Training Module
Supplier Management
Manage suppliers and outsourced processes across requirements, selection, onboarding, oversight, change and exit
Overview
Suppliers and outsourced processes sit inside the operational reality of most management systems, even when the work is performed outside the organisation. Control often weakens after approval: requirements are generic, internal ownership is unclear, supplier-operated controls are hard to evidence, and change or exit is handled too late.
This module develops the practical judgement needed to manage external provision across the full lifecycle. Participants work through the evolving Northstar case and practise defining requirements, classifying supplier criticality, selecting proportionate due diligence, designing onboarding and interface controls, monitoring supplier signals, triggering re-evaluation and planning controlled offboarding.
Applicable environments
This module is applicable across a wide range of management systems and organisational contexts. The concepts are not tied to a specific ISO standard and are used wherever organisations need clear, workable processes, defined ownership, and embedded controls.
It is commonly applied in quality, information security, environmental, and other ISO-based management systems, as well as in non-certified environments that require structured, auditable operations.
Target audience
Management system implementers and coordinators
Executives and department heads accountable for management system performance
Those responsible for processes, policies, assets, risks, and controls related to a management system
Auditors seeking insights into management-side best practice (not audit technique)
Management consultants working with management system design, governance, or improvement
Decision support
Is this module for you?
Agenda
External provision and lifecycle control
Requirements, boundaries and retained responsibility
Supplier criticality, selection and control depth
Due diligence, onboarding and working interfaces
Ongoing oversight, evidence and supplier signals
Change, re-evaluation, escalation and exit
Show detailed agenda...
Learning outcomes
Key outcomes
Design a supplier lifecycle covering requirements, selection, due diligence, onboarding, oversight, re-evaluation and exit
Use supplier criticality, dependency, assurance pressure and evidence confidence to calibrate control depth
Define supplier interfaces, monitoring routines, evidence expectations and escalation triggers that work in practice
Additional capabilities
Build due diligence and onboarding evidence requests that are proportionate and decision-relevant
Recognise supplier-operated controls, low-transparency suppliers and outsourced process responsibilities
Use incidents, performance trends, customer questions and change notices as review triggers
Plan controlled offboarding covering access removal, data return or deletion, continuity, knowledge transfer and retained records
Use AI-assisted evidence review to surface critical points without replacing accountable judgement
Materials
Learning materials
Slide deck
Participant workbook
Templates & tools
Practical, reusable artefacts to apply the module directly to your organisation.
Supplier lifecycle control worksheet
Boundary, ownership and interface worksheet
Criticality and control-depth matrix
Due diligence evidence request checklist
Monitoring and evidence log template
Change, re-evaluation and exit checklist
AI prompts and safeguards for supplier evidence review
Confirmation
Certificate of completion
Module ID
HAM-AG-C-12
Discipline
ISO standard
Standard clause
8: Operation
Domains
Target audience
Public delivery
Live virtual
Duration
10 h
List price
CHF 900
Excl. VAT. VAT may apply depending on customer location and status.
Delivery
Live virtual delivery
This module is delivered live online and combines conceptual framing, discussion, case work and direct interaction with the instructor.
A public cohort is currently not scheduled. If you register your interest, we will notify you when a new public cohort is scheduled or suitable delivery options become available.
Custom delivery options
For organisations with specific constraints or learning objectives, the module can be adapted in format or scope, including in-house delivery and contextualised case material.
For an optimal learning experience
Prerequisites & preparation
This module is designed as part of a modular training approach. Topics are deliberately distributed across modules and are not repeated in full, in order to avoid unnecessary redundancy. Each module is self-contained and can be taken on its own. Where prior knowledge or experience is helpful, this is indicated below so you can decide whether any preparation is useful for you.
Assumed background
No formal prerequisites. The module is designed to work as a stand-alone supplier-management entry point for management-system practitioners.
Helpful background includes general familiarity with suppliers, outsourced work, operational responsibilities or management-system concepts. Key ideas from risk management, governance, operational control, monitoring and documentation are refreshed at the level needed for supplier decisions.
Preparatory modules
Supporting modules (optional)
Helpful if you want to deepen related skills, but not required to participate effectively.
