Cookware Supplier Evaluation Scorecard

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Use this scorecard to compare cookware suppliers after receiving catalogs, quotations, samples, factory information, and compliance documents. Adjust the weighting to match your project risk and business model.

[!TIP] Download Editable Excel Template: You can download a professionally styled and formula-enabled Excel spreadsheet version of this scorecard to automate your supplier calculations: 📥 Download Supplier Evaluation Scorecard (.xlsx)

Scoring suggestion:

5 = Strong fit, clear evidence / certification provided
4 = Good fit, minor clarifications needed
3 = Acceptable, but requires close follow-up and monitoring
2 = Weak fit, limited capabilities or documentation
1 = High risk, poor fit
0 = Not provided or not applicable

Supplier Profile

Field	Details
Supplier Name	`[e.g., Jiangmen Goldensea Housewares Limited]`
Trading Company or Direct Manufacturer?	`[e.g., Direct Manufacturer]`
Factory Location	`[e.g., Jiangmen, Guangdong, China]`
Main Product Categories	`[e.g., Tri-ply Stainless Steel Cookware]`
Key Customers / Target Markets	`[e.g., European retail brands / North American importers]`
Social / Quality Audits Held	`[e.g., BSCI (Grade B) / ISO 9001 / SMETA]`
Review Date	`[e.g., June 17, 2026]`
Reviewer Name	`[e.g., John Smith (Lead Buyer)]`

Scorecard Overview

Sourcing Criteria	Weight	Score (0-5)	Weighted Score	Key Strengths / Risks / Evidence
1. Material & Cladding Capability	15%	`[0-5]`	`[e.g., 0.60]`	`[e.g., Strong tri-ply line, SS316 interior available]`
2. Factory Quality Audits (ISO 9001)	10%	`[0-5]`	`[e.g., 0.40]`	`[e.g., Valid ISO 9001 certificate, calibration logs verified]`
3. Social Compliance (BSCI/SMETA)	10%	`[0-5]`	`[e.g., 0.40]`	`[e.g., BSCI Grade B, fire exits clear, PPE worn]`
4. Raw Material Traceability (MTC)	10%	`[0-5]`	`[e.g., 0.50]`	`[e.g., Full MTC records per coil, chem analysis matches 304]`
5. Multi-Stage QC Process (IQC/IPQC/FQC)	15%	`[0-5]`	`[e.g., 0.60]`	`[e.g., Independent IQC/FQC team, lab testing equipment on site]`
6. Sample Quality & Dimensional Accuracy	15%	`[0-5]`	`[e.g., 0.75]`	`[e.g., Sample passed thermal shock & flatness checks]`
7. B2B Commercial & Tooling Terms	10%	`[0-5]`	`[e.g., 0.40]`	`[e.g., MOQ 500 sets accepted, mold fee refunded at 5k units]`
8. Communication & Project Management	15%	`[0-5]`	`[e.g., 0.60]`	`[e.g., Fast responses from sales, CAD drawings provided]`
Total	100%		`[e.g., 4.25] / 5.00`

Detailed Vetting Checkpoints

1. Material and Cladding Capability (15%)

Check whether the factory has the engineering competence to manufacture advanced multi-ply clad vessels.

Can supply custom clad layer configurations (e.g., SS304 + Alu + SS430 or 5-Ply).
Can provide exact thickness tolerances ($\pm 0.1\text{ mm}$) and product net weight sheets.
Can perform sealed/rolled edge (closed rim) processing to protect the aluminum core.
Offers induction compatibility (SS430 outer clad) with verified magnetic testing.
Can explain how thickness and aluminum core variations affect heat distribution and cost.

2. Factory Quality Audits - ISO 9001 (10%)

Evaluate the factory’s Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure consistency across mass production runs.

Possesses a valid ISO 9001:2015 certificate from an accredited registrar.
Has clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for stamping, welding, polishing, and packing.
Has a documented procedure for controlling “non-conforming products” (rejection area and scrap records).
Maintains calibration logs and calibration stickers on all measurement tools (thickness gauges, scales).
Implements Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) when defect trends are detected.

Ensure the manufacturer complies with labor laws, health & safety requirements, and ethical standards.

Possesses a valid amfori BSCI audit report (Grade A, B, or C) or Sedex SMETA 4-pillar audit report.
Occupational Health & Safety (OHS): Fire exits are unblocked, fire extinguishers are maintained, and PPE is worn by workers.
Verified fair remuneration, legal overtime hours, and formal labor contracts for all employees.
Zero tolerance compliance: No child labor, forced labor, or severe safety hazards on site.

4. Raw Material Traceability & MTC (10%)

Prevent metallurgical substitution (e.g., replacing SUS304 with cheaper, low-nickel alloys during mass production).

Supplier provides official Mill Test Certificates (MTC) for each steel coil batch.
Chemistry check: MTC confirms $\ge 16\%$ Chromium and $\ge 8\%$ Nickel (for SS304/18-10).
The factory has a batch traceability system connecting raw metal coils to finished cookware boxes.
Willing to allow raw material chemical verification (e.g., handheld XRF spectrometer check) by third-party QC.

5. Multi-Stage QC Process - IQC / IPQC / FQC (15%)

Verify that the factory does not rely solely on pre-shipment inspections, but inspects quality at every stage.

Incoming Quality Control (IQC): Inspects raw steel coils, aluminum disks, handles, rivets, and glass lids before production.
In-Process Quality Control (IPQC): Checks body stamping, handle welding/riveting, and polishing lines during production.
Final Quality Control (FQC): Conducts $100\%$ visual checks for polishing residue, sharp burrs, and packing defects.
On-site Laboratory Testing: Factory possesses testing equipment for thermal shock, handle pull-testing, salt spray corrosion, and dishwasher simulation.

6. Sample Quality & Engineering Checks (15%)

Assess the physical quality of first samples using our test protocols.

Flatness test: Cold and hot states show zero rocking or spinning (concavity within $0.1\% - 0.5\%$).
Thermal Shock test: Passes 5 cycles of heating to 200°C and plunging into cold water with zero delamination.
Polishing test: Alcohol wipe test shows zero black polishing grease/wax residue.
Handle strength: Secure attachment, comfortable grip, and zero rivet/weld loosening under load.
Lid fit: Snug closure with lateral clearance $< 1.5\text{ mm}$.

8. B2B Commercial & Tooling Terms (10%)

Check the supplier’s commercial terms for alignment with B2B buying policies.

Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) is reasonable or negotiable for test orders (e.g., 500 sets).
Payment terms align with standard practices (30% deposit, 70% after QC pass).
Tooling fees are transparent, and a clear mold fee refund threshold is written into the agreement.
Pricing is competitive and details packaging, sample fees, and shipping terms (FOB).

9. Communication and Project Management (15%)

Verify the team’s response speed, technical knowledge, and willingness to cooperate.

Sales team responds directly to technical RFQ questions instead of sending general catalogs.
Technical team flags missing drawing details or potential manufacturing challenges early.
Transparency: Factory allows third-party QC inspectors full access to production lines.
Language proficiency: Sales team communicates technical specs clearly in English (and/or target languages).

Sourcing Decision Summary

[ ] Approved (Primary Supplier): Score $\ge 4.2$, meets all QMS, social compliance, and technical specs.
[ ] Approved (Backup Supplier): Score $3.5 - 4.1$, acceptable quality but requires closer monitoring.
[ ] Hold / Re-evaluate: Requires corrective action plan (CAPA) or revised samples.
[ ] Rejected: Score $< 3.5$, or failed critical social/safety compliance.

Reviewer Notes: ______________________________ ____________________________________