A company is only as strong as its supply chain. Without reliable suppliers, things like marketing and branding mean very little. If you don’t have products to sell to customers, there’s simply no way to do business. So it would be an understatement to say that suppliers play an important role in the success of a business.
For business owners, this presents a bit of risk if you’re not careful. Suppliers are typically
Beyond suppliers themselves, other external factors can derail a supply chain. Weather conditions and natural disasters, as well as economic factors, can also interfere with manufacturing and shipping.
But just because there are potential risks involved when it comes to overseeing your supply chain, it does not mean your business is powerless. Businesses can mitigate these risks by periodically conducting a thorough supplier evaluation. This guide will go over important factors to look for in a supplier evaluation, as well as strategies for conducting a supplier performance evaluation.
What to Look For In A Supplier Evaluation
The first question to answer is, what criteria do you use to evaluate a supplier? There are several key factors to consider during an evaluation. These factors should all be measurable and easy to understand. This makes it easier to provide feedback to your suppliers, as well as make judgments about your supply chain needs. You can use whatever internal ranking system you want (numbers, letter grades, etc.). Just be sure that your ratings are consistent and easy to understand.
With that said, here are some of the most important supplier evaluation criteria to use during your next review.
Production capacity
One of the most important questions to ask is, Can the supplier meet the production demands of our business? One of the fundamental reasons retailers rely on suppliers is that they are capable of handling
Risk and risk response
There is always some degree of risk for any business. Suppliers must be equipped to respond to risks and emergencies quickly and consistently. As such, you should place a strong emphasis on your supplier evaluation risk rating when conducting a review.
The risk rating should factor in not just how suppliers respond to risks, but what risks your suppliers are most vulnerable to.
For instance, a supplier in a region that occasionally experiences adverse weather conditions will be vulnerable to shipping delays. These factors may be beyond the supplier’s control, but they absolutely should be factored into your evaluation.
Of course, a supplier’s risk management and risk response plans are also key to determining the supplier evaluation risk rating.
Environmental impact
Environmental impact is a top concern for many consumers and businesses alike. Minimizing environmental damage through manufacturing and supply chain practices is one of the most effective ways to reduce your company’s environmental impact. As such, supplier evaluations should always analyze a supplier’s resource consumption and sustainability practices.
What resources does the supplier use, and how do they obtain them? Does the supplier use recycled materials? What kind of energy do they use in both manufacturing and shipment? How does the supplier handle harmful chemicals? These are all important questions to address during an evaluation.
The standard system for measuring environmental impact across industries is ISO 14001.
Product quality
Lastly, the concern of product quality is also very important during a supplier evaluation. Even if every other box is checked,
For more about measuring production quality, read about ISO 9001:2000 quality management systems. This certification system is considered the industry standard for supplier performance evaluation.
How Do You Evaluate a Supplier?
Now you know what criteria to use during a supplier evaluation. But what is the first step in supplier selection and evaluation? How should you go about conducting an evaluation? Here are some basic steps to follow to ensure that your supplier performance evaluation is effective.
Clearly define criteria
The above criteria are important to have when conducting your evaluation. But it is also important to make sure your supplier understands the criteria as well. Having an understanding of the criteria allows the supplier to better understand your goals and needs. It also gives them a better chance to offer feedback about the evaluation.
Lastly, having clearly defined criteria can make the entire process run more smoothly. Because the supplier understands how they will be evaluated, they will be
Consult with suppliers when setting supplier evaluation criteria
Before conducting your evaluation, you should also discuss the criteria with your suppliers. This allows them to offer feedback about how they will be assessed or provide any additional information.
Many companies provide a
Offer feedback and listen to suppliers
Once the supplier evaluation is complete, you should share the results with your suppliers. When sharing results, it is also customary to offer feedback for areas of improvement or success.
This helps suppliers make any necessary adjustments to their supply chain or manufacturing practices. Positive feedback is also appreciated as it lets the suppliers know that their good work is recognized and appreciated.
When offering feedback, it is also critical to give the supplier a chance to respond. They may be able to provide further insight into some of the challenges that may be impacting their performance. Your supplier performance evaluation should never be closed off or
There are two main objectives to consider when conducting a supplier review. First, identify areas of risk and vulnerability in your company’s supply chain. And second, to provide opportunities for improvement to your suppliers.
Assign the right team members to conduct the review
Lastly, the person assigned to conducting the supplier evaluation should know what they are doing. Ideally, you will have a purchasing specialist conduct the review. Why should a purchasing supplier evaluate supplier performance? There are a couple of reasons.
First, they likely already have an established relationship with the supplier. The purchasing specialist will also have an
When done correctly, a supplier performance evaluation can improve results and lead to better profits. These evaluations are an advanced step to take when running a business. If you are just starting your business, there are other steps to consider before you get to your supplier performance evaluations.
To learn more about the basics of supplier relations, read Ecwid’s guide to finding suppliers for your business. Or, read about our favorite business management tools that you can use for your online business.
- Supplier, Manufacturer, Vendor, and Distributor: Definitions & Differences
- How to Find Distributors for Your Product
- How To Find a Manufacturer for Your Product Idea
- Where to Find a Wholesale Supplier for Your Online Store
- The Science of Contacting Suppliers When You’re Starting a Business
- How to Find the Right Supplier on AliExpress
- How to Choose a Clothing Manufacturer
- Finding the Right Furniture Manufacturer
- How to Choose Plastic Suppliers
- Connecting With Cosmetics Manufacturers
- How to Find the Best Toy Manufacturers
- What Are Private Label Manufacturers
- How to Get Companies to Send You Tools (Samples) for Free
- Understanding Supplier Code of Conduct
- How to Evaluate Supplier Performance
- Strategies for Managing Supplier Relations
- How to Be a Good Distributor