Supplier change is the controlled addition, removal, or replacement of a supplier used to provide a part, material, service, or outsourced manufacturing process. In manufacturing operations, it commonly refers to changing an approved source, production site, subcontractor, or material source in a way that may affect purchasing, quality, traceability, or production planning.
A supplier change is usually managed through procurement, quality, engineering, and supply chain workflows. It may require updates to approved supplier lists, ERP purchasing records, MES or routing data, inspection plans, certificates, receiving controls, and traceability records. Examples include moving a special process to a different subcontractor, qualifying a second source for a purchased component, or replacing a raw material supplier.
A supplier change should not be confused with an engineering change. An engineering change alters product design, specifications, or manufacturing requirements. A supplier change may leave the design unchanged, but it can still require review if the new source affects material conformity, process capability, documentation, or customer-specific requirements.