☛ Do you practice vendor managed inventory – where the vendor is responsible for monitoring the inventory levels? How is the demand for inventory communicated to vendors?

☛ How are inventory needs communicated to the procurement department?

☛ Which department is responsible for monitoring material lead times, machine capacity, etc.?

☛ What is the process followed to place orders with vendors?

☛ What documentation and approvals are required?

☛ Are there system or process controls in place that would prevent the placement of an unauthorized purchase order?

☛ Has an authorization matrix been established to determine the level of management authorization that is required to place the order? Please provide a copy.

☛ How is the procurement department notified when inventory levels sink below threshold levels?

☛ Have threshold levels been established?

☛ How are inventory needs communicated to suppliers? (E-procurement, fax, phone, EDI, mail, system-automated)

☛ How is the purchasing process expedited (e.g. use of long term contracts, blanket purchase orders, etc.)?

☛ Who monitors open POs?

☛ Does anyone monitor purchasing activities?

☛ Indicate the number of suppliers that contribute 80% of total purchases.

☛ Office supplies & MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) supplies

☛ Does anyone have procurement cards? Who?

☛ What are the authorized spending limits?

☛ Who orders office supplies and MRO supplies?

☛ Who approves the requisitions?

☛ Centralized purchasing?