# Add a vendor

Create a vendor record with contact details so it can be selected on purchase and service orders.

Source: https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/purchasing/guides/add-vendor/
Updated: 2026-10-29

**Prerequisites:** The vendor's invoicing currency exists if it differs from your base currency — see [Configure currencies](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/admin/guides/configure-currencies/).

**Required permission:** Purchase → Vendors — User or above; Inventory → Items — User or above to set the vendor on an item. Admins can edit any vendor or item; Managers and Users only the ones they created.

## Create a vendor

1. In the sidebar, click **Purchase → Vendors** → **+ Create**.
1. Enter the **Name** and a short **Designation** (a unique code for this vendor, up to 32 characters).
1. Set the **Lead Time** in days — how long this vendor typically takes to deliver. A new vendor starts at 7 days.
1. Select the **Currency** this vendor invoices in. Purchase orders to this vendor default to it.
1. On the **Address** tab, enter the vendor's country, city, and address lines.
1. On the **Contact** tab, enter **Phone**, **Email**, **Website**, and the **Language** used on documents sent to this vendor.
1. Optionally, on the **Terms** tab, record **Payment Term**, **Delivery Term**, and a **Shipping Note**.
1. Click **Create**.

## Set a vendor as the default on an item

1. Open the **Item** and click **Edit**.
1. On the **Purchase** tab, set **Vendor** to this vendor, and enter the **Order Code**, **Purchase Price**, and **Lead Time** this vendor quoted for this item.
1. Click **Update**.

The Inventory Scheduler uses this default vendor, order code, and price when it drafts a purchase order for the item automatically — see [Set up automatic replenishment](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/purchasing/guides/set-up-automatic-replenishment/).