Supplier management template

Focus on suppliers that provide critical components, represent significant spend, or pose potential risk to your operations. Start with your top 20% of suppliers by spend or those providing materials that directly impact your product quality. For new suppliers, complete this template during the qualification process to establish a baseline for future performance reviews.

First, send the template directly to your supplier’s account manager with a clear deadline. For existing suppliers, pre-fill what you know and ask them to verify. Schedule a brief follow-up call to discuss any unclear responses or missing information. Remember that some suppliers may be hesitant about financial details, so explain how this information helps you build a more resilient supply chain together.

First, explain specifically how the information helps you better support their business through improved forecasting and planning. If they’re concerned about confidentiality, consider offering a non-disclosure agreement. For financial information, you might accept alternative evidence of stability such as bank references or years in business instead of specific revenue figures.

Create a scoring system for each section based on your priorities. For example, award more points to suppliers with ISO certifications if quality is paramount, or higher points for better delivery rates if timing is critical. Standardize your evaluation criteria before reviewing submissions so you’re comparing suppliers objectively across the same metrics.