Auditing a supply chain before you depend on it prevents the crises that make headlines. Use this checklist.
ISO 9001:2015 certificate, documented inspection process, non-conformance handling, and calibration records.
Material certs, lot numbers, and batch-level records from raw stock to finished part.
How many vetted sub-suppliers back up capacity? Single-source risk is the silent killer of on-time delivery.
Engineering support, lead-time honesty, and a named contact who owns your account.
Annually for active suppliers, and always after a significant quality or delivery event.
Vague answers on traceability or no corrective-action process.