Four dimensions, one record
Rate matters, but so does whether the lot arrives on time, arrives complete and passes inspection. Kept together on the supplier profile, they turn sourcing from recollection into comparison.
- Rate history per material, with the dates it applied
- Average lead time from purchase order to receipt
- Short supply percentage across recent receipts
- Rejection history recorded on goods received notes
Delay has a price you can name
A lot arriving five days late either pushes dispatch or forces overtime. Once lead time variance sits next to rate, the conversation with a supplier changes from bargaining to expectations.
Split volumes deliberately
Supplier history also tells you where concentration is risky. Splitting a critical fabric across two proven suppliers costs a little on rate and removes a single point of failure in the season.
Takeaway
Judge suppliers on rate, lead time, completeness and rejections together - and keep that history on the supplier record.
Topics in this article
- supplier comparison
- lead time
- quality
- sourcing
