Supplier quality assurance – foundation, live online tutor-led training course

Delegates will be introduced to the SQA mechanisms available to meet recognised requirements and establish a reliable supplier base.

Delegates will acquire knowledge and skills of audit regimes and protocols relevant to supplier assurance. The practical problems associated with supplier assurance will be discussed and relevant solutions proposed. Guidance on the production of relevant documentation will be given. An introduction will be given to the emerging subject of TACCP, detailing how organisations can and must protect themselves from threats of contamination, adulteration and fraud.

Materials and services must be obtained in an efficient economic manner. They may represent up to 40% of operating costs. Disruption to material and service supply is costly. This course enables delegates to develop and administer supplier quality assurance and supplier audit regimes suitable for the company.

Aimed at those working in Purchasing, Compliance Teams and Technical Managers.

The course will be delivered live online over the course of a day (0900 - 1700 hours), participants will be sent log in details for a Microsoft Teams session.

Supplier quality assurance (SQA)

• SQA implementation
• Introduction to SQA
• TACCP - Threat Assessment and Critical Control Point
• Specifications
• Supplier ratings systems

Supplier auditing

• The purpose of supplier auditing
• Audit principles and techniques - scope and criteria; planning and preparation; checklists; opening meetings; non-compliance notes; closing meetings
• Supplier audit reports and corrective actions

Case studies will be used to illustrate typical food and drink industry situations.

Learning outcomes

• The importance of understanding your supply chain
• Recognise the difference between supplier selection, approval and monitoring
• Tools and techniques to ensure supplier quality assurance is achieved