Non-Inventory Items: A Quick Guide for Manufacturers
Every warehouse team knows the frustration: a missing adhesive, a forgotten service order, or tools that somehow don’t get billed to the job. Non-inventory items matter—here’s how to manage them without the headaches.
Common Non-Inventory Items in Manufacturing
Not everything you buy needs to be tracked in on-hand inventory. Common non-inventory items include subcontracted heat treating, safety gear, cutting fluids, packaging supplies, and specialty tools. These items don’t sit on shelves long or are not typically stocked in bulk, but they still affect production costs and job execution.
The Risks of Ignoring Non-Inventory Items
Untracked non-inventory items can cause serious problems. Costs can go unassigned, production may be delayed by missing supplies, and your cost-of-goods-sold (COGS) can get distorted. Even small oversights add up, especially when services or tools are billed outside the ERP.
Managing Non-Inventory Items with Cetec ERP
Cetec ERP provides tools to track these purchases cleanly and without cluttering your inventory system. You can tag parts as non-inventory, link them to specific jobs or cost centers, and include them in financial reporting. The items are excluded from stock counts, but still contribute to costing, purchasing history, and audit trails.
Best Practices for Warehouse & Procurement Teams
Keep non-inventory item management clear and consistent:
- Create unique part codes for non-inventory items with clear naming conventions.
- Use templates for commonly purchased services or consumables.
- Review non-inventory spend reports regularly to control costs.
Smart manufacturers don’t ignore what’s not on the shelf. Tracking non-inventory items ensures better planning, cleaner financials, and fewer surprises during audits or production.
Key Takeaways:
- Non-inventory tracking supports accurate cost reporting and smoother purchasing.
- ERP-based workflows help avoid production slowdowns.
- Best practices improve clarity and reduce error-prone manual tracking.
Want to close the gap on unmanaged materials and services? See how Cetec ERP gives your warehouse and purchasing teams total control over non-inventory items—schedule a walkthrough today.