Supplier qualification scorecard for India sourcing.
A factory can look capable in a video call and fail on the first batch. This scorecard makes the qualification decision explicit: what to check, what evidence to ask for and which findings stop the approval regardless of the total score.
How to use it
Score each criterion from 1 to 5, multiply by its weight and add the result. Treat the stops as gates, not points. A supplier with no calibration record cannot be rescued by a good price.
Use the same scorecard for every supplier in the category. That is what makes the comparison useful, and it gives you a record of why a factory was approved.
The five-stop rule
- Quality system does not cover the site or the process.
- Critical dimensions cannot be measured to the drawing tolerance.
- No material lot traceability.
- No capacity headroom for the peak volume.
- No NDA, or no RoHS/REACH data where the market requires it.
The scorecard
Capability
Weight 13Process match
The supplier runs the process your part needs and has made comparable parts.
Evidence: Process list and two comparable samples.
Tooling and equipment
Equipment size and condition suit the part and the volume.
Evidence: Machine list with tonnage or travel, and photos.
Engineering support
They can read the drawing and raise DFM points before quoting.
Evidence: A DFM note on your drawing.
Quality
Weight 22Quality system
ISO 9001 as a minimum; automotive or aerospace certification where required.
Evidence: Certificate with scope and expiry.
Calibration
Instruments are calibrated with traceability.
Evidence: Calibration register and certificates.
Inspection capability
Critical dimensions can be measured in-house or by an approved lab.
Evidence: Gauge list and a sample inspection report.
Traceability
Material lot and heat number link to the batch.
Evidence: A sample batch record with lot traceability.
First article and PPAP
They can produce FAI and the PPAP level your programme needs.
Evidence: A sample FAI or PPAP.
Capacity
Weight 13Capacity headroom
Spare capacity exists for your peak volume.
Evidence: A capacity statement by machine and shift.
Lead time
The quoted lead time is supported by the route and material.
Evidence: Lead time broken down by operation.
Recovery
They can recover from a machine breakdown.
Evidence: A backup machine or shift plan.
Commercial
Weight 10Quotation format
Unit price, tooling, packing, freight and metal basis are separate.
Evidence: A sample quotation with the cost lines.
Payment and currency
Terms and currency are stated clearly.
Evidence: Draft agreement or terms.
Incoterm and export
They can ship to your Incoterm with export documents.
Evidence: Sample export documents.
Compliance
Weight 11RoHS and REACH
They can provide declarations with traceability.
Evidence: Sample declaration and material list.
Conflict minerals
CMRT is available where tin, tungsten, tantalum or gold are used.
Evidence: CMRT or supplier declarations.
Labour
Policy and site evidence are available.
Evidence: Policy and audit summary.
Governance
Weight 13NDA and non-bypass
They will sign an NDA and respect the commercial route.
Evidence: Signed NDA and non-bypass agreement.
Change control
They notify material, process or sub-supplier changes.
Evidence: The change control procedure.
Corrective action
They have containment and root cause processes.
Evidence: A sample 8D or corrective action.
Questions buyers ask
What score should a supplier reach before approval?+
A supplier should not be approved on total score alone. Any zero on quality system, traceability, capacity headroom, NDA or RoHS is a stop, even if the total is high. Review the stops first, then the weighted score.
Should the scorecard be completed remotely?+
It can start remotely, but the evidence should be verified on site for a new programme. Machine lists, calibration records and capacity statements are easy to overstate on a video call.
Does a high score replace a sample?+
No. The scorecard says whether a supplier is worth sampling. The sample and the first article report prove the part. Keep the scorecard as the qualification record and the sample as the approval record.
The scorecard is a qualification aid, not a substitute for a sample, a first article report or your own quality agreement.