Study on a model of lean supplier management based on the lean production

Lean production needs lean supply that puts forward much stricter requirements on suppliers. The nucleus of a lean supply is lean supplier management. In this paper, we present a model of lean supplier management between an OEM and its suppliers for the objectives of eliminating wastes, reducing cost and improvement continuously based on the lean production. This model includes supplier selection and categorization, supplier improvement, supplier certification and supplier evaluation. First, the supplier selection process and some basic principals about selection criteria are developed, and all suppliers will be categorized so that different management measures can be used effectively. Then, we design the Supplier Quality Assessment process that focus on a comprehensive, continuous improvement of supplier's quality system and processes utilizing benchmarked and time-proven techniques. Finally, the index system of performance evaluation on lean suppliers is given in order to understand what performances a supplier has achieved over the past period, to identify chances that a supplier will be improved, and to provide evidences for re-certification of suppliers during next period.