1.First Supplier Screening at the Front End of Cooperation
1.Applied Channels to find Good Suppliers
1.1Contact information obtained through trade shows
Face-to-face meetings and a clear understanding of the supplier’s main products
1.2 Referrals from colleagues and friends
With existing collaborations (hands-on experience with orders, better understanding of supplier quality control
1.3 Introducing through online channels
Using existing product quotes to verify the reliability of supplier product pricing
2.Quotation and Communication
2.1 Completeness of quotation information: focus on “details” rather than “low price.” Compare supplier quotations with the market average; if lower than the average, be wary of potential cost-cutting measures.
2.2 Initial product quotation responses:timely and proactive responses are crucial.
2.3 Communication with the supplier: does the supplier promptly and clearly understand our quotation requirements to avoid misunderstandings? Are they proactive in highlighting potential product risks?
3.Supplier Verification Methods
3.1 Verify supplier qualifications through multiple channels: including Qichacha, Tianyancha, Qixinbao, etc., and strictly adhere to financial requirements.
3.2 On-site or third-party supplier audits: Verify warehousing conditions, equipment capacity, and production lines to prevent the risk of customer order instability and delays due to insufficient supplier capacity and production line delivery time.
3.3 High-quality suppliers can provide stable quality control and inspection, reducing subsequent product rework and claims.
3.4 supplier payment methods, deposit percentage, and securing some credit terms are crucial, especially for suppliers located outside the local area.
Second Round of Screening After Cooperation
1.Order Cooperation:
Many variables exist during order production, making supplier cooperation paramount. Sufficient cooperation ensures efficient order progress.
2.Bulk Product Quality:
For orders with confirmed samples, bulk product quality needs to be verified during and after production. Consistency between the bulk product and the sample significantly reduces confirmation time with the customer.
3.Attitude towards Handling Problems During Production:
Order issues are common. Even with consistently high-volume production, unexpected events can disrupt operations.
4.Problems are not the problem:
A poor attitude towards problem-solving is. Even good solutions are difficult to implement.
5.After-Sales Handling:
A supplier’s after-sales handling reveals its willingness to cooperate.If a supplier refuses to take responsibility for damaged goods, it essentially indicates a lack of intention to continue the partnership or a repeat business. Such suppliers should be warned, as repeat orders will be difficult to resolve. We need to use contracts and payment terms to ensure compliance.
Suppliers that take full responsibility for the goods shipped are the ones we want to expand our cooperation with. All order-related issues are easier to discuss, and we’ll be more adept at handling subsequent orders.
Summary and Sharing
From the source, the supplier’s problem-solving ability is paramount. We prefer to cooperate with suppliers that have their own quality control, large scale, and strong capabilities.
Accurate and effective supplier selection can significantly reduce the hassle of subsequent order follow-up.
