Customer relationship and contract management for automotive manufacturing. Covers RFQ processing, contract review, customer requirements management, order handling, customer communication, complaint escalation, and satisfaction monitoring per IATF 16949 requirements. USE WHEN user says 'RFQ', 'quotation', 'contract review', 'customer requirements', 'CSR', 'customer complaint', 'customer satisfaction', 'order management', or 'customer communication'. Integrates with QuoteEstimator, Apqpppap, and EightD skills.
| Workflow | Trigger | File |
|---|---|---|
| RfqProcess | "RFQ", "enquiry", "new quote request" | Workflows/RfqProcess.md |
| ContractReview | "contract review", "terms review" | Workflows/ContractReview.md |
| CustomerRequirements | "customer requirements", "CSR" | Workflows/CustomerRequirements.md |
| ComplaintEscalation |
| "customer complaint", "escalate issue" |
Workflows/ComplaintEscalation.md |
This skill addresses key IATF 16949 clauses for commercial operations:
| IATF Clause | Requirement | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| 8.2.1.1 | Customer Communication (supplemental) | Communication protocols |
| 8.2.2.1 | Determination of Requirements (supplemental) | Requirements capture |
| 8.2.3.1.1 | Review of Requirements (supplemental) | Contract review |
| 8.2.3.1.2 | Customer-Designated Special Characteristics | SC identification |
| 8.2.3.1.3 | Organization Manufacturing Feasibility | Feasibility assessment |
| 8.7.1.6 | Customer Notification | Nonconformance notification |
| 9.1.2.1 | Customer Satisfaction (supplemental) | Satisfaction monitoring |
| 10.2.5 | Warranty Management | Warranty analysis |
| 10.2.6 | Customer Complaints & Field Failure | Complaint handling |
Reference: ~/projects/work/docs/compliance/IATF16949_Compliance_Plan.md
Sources of Enquiries:
Registration Requirements:
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Enquiry ID | Unique identifier | ENQ-2026-0042 |
| Customer | Customer name | Jaguar Land Rover |
| Part Description | Brief description | Suspension link bracket |
| Drawing Number | If provided | JLR-12345-A |
| Quantity | Annual volume | 5,000 pcs/year |
| Target Price | Customer target (if stated) | £15.00/part |
| Target SOP | Required start date | Q3 2027 |
| Response Due | Quote deadline | 15-Feb-2026 |
Before quoting, involve all relevant functions:
| Function | Review Focus | Sign-off |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Engineering | Technical feasibility, process capability | ☐ |
| Production | Capacity, equipment availability | ☐ |
| Quality | Quality requirements, special characteristics | ☐ |
| Supply Chain | Material availability, lead times | ☐ |
| Commercial | Pricing, terms, margin | ☐ |
IATF 8.2.3.1.3 Requirement: Manufacturing feasibility must be assessed before commitment.
Feasibility Responses:
| Response | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Feasible | Can meet all requirements | Proceed to quote |
| Conditionally Feasible | Can meet with noted exceptions | Document exceptions, customer agreement required |
| Not Feasible | Cannot meet requirements | Decline or propose alternatives |
Feasibility Checklist:
Quote Components:
For detailed costing, use: load QuoteEstimator skill
Quote Validity: Standard 30 days unless otherwise stated
IATF 8.2.3.1.1 requires review of:
| Category | Review Items | Reviewer |
|---|---|---|
| Technical | Drawings current, tolerances achievable, GD&T understood | Engineering |
| Quality | Cpk targets, special characteristics, PPAP level | Quality |
| Capacity | Volume achievable, equipment available, lead time OK | Production |
| Timing | SOP date realistic, PPAP timeline achievable | PMO |
| Commercial | Price acceptable, payment terms, liability | Commercial |
| Packaging | Pack spec available, customer-specific requirements | Logistics |
| Regulatory | REACH, RoHS, IMDS requirements | Quality |
Standard Terms to Verify:
| Term | MNMUK Position | Risk if Unfavorable |
|---|---|---|
| Payment terms | Net 30-60 preferred | Cash flow impact |
| Liability cap | Limited to order value | Unlimited exposure |
| Warranty period | 12-24 months | Extended liability |
| Tooling ownership | Customer-owned if funded | Asset retention |
| IP/Confidentiality | Reasonable scope | Business restriction |
| Termination | Reasonable notice | Stranded inventory |
| Price adjustments | Annual review clause | Material cost exposure |
| Quality chargebacks | Capped, root cause based | Unreasonable deductions |
IATF 8.2.3.1.2 Requirement: Customer-designated special characteristics must be agreed.
Special Characteristic Types:
| Symbol | Type | Definition | Control Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| CC | Critical | Safety/regulatory impact | Cpk ≥1.67, 100% or SPC |
| SC | Significant | Fit/function impact | Cpk ≥1.33, SPC recommended |
| S | Safety | Safety-related | Enhanced controls |
Agreement Process:
Decision Authority:
| Contract Value | Approval Authority |
|---|---|
| <£10,000 annual | Commercial Manager |
| £10,000 - £50,000 | AGM |
| >£50,000 | General Manager |
| Source | Content | Where Documented |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Drawings | Dimensions, tolerances, GD&T | Drawing register |
| Specifications | Material, performance, test | Spec register |
| Purchase Orders | Quantity, delivery, price | ERP system |
| Quality Agreements | Quality expectations, targets | QA file |
| CSR Documents | Customer-specific requirements | CSR register |
| Industry Standards | ISO, ASTM, SAE requirements | Referenced in specs |
Common CSR Categories:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| APQP/Timing | Phase gate requirements, milestone dates |
| PPAP | Submission level, additional elements |
| Quality Targets | PPM targets, Cpk requirements |
| Labeling | Label format, barcode requirements |
| Packaging | Specific containers, dunnage, quantities |
| Shipping | Carrier requirements, ASN, routing |
| Systems | EDI, portal, supplier scorecards |
| Traceability | Lot traceability, serialization |
| Documentation | Retention periods, format requirements |
Maintain a register of all customer-specific requirements:
# Customer-Specific Requirements Register
**Customer:** [Name]
**Last Updated:** [Date]
| # | Requirement | Source | Responsibility | Compliance Status |
|---|-------------|--------|----------------|-------------------|
| 1 | PPAP Level 3 required | Quality Manual | Quality | Compliant |
| 2 | ASN via EDI 856 | Logistics Manual | Supply Chain | Compliant |
| 3 | 2D barcode on label | Pack Spec | Logistics | Compliant |
| 4 | Cpk ≥1.67 for CC | SQM | Quality | Compliant |
Requirements must flow through the product realization process:
Customer Requirements
↓
Contract Review → Feasibility confirmed
↓
APQP Planning → Requirements in timing plan
↓
PFMEA → Failure modes address requirements
↓
Control Plan → Controls ensure requirements met
↓
Work Instructions → Operators know requirements
↓
Inspection → Verification requirements met
↓
PPAP → Evidence of compliance submitted
Order Channels:
| Check | Verification | Action if Issue |
|---|---|---|
| Part number correct | Match to master data | Query customer |
| Revision current | Match to latest drawing | Clarify before proceed |
| Quantity feasible | Check capacity/inventory | Propose alternative |
| Delivery date achievable | Check lead time | Negotiate if needed |
| Price matches quote | Compare to contract | Resolve before confirm |
| Packaging specified | Check pack spec | Confirm with customer |
| Special requirements | Check for deviations | Document and agree |
Response Time: Within 24 hours
Acknowledgment Content:
| Scenario | Typical Lead Time |
|---|---|
| Stock item | 2-3 days |
| Made to order (materials available) | 1-2 weeks |
| Made to order (materials required) | 3-4 weeks |
| New part (tooling/setup required) | 6-12 weeks |
| Complex/new development | 12-24 weeks |
Change Management:
| Type | Trigger | Responsibility | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proactive | Status updates, scorecards | Commercial | Scheduled |
| Reactive | Customer queries | Commercial | Within 24 hrs |
| Issue Notification | Quality/delivery problem | Quality/Logistics | Immediate |
| PPAP Submission | Part approval required | Quality | Per timing |
IATF 8.7.1.6 - Nonconformance Notification:
Customers must be notified when:
Notification Content:
Quality Issue Notification:
Subject: Quality Notification - [Part Number] - [Brief Description]
Dear [Customer Contact],
We are writing to inform you of a quality issue affecting [Part Number].
**Issue Summary:**
- Part Number: [P/N]
- Description: [Issue description]
- Quantity Potentially Affected: [Qty]
- Shipment Dates: [Date range]
**Containment Actions:**
- [Action 1]
- [Action 2]
**Next Steps:**
- [Investigation timeline]
- [Expected resolution]
We apologize for any inconvenience and will provide updates as our investigation progresses.
Please contact [Name] at [Phone/Email] with any questions.
Regards,
[Name]
Quality Manager
Multimatic Niche Manufacturing UK
| Indicator | Metric | Target | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivered Part Quality | Customer PPM | <50 PPM | Monthly |
| Customer Disruptions | Line stops, holds | 0 | Per event |
| Delivery Performance | On-Time Delivery | >98% | Weekly |
| Premium Freight | Incidents | 0 | Monthly |
| Customer Complaints | Count | Reducing trend | Monthly |
| Customer Scorecard | Rating | Green/Preferred | Quarterly |
Monthly Actions:
Scorecard Response:
| Rating | Status | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Green/Preferred | Meeting expectations | Maintain performance |
| Yellow/Conditional | Marginal performance | Improvement plan |
| Red/New Business Hold | Poor performance | Immediate escalation |
| Channel | Type | Response Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Customer portal | Formal | Per portal SLA |
| Email complaint | Semi-formal | 24-hour acknowledgment |
| Phone call | Informal | Document and follow up |
| Site visit feedback | Formal | Action log required |
| Survey response | Formal | Management review |
| Type | Ownership | Process |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Complaint | Commercial (escalation owner) | This skill |
| Technical Investigation | Quality (8D owner) | EightD skill |
Commercial manages the customer relationship; Quality manages the technical investigation.
Step 1: Receipt and Acknowledgment
Step 2: Initial Assessment
Step 3: Customer Communication Plan
| Severity | Update Frequency | Escalation Level |
|---|---|---|
| Critical | Daily | GM + Customer leadership |
| Major | Every 2-3 days | Commercial Manager |
| Minor | Weekly | Commercial team |
Step 4: Resolution Tracking
Step 5: Closure
| Metric | Calculation | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Response Time | Time to acknowledge | <4 hours |
| Resolution Time | Time to close | <30 days (standard) |
| Repeat Complaints | Same issue recurrence | 0 |
| Customer Satisfaction | Closure rating | ≥4/5 |
When warranty returns occur:
IATF Requirement: Analyze warranty returns even when no defect found.
| NTF Category | Possible Cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Application error | Customer installation | Improve installation instructions |
| Misdiagnosis | Field diagnosis error | Training for service techs |
| Intermittent | Condition-dependent failure | Enhanced testing |
| Specification gap | Works but doesn't meet expectation | Specification review |
For technical costing during RFQ:
Load: read ~/.claude/skills/Quoteestimator/SKILL.md
For program management post-award:
Load: read ~/.claude/skills/Apqpppap/SKILL.md
For technical problem solving on complaints:
Load: read ~/.claude/skills/Eightd/SKILL.md
For supplier-related customer issues:
Load: read ~/.claude/skills/Supplychain/SKILL.md
| Document | Purpose | Location |
|---|---|---|
| PMOP-004 | Customer Requirements Management | QMS |
| SCP-007 | Customer Order Management | QMS |
| QP-008 | Customer Complaints (8D) | QMS |
| F-COM-001 | Customer Enquiry Log | Forms |
| F-COM-002 | Quotation Template | Forms |
| F-COM-003 | Contract Review Checklist | Forms |
| F-COM-004 | CSR Register | Forms |
Example 1: Process new RFQ
User: "We received an RFQ from JLR for a suspension bracket"
→ Loads RfqProcess workflow
→ Walks through registration, feasibility, quotation
→ Generates quote package
Example 2: Contract review
User: "Review the contract terms for the new BMW order"
→ Loads ContractReview workflow
→ Checks technical, quality, commercial requirements
→ Identifies risks and required clarifications
Example 3: Customer complaint
User: "Customer complaint from Ford about dimensional issue"
→ Loads ComplaintEscalation workflow
→ Registers complaint, classifies severity
→ Links to 8D for technical investigation
→ Sets up communication cadence
Example 4: CSR management
User: "What are JLR's customer-specific requirements?"
→ Loads CustomerRequirements workflow
→ Returns CSR register for JLR
→ Highlights any compliance gaps
For detailed guidance:
read ~/.claude/skills/Commercialsales/CLAUDE.md
For templates:
ls ~/.claude/skills/Commercialsales/templates/
For contract review checklist:
read ~/.claude/skills/Commercialsales/reference/contract-review.md
For customer portal guides:
read ~/.claude/skills/Commercialsales/reference/customer-portals.md