Product Sourcing Workflow
Step 1, Understand the Request
Collect:
- Product
- Quantity
- Budget
- Branding
- Color
- Size
- Deadline
- Shipping destination
Step 2, Search Suppliers
Check appropriate supplier websites and catalogs.
Look for:
- Exact product
- Comparable alternatives
- Inventory
- Pricing
- Decoration options
- Production time
- Minimum quantity
Step 3, Verify Availability
🚫 Do not rely only on a general “in stock” indicator.
Check:
- Exact SKU
- Color
- Size
- Quantity available
- Warehouse/location where relevant
- Incoming inventory
- Estimated availability date
Step 4, Verify Production
Check:
- Standard production time
- Rush production availability
- Decoration method
- Setup requirements
- Proof timing
Step 5, Verify Shipping
Consider:
- Ship-from location
- Destination
- Shipping method
- Transit time
- Delivery date
- Additional shipping charges
Step 6, Compare Alternatives
If the original product does not work, look for alternatives based on:
- Similar Look + Similar Price + Similar Quality + Available Inventory + Suitable Lead Time
Supplier Inventory Check
Inventory should be checked at the SKU/variant level, not just the product level.
Example
A supplier may show:
Product: Polo Shirt – Available
But the actual breakdown could be:
- Black / Small – 10
- Black / Medium – 25
- Black / Large – 8
- Black / XL – 0
- Navy / Small – 50
- Navy / Medium – 100
If the client needs 75 pieces in specific sizes, the overall product availability does not necessarily mean the order can be fulfilled.
Always Verify
- Product + Color + Size + Quantity + Location + Date