Supplier Job Work Process Flow
In addition to the standard in-house manufacturing flow, the MES supports a Supplier Job Work Process for operations that are outsourced to external suppliers.
For example, Operation 30 may be performed in the machine shop, while Operation 40 is outsourced to an external supplier such as ABC Supplier. The semi-finished part leaves the shop, is processed outside, and returns to continue its routing — under full traceability.
Process flow
Steps
| # | Step | Where | Document / Screen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Operation 30 completed | Machine shop (in-house) | — |
| 2 | Dispatch to supplier | Out to supplier | Supplier Job Work Out DC |
| 3 | Supplier processing | External supplier (e.g. ABC Supplier) | Operation 40 performed outside |
| 4 | Receive returned material | Back in-house | Supplier Job Work In DC |
| 5 | Outsource Inspection | Quality team | Outsource Inspection (not GRN Inspection) |
| 6 | Continue routing | Machine shop | Operation 50 → … → Final Inspection |
How it differs from raw-material receipt
Unlike raw-material receipts, returned job-work material does not go through a GRN Inspection. Instead it follows an Outsource Inspection process, where the quality team verifies the outsourced operation and confirms the material meets the required specifications. Only after the Outsource Inspection is approved can the material proceed to the next operation within the machine shop.
On receipt via the Supplier Job Work In DC, the inward transaction should appear on the Notification Screen for quality review, the same way other inward entries do. This is currently identified as a gap in the MES and needs to be added to the workflow so outsourced returns surface for inspection like every other inward.
What this process ensures
- Full visibility of materials sent to and received from suppliers.
- Traceability of outsourced operations alongside in-house ones.
- Quality validation (Outsource Inspection) before material re-enters the production flow.
- Controlled progression to subsequent manufacturing operations per the defined routing.