# Purchasing, stock and COGS for collective catering

MEPO calculates how much of each ingredient the menu requires, subtracts the balance and the reservations, and lists what is left to buy. The team compares supplier quotes, approves the purchase order and checks the goods receipt.

## What you organize

- Purchasing need calculated per ingredient
- Supplier quotes side by side
- Purchase order approved within the approval limit
- Stock entry with average cost

## Purchasing need

The calculation starts from the gross quantities in the recipe sheets, subtracts the available balance (balance minus reservations) and suggests the packages that can be bought, with the rounding applied. Warnings flag a missing sheet or a package without a conversion.

## Reviewed purchase request

A person reviews the calculated quantities and creates the purchase request. MEPO does not send orders to suppliers on its own.

## Quote and purchase order

The supplier answers the quote through a link that needs no login, with a price per package. The link is shared by hand, by WhatsApp or email. MEPO compares the proposals, and the resulting purchase order goes through the approval limit before it is sent.

## Receipt and cost

When the goods receipt is confirmed, MEPO records the stock entry and recalculates the ingredient's weighted average cost in the base unit. That cost applies to the issues for requisitions and waste, which make up COGS.

## Frequently asked questions

### Does MEPO buy on its own?

No. MEPO calculates the need, but the team reviews the request, chooses the quote and approves each purchase order.

### Does MEPO import supplier invoices?

In Brazil, yes. The NFC-e (the Brazilian electronic consumer invoice) comes in through its QR code for the states of Amazonas and Sergipe, or through the XML file. For other states, use the XML or manual entry. MEPO shows the invoice for review, and nothing enters stock without confirmation.

## Continue with these topics

- [Calculate purchasing needs](https://www.mepo.so/en/conteudos/como-calcular-necessidade-de-compras-a-partir-do-cardapio)
- [Understand COGS](https://www.mepo.so/en/conteudos/como-calcular-e-interpretar-o-cmv)
- [Control stock](https://www.mepo.so/en/conteudos/controle-de-estoque-em-cozinha-industrial)