MatBirch
Well-known member
I hope some of you guys might have some info that would help me out.
I'm now 6 months into my new career as production manager at a small structural steel fab/erector. I'm responsible for all purchasing, inventory, etc. That's where I'm looking to you to help me streamline and become a bit more efficient. The system I inherited works ok, but not great. We currently just have a simple google sheets spreadsheet that keeps a running list of what material was ordered. ALL MATERIAL. Each item ordered is listed with the job #, quantity, vendor, date, etc. As material is ordered day after day, the list grows, but it all runs together. Material for the same job might be on many different lines, as it was ordered on different days. Many of our huge custom homes take several YEARS to complete, so the data gets really scattered. Like I said, it works "ok". I can use the search function, and scroll through lines until I find highlighted entries...
I'd like to come up with a purchasing sheet or bill of materials that I can quickly and easily create, and maintain FOR each job. We break out additional "job numbers" for tasks, if you will for each main job. For example, we will usually begin a new job by assigning a job number for-
Client/Contractor- Structural. Then as the job progresses, a new job number will be created for C/C- Stair railings, or C/C- Driveway gate, etc.
I'd like my new system to allow me pull up a page by Client/Contractor, that shows everything that I have on order, in inventory, etc. I can then keep job numbers for the sub-tasks in the page as well.
I know I could just create a Word Document or the like, and just keep editing it as I go, but is there something better? I don't need to worry about costing or pricing, or quoting on this particular sheet. It's just for ME to quickly refer to when the question is asked- "Where do we stand on job XYZ??" "Is material here for the fireplace on job ABC?", etc.
At my previous company, I was a shop lead, so I was issued the purchasing list for each unit I was working. They were much more involved because they were turn-key units we built, so there was much more on the list. I believe they used a program called Access?? I think it was in Quickbooks, that I don't have access to on my terminal.
I have the basics- Word, Excel, To-Do, etc.
Can anyone lend me some insight??
Thanks for humoring me
I'm now 6 months into my new career as production manager at a small structural steel fab/erector. I'm responsible for all purchasing, inventory, etc. That's where I'm looking to you to help me streamline and become a bit more efficient. The system I inherited works ok, but not great. We currently just have a simple google sheets spreadsheet that keeps a running list of what material was ordered. ALL MATERIAL. Each item ordered is listed with the job #, quantity, vendor, date, etc. As material is ordered day after day, the list grows, but it all runs together. Material for the same job might be on many different lines, as it was ordered on different days. Many of our huge custom homes take several YEARS to complete, so the data gets really scattered. Like I said, it works "ok". I can use the search function, and scroll through lines until I find highlighted entries...
I'd like to come up with a purchasing sheet or bill of materials that I can quickly and easily create, and maintain FOR each job. We break out additional "job numbers" for tasks, if you will for each main job. For example, we will usually begin a new job by assigning a job number for-
Client/Contractor- Structural. Then as the job progresses, a new job number will be created for C/C- Stair railings, or C/C- Driveway gate, etc.
I'd like my new system to allow me pull up a page by Client/Contractor, that shows everything that I have on order, in inventory, etc. I can then keep job numbers for the sub-tasks in the page as well.
I know I could just create a Word Document or the like, and just keep editing it as I go, but is there something better? I don't need to worry about costing or pricing, or quoting on this particular sheet. It's just for ME to quickly refer to when the question is asked- "Where do we stand on job XYZ??" "Is material here for the fireplace on job ABC?", etc.
At my previous company, I was a shop lead, so I was issued the purchasing list for each unit I was working. They were much more involved because they were turn-key units we built, so there was much more on the list. I believe they used a program called Access?? I think it was in Quickbooks, that I don't have access to on my terminal.
I have the basics- Word, Excel, To-Do, etc.
Can anyone lend me some insight??
Thanks for humoring me