Supplier Agreements - Authority to Sign/Approve

Rambo said:

Thanks to all for the replies. It's been my approach to specifically draw out (assign and communicate) authorities and responsibilities, if not in a separate document, in a prominent section of the Quality Manual. My purpose is to build ownership among the other functional leaders (the QMS is not totally owned by the QM, essentially).

After further discussions, I find that there is a Product Services Specialist at our organization that reviews and signs, with input from other functions. I will include him on my Authorities/Responsibilities matrix-- pointing out that the role must coordinate with other functional leadership.

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Your question was not only about your QMS, it's also about agreements with other organizations. While I must agree with our senior professionals on QMS/ISO interpretations, I wanted to add that an agreement may not be valid if the approver/signer is not duly authorized. No organization maintains QMS separately from other functions such as Legal or Regulatory Affairs. So, practically, which role (not person) is authorized/responsible for approving these agreements is usually clearly defined. At least it's true for all of my employers. I don't see "handcuff your wrists to your ankles". On the contrary, it helps to minimize possible unauthorized approvals and litigations.

Rambo said:

the role must coordinate with other functional leadership.

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The role has to coordinate with whoever has the authority to commit money and actually sign a check. Titles and positions are worthless without real authority behind them. Example - Somewhere in a forgotten box I have a document signed by Gov David Pryor appointing me as an Admiral in the Arkansas Navy..........True value? Less than the electrons in this post, but funny.