products, and services clause in standards like ISO9001, ISO13485, and AS9100 (to list a few) encompass key supplier management process elements: supplier selection, evaluation, and performance monitoring, control over supplier provided materials/services and information flowed to suppliers. Supplier management, especially for small and medium sized companies, does not need to be complex or complicated. Whether it is customized software, an access database, or an Excel spreadsheet – the criteria used to select, evaluate, and monitor supplier performance are not prescribed in any of the standards; it is up to the organization to determine what is important related to managing suppliers.