What are your thoughts on a "supplier reply packet"
We're a global company and are looking at "reply packets" each specifically tailored to our individual products or chemicals. These packets would have a couple page write up explaining the product and applicable standards or food safety information as well as pertinent documents such as HACCP plan, SDS, sample CoA, TDS/Spec, etc.
I've polled a few of the end customers these last few months as to their opinion of that and I've received everything from "yes that sounds great!" to "no, we would not approve you as a supplier".
What is the general consensus of the group on this type of packet?
Our standard pack that we give to customers and prospective customers includes a spec sheet on each finished product, HACCP Plan, GMPs for Employees, SQF Certificate along with a full copy of our most recent SQF audit. It works well for us.
You would be in good company within the industry. I've been on both sides, and on the receiving side most supplier packets that I received had far more information than I needed to meet the requirements of an approved supplier. I can understand how filling out supplier approval questionnaires can become a full time job. Any idea why those who said they wouldn't approve find it unsatisfactory?
In general I think it's a good idea and will save everyone time. Of course you'll probably still get some customers that will inevitably want more or for your to fill in their specific questionnaire.
I had two awesome suppliers that did great jobs with supplier packets. One provided everything in a zip file, and the other kept all documents in a repository on their website. Both of these made my life a little easier because I could easily get what I needed without a fuss. I'm also curious as to why some suppliers said they wouldn't approve you as a supplier if you provided them with everything a customer should need.
Apologies for the late response, just completed this years AIB.
To answer the question "why some suppliers said they wouldn't approve you as a supplier if you provided them with everything a customer should need." These were instances where it was their full time job to send out, follow up, and review these customer packets. These were large global companies. They gave me the impression quality managers in positions far above them make the final decision, and not filling in their questionnaire would be, in their view, not providing them with what they need.
In my opinion at least 2 of these companies are used to getting "their way or the highway" because their purchase volume can typically make or break an average manufacturer. And to be fair, if that was the case in our relationship, I would have no problem devoting man hours to filling in their questionnaires. It is, however, not the case.