Why do you need this service?
A Supplier Audit provides an independent view of an organisation’s ability to consistently meet quality, volume, logistics and delivery requirements. It verifies documentation and, above all, the actual control of processes, risks and responses to deviations.
When is an audit worthwhile?
- before qualifying a new supplier or launching a product,
- after a series of customer complaints, delivery disruptions or a process change,
- when there are concerns about production capacity and business continuity,
- before increasing volume or transferring production,
- as part of a strategic supplier development programme.
We adapt the scope to the risks, customer requirements and applicable standards. The audit may cover the quality system, production process, logistics, maintenance, competencies, traceability and change management.
What is our role?
We prepare the criteria and audit sample, analyse the available data and then conduct an assessment at the Gemba. We verify whether records match practice, talk with process owners and examine the flow from customer requirements through product inspection to the response to non-conformities.
A Supplier Audit concludes with risk prioritisation and a practical development plan. We can support action closure, team coaching and reassessment. Depending on the needs, we combine it with a VDA 6.3 audit, Core Tools and ISO 9001 or IATF 16949 (in Polish) requirements.
Result
- an assessment of strengths, gaps and risks,
- process evidence and clear justification of findings,
- priorities based on the impact on the customer and continuity of deliveries,
- an action plan with owners and deadlines,
- a recommendation for further qualification or development.
A handful of facts
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stages: preparation, Gemba and reporting
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action areas organised through PDCA
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supplier development plan with owners and deadlines
Implementation support
We provide support based on the Kata process, which allows us to adapt our activities to the specifics of your organization, taking into account the jointly set goals. The Kata process consists of four key elements that enable effective implementation of assumptions.
We operate according to PDCA
P
PLAN
PLAN — objective, risk and criteria
We agree the audit objective, product, process, location, customer requirements and expected reporting method. We analyse quality performance, on-time delivery, customer complaints, changes and previous actions. This forms the basis of a risk-focused audit plan.
- scope and assessment criteria,
- review of input data and documents,
- selection of audit team competencies,
- an agenda and sample of processes,
- KPIs and rules for classifying findings.
D
DO
DO — assessment at the Gemba
We follow the actual flow of products and information. We examine planning, process capability, parameter control, measuring equipment, traceability, competencies, maintenance, logistics and the handling of non-conformities.
- process observations and conversations with employees,
- verification of records and evidence,
- assessment of quality and delivery risks,
- checks of the response to changes and deviations,
- discussion of facts with process owners.
C
CHECK
CHECK — report and priorities
We organise findings by their significance for the customer, safety, quality and continuity of deliveries. The report presents strengths, non-conformities, risks and improvement opportunities. At the closing meeting, we agree on the facts and the evidence expected to demonstrate completion.
- classification and justification of findings,
- cause analysis for key gaps,
- assessment of the impact on supplier KPIs,
- corrective action priorities,
- deadlines for effectiveness reviews.
A
ACT
ACT — development and reassessment
We support the supplier in preparing a realistic improvement plan and the purchasing organisation in overseeing it. We verify evidence, action effectiveness and the durability of change. For strategic suppliers, we develop a development programme and recurring assessment rules.
- an action plan with responsibilities,
- coaching to close key gaps,
- monitoring of quality and delivery KPIs,
- a repeat audit or evidence review,
- rollout of good practices across the supply chain.
Want to learn more? Contact us!
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