Lead-Time-Based Material Reorder System
A done-for-you manufacturing automation built for the Procurement Manager, connecting QuickBooks, Slack, and Google Sheets so the work below happens on its own.
What this automation does, step by step
As raw materials are consumed on the production floor and logged against each work order in the inventory system, this automation tracks usage rate against a reorder point calculated specifically for each supplier's actual lead time rather than a flat number that treats a 3-day vendor the same as a 6-week vendor.
When projected consumption shows a material running out before the next scheduled delivery, a purchase order draft is generated automatically with the supplier's standard quantities and pricing pre-filled, and the procurement manager only needs to review and approve it.
Materials tied to suppliers with historically unreliable lead times get an extra buffer built into their trigger point automatically.
What used to be a Friday-afternoon spreadsheet review is now a live system that flags shortages 2 to 3 weeks out instead of the week production runs dry.
- Epicor or Fishbowl
- Zapier or Make.com
- Google Sheets
- Slack
- QuickBooks or NetSuite
Using different software? We build around what you already have, so you never have to switch tools to automate.
The manual way vs. the automated way
Without automation
Done manually, a procurement manager has to remember to follow up on every case individually, often relying on memory, phone calls, and whatever notes didn't get lost. None of it is difficult, it's just slow, repetitive, and easy to fall behind on.
With this automation
- Low-stock and reorder alerts before you run out
- Vendor and subcontractor confirmations that chase themselves
- Preventive maintenance scheduled by usage or date
- Work orders and project milestones that update stakeholders
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