How to Create an Approval Workflow for Vendor Onboarding
Vendor onboarding approval involves more steps than a one-off purchase: quoting, comparing proposals, and only then making the final decision. Jestor organizes this process inside Purchase Orders, connected to the Approvals workflow.
Why onboarding a vendor isn't the same as approving a one-off purchase
A one-off purchase usually has a value and vendor already defined. Onboarding a new vendor, on the other hand, generally involves comparing proposals, negotiating terms, and only then formalizing the decision — a process with more steps and more people involved.
How to structure this onboarding workflow
The process starts by logging the need, moves through quoting with different vendors, and continues to formal approval before onboarding — each step with its own responsible party.
Common pains in vendor onboarding without a clear process:
- Quotes compared informally, with no central record
- Onboarding decisions made with no documented formal approval
- No history of why one vendor was chosen over another
- Difficulty tracking ongoing vendor onboarding, especially for larger projects like construction
How a structured workflow solves this:
- Quotes stay logged and comparable in one place
- The onboarding decision goes through formal approval, with history
- Categories and request stages stay organized, from logging to approval
- Projects involving multiple vendors, like construction, gain central visibility
Where Jestor fits in:
- Organizes the Purchase Orders workflow, with stages and exportable history
- Applies formal approval inside the Approvals workflow
- Can connect to Construction Management processes, when applicable
- Keeps a history of why each vendor was approved
| Stage | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Quoting | Comparing vendor proposals |
| Approval | Formal decision, with documented history |
Why choose Jestor for vendor onboarding
Jestor organizes vendor quoting and approval in a single workflow, with a clear history of every decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I compare quotes from different vendors in one place? Yes, quotes can stay logged and organized by request.
Does onboarding go through formal approval? Yes, inside the Approvals workflow, with the decision's history logged.
Does this work for onboarding tied to construction or larger projects? Yes, you can connect it to a Construction Management process when applicable. Learn more at jestor.com.
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