Supplier Quality Management

Supplier Quality Management (SQM) is the process of qualifying, monitoring, and continuously improving the quality performance of external suppliers — across raw materials, components, sub-assemblies, and contract manufacturers. It is the procurement-side complement to internal quality management and a make-or-break process for outsourced manufacturing.

Scope

SQM covers supplier qualification (audits, sample approvals, PPAP / first-article submissions), ongoing performance scorecards (defect rates, on-time delivery, responsiveness), nonconformance and SCAR (supplier corrective-action request) workflows, change-notification (PCN) management, and supplier-development programs. PLM is the controlled source of the engineering specs, AML/AVL, and change-notice traffic that supplier quality acts on; the QMS is where audits and SCARs live.

Relationships (see sidebar)

• Realizes Product Quality, First Time Right, and Total Cost of Ownership.
• Supported by the AML, AVL, QMS capability, CAPA data object, and the Deviation data object.
• Coordinated with Supplier Development (operational) and Quality Management (internal QMS).