SUPPLIER PERFORMANCE EVALUATION & VENDOR AUDITING

Course Introduction

Effective supplier performance evaluation and vendor auditing are critical components of robust procurement and supply chain management. This course provides a structured framework for assessing vendor capabilities, ensuring compliance, managing risk, and driving supplier excellence.

Seattle International Institute offers this specialized training to equip procurement professionals, auditors, and supply chain managers with the skills to develop evaluation metrics, conduct audits, detect non-conformities, and build long-term, high-value relationships with strategic suppliers. The course combines real-world scenarios, international standards, and practical auditing tools.

Course Objectives

• Develop and apply key performance indicators (KPIs) for suppliers
• Understand supplier segmentation and risk classification
• Plan and execute vendor audits based on international best practices
• Identify gaps, non-compliance, and improvement opportunities
• Strengthen communication and corrective action processes
• Enhance supply chain quality, sustainability, and resilience

Target Audience

This course is designed for professionals involved in supplier management and quality assurance, including:

• Procurement and supply chain managers
• Vendor management and contract officers
• Quality auditors and compliance specialists
• Technical and operational staff involved in supplier evaluation
• Risk and performance analysts
• Teams responsible for supplier onboarding or ongoing assessment

Course Topics

Day 1 – Supplier Performance Management Foundations

• Importance of supplier performance in the supply chain
• Supplier segmentation models and risk profiles
• Key elements of a supplier evaluation framework
• Overview of ISO standards relevant to supplier management
• Case study: Failed supplier performance and organizational impact

Day 2 – KPIs and Measurement Techniques

• Establishing qualitative and quantitative KPIs
• Service-level agreements (SLAs) and performance targets
• Delivery, quality, cost, innovation, and responsiveness metrics
• Scoring models and performance dashboards
• Workshop: Building a supplier scorecard

Day 3 – Planning and Conducting Vendor Audits

• Objectives and types of supplier audits (desk, site, compliance)
• Audit planning, preparation, and team composition
• On-site visit protocol and audit checklist design
• Interviewing vendor staff and reviewing documentation
• Simulation: Mock vendor audit scenario

Day 4 – Reporting, Non-Conformance, and Follow-Up

• Writing clear audit reports and findings
• Classifying non-conformities and evaluating severity
• Root cause analysis and corrective action plans (CAPA)
• Supplier feedback and escalation process
• Interactive session: Reviewing sample audit reports

Day 5 – Strategic Supplier Development & Wrap-Up

• Supplier relationship management (SRM) techniques
• Continuous improvement programs for vendors
• Building trust and long-term value creation
• Performance review meetings and supplier score reviews
• Final project: Drafting a comprehensive supplier audit and evaluation plan