Supplier Quality Audit Workflow

Steps

1. 1

   Initial Screening

   Evaluate supplier on paper: years in business, certifications (ISO 9001), production capacity, existing clients, and export experience.

   Minimum requirements:\n- 5+ years manufacturing diamond tools\n- ISO 9001 or equivalent QMS\n- Export experience to US/EU\n- Willing to provide references\n- Can meet MOQ requirements

2. 2

   Sample Request

   Order samples of 3-5 key products. Specify exact specs you need. Pay for samples (serious suppliers expect this). Request samples from current production, not special batch.

   Pro tip: Ask for samples from CURRENT production run, not specially made ones. You want to test what youll actually receive.

3. 3

   Sample Testing

   Run QC inspection workflow on samples. Additionally: test on actual concrete, measure lifespan per sqft, compare performance to current supplier.

   Test criteria:\n- Dimensional accuracy: +/- 0.5mm\n- Weight consistency: +/- 5%\n- Performance: within 80% of claimed lifespan\n- No defects in 95%+ of samples

4. 4

   Factory Assessment

   If samples pass, conduct factory audit (virtual or in-person). Check: production equipment, raw material sourcing, QC procedures, worker conditions, and capacity.

   Key factory checks:\n- Diamond source and grade verification\n- Sintering equipment (hot press vs cold press)\n- In-process QC checkpoints\n- Final inspection procedures\n- Packaging and shipping standards

5. 5

   Trial Order

   Place small trial order (1-2x MOQ). Verify: lead time accuracy, packaging quality, documentation completeness, and communication responsiveness.

6. 6

   Ongoing Monitoring

   After approval, monitor: batch-to-batch consistency, delivery reliability, communication quality, and customer complaint rate. Re-audit annually.

   Red flags for re-audit:\n- 2+ quality complaints in 3 months\n- Delivery delays >1 week twice\n- Unannounced spec changes\n- Communication deterioration

Tools Required