FAQs

I am a Global Diverse Supplier (51% woman or minority owned). Can I still register as Diverse Supplier in your portal?

Yes you can register. Cargill looks for diverse opportunities in the US and other parts of the world. Note today we recognize WeConnect International as our international partner for Women Owned Businesses.

When will I be contacted?

After all steps are completed, you will receive an e-mail acknowledging that you have completed the registration process and have been added to our diverse supplier database. No further contact will be provided to confirm completed registration.

How can I update my information?

Once you are registered, you can log onto http://cargill.suppliergateway.com at any time.

I’ve registered… Now what?

Acceptance into our supplier diversity registration does not guarantee business or opportunity. Cargill will use the database to search for potential suppliers on an as-needed basis. We encourage all suppliers to learn as much about Cargill and our many businesses as possible.

What do I do with an Invitation to Register?

If you receive an invitation to registration, make sure that you complete the registration via the registration email ONLY.

How long will my registration be valid?

A valid, up-to-date certification is required to participate in our system. It is up to you to keep the certification valid.

How does Cargill’s Supplier Diversity team work within Cargill’s procurement process?

The Supplier Diversity team advocates and supports diverse suppliers from within. Through attending events where diverse suppliers and certifying organizations are invited, Supplier Diversity helps identify suppliers and begins developing the relationship in anticipation of future procurement opportunities.

What if I have registered but have not been contacted for an opportunity?

Registration does not guarantee business; however, as long as your company has quality products and services that could meet our needs, following this process increases the likelihood of your business being considered by our procurement professionals.

What if I am not a diverse supplier?

In order to work with Cargill’s Tier 1 supplier diversity program, it is encouraged that you are a certified diverse supplier; however, if you are a high-quality supplier with well-developed diverse suppliers in your own supply chain, you may qualify through our Tier 2 program.

What is a Tier 2 program?

We maximize and multiply diversity within our supply chain through our Tier 2 program. A Tier 2 supplier is the company that provides Cargill’s Tier 1 (Prime) supplier with products or services that will be provided to the end user. The Tier 2 company’s service or product does not have to be sold directly to Cargill for the spend to be counted in Cargill’s Tier 2 program.

I have a question about the Supplier Gateway that isn’t answered here.

Additional FAQs related to specific portal issues such as user IDs, passwords and more can be found at the portal directly here. Please fill out this inquiry for any other questions or concerns not previously addressed.

Purchase Order Requirement FAQs - Français

What is changing about invoice submission requirements?

As part of a Cargill global initiative to standardize and optimize our systems and processes, we are reinforcing compliance with our invoice submission requirements, including having a valid PO when required. Following our policies and processes will allow invoices to be routed efficiently through our systems, resulting in consistent on-time payments.

This means that unless an exemption applies (see the Exempt Category list), we will require a PO number on every invoice submitted. Invoices received by the Accounts Payable team without a valid PO number will not be paid and the supplier will be notified of non-compliance. The non-compliance notification will be sent to the submitter’s email address.

Why is this requirement being implemented?

The PO requirement aims to improve the efficiency of Cargill’s Accounts Payable team and thus enable us to improve our ability to pay your invoices on time. It ensures that Cargill pays only for goods, services and works that have been properly ordered and authorized. It also ensures invoices received by the Accounts Payable team can be processed efficiently to minimize delay to suppliers and contractors.

Does this change apply to all the plants that I do business with?

This policy applies to all plants, unless an exemption applies (see Exemption question).

Are there any exemptions to the PO requirement?

There are some pre-approved situations that do not require a PO, such as charity donations, corporate card provider payments, insurance payments, etc. Click here to view list of exemptions.

What is expected from suppliers?

We request that you ensure that a valid PO number is mentioned on the Invoice before it is submitted to Cargill for payment. If the PO number is not clearly indicated on your invoice, payments might be delayed. If you do business across multiple Cargill plants / locations, you need to understand if a different PO is required for the system used in each plant / location. Click here to learn more.

When does the PO requirement take effect?

The PO requirement will apply to orders placed on or after 1st December, 2019, and invoices received on or after this date. In case there is any change to this effective date, you will be notified in advance.

What should I do if I don’t have a PO?

If you have not received a PO or written purchase authorization, please reach out to your Cargill contact (buyer) to confirm the Attn Line (if applicable), Cargill bill to, and PO # (if applicable), and to receive instructions for submitting an invoice without a PO.

What is the correct PO number sequence/format?

SAP PO numbers are 10-digits long and follow one of the numbering range sequences as shown below:

SAP Instance	PO Number Range
TC1	1*********
TCL	6*********
TC2	4*********
TCD	5*********

 

What systems are affected by the PO requirement?

Cargill uses JDE and SAP to generate payments to suppliers. Purchasing events managed on SAP require a PO. While purchasing events managed through the JDE system generally do not require a PO, specific details are required, such as the Attention Line.  Please refer to the “How payment systems (JDE and SAP) affect invoicing” section in the invoice submission requirements on Supplier Central for more information about SAP and JDE requirements.

Is it possible to continue to receive PO numbers by phone?

In the case of emergencies, yes.  However, you still need to obtain a purchase order document and ensure you provide the quoted purchase order number on your invoice.

What if I am asked to provide goods and / or services in an emergency?

In situations where an urgent order is needed, it is possible to prioritize the creation of a purchase order number. Be sure to coordinate with your Cargill contact to follow the emergency order procedure they provide.

Where can I get more information about the PO requirement?

Click here more information about the PO requirement.

What if I have questions about submitting invoices in general?

Click here to view invoice submission FAQs.

What is the correct Attention Line format?

Click here to learn the details of Attention Line formatting for the ERP system Cargill is using to manage your invoices.

Example SAP attention line: 1###-A### (4 numbers, followed by a hyphen, then a letter, followed by 3 numbers)

Example JDE attention line: 1####-######## (5 numbers, followed by a hyphen, followed by 8 numbers)

Contact your Cargill buyer if you don't know what to put in the attention line.

What information should I include on the invoice?

Click the link below to display the information that is required on all invoices to ensure timely payment processing and avoidance of manual review.

NOTE: For suppliers who have been upgraded to SAP, it is especially critical that the values you submit on your invoice match the corresponding values on your PO.

Click here to view information required on an invoice.

What are the invoice submission and format requirements that I need to follow?

Click here to view invoice submission and format requirements.

Where should I submit the invoice?

Unless you have been instructed otherwise, submit your invoices via email to  [email protected] for processing.

NOTE: This email address should be used ONLY for submission of invoices. Any other documents or statements submitted to this email will be deleted. Visit our Contact page for additional ways to reach us. Cargill does not accept any invoices submitted via fax. 

Do not submit invoices to [email protected] in the following cases:

• If the transaction is Evaluated Receipt Settlement (ERS) or two-document match. Click here to learn more about ERS transactions.
• If the instructions on your PO specify alternate invoice submission locations
• If your contact at Cargill gave you alternate instructions
• If the transaction is in Ariba Network (AN):

AN transactions must be completed in AN (including invoicing when applicable) for transactions to be paid by Cargill. Click here to learn more about entering AN transactions.

• If CAN (Cargill Animal Nutrition) transaction:

Please confirm invoice submission requirements for CAN with your business contact.

What should I do if I have sent an invoice and payment appears to be delayed?

Invoices may be disputed for any of a number of reasons and will always be sent back to the supplier email address along with the reasons the invoice is being disputed. Below are a few examples. Please contact Supplier relations via email if one of these situations applies to your invoice:

• No Purchase Order number quoted on the invoice (Contact your Cargill Buyer)
• Purchase Order number quoted is now completely utilized
• Purchase Order number does not match Cargill’s issued order
• Purchase Order number does not match the description/dates on the invoice
• Multiple Purchase Order numbers are quoted on one invoice. Please send individual invoices for each Purchase Order number
• Unit of measurement and unit price on Invoice not matching with Purchase order
• No Attention Line or incorrect Attention line mentioned on Non PO invoice
• Delay in Cargill receiving Goods or Services
• Multiple invoices in one PDF document. Please send one invoice per PDF file
• No invoice number quoted

What do I do if I can’t meet all the requirements for invoice submission?

Please see the Supplier Queries tab for instructions.

What is the Global Payment Term Optimization initiative and how do I benefit?

We are launching a global initiative to ensure our systems, processes, and payment terms are optimized to offer these benefits to suppliers:

• Increased payment predictability

• Standard payment terms that allows for added transparency and on-time payments

• More consistency in payment schedules, enabling better management of cashflow

Are all suppliers subject to Cargill’s new payment terms?

Yes! Our new global payment terms policy is effective across all of our suppliers globally. Our global initiative will help to ensure our systems, processes, and payment terms are optimized to ensure our vendors are given more payment transparency and paid on-time globally.

Are finance options available?

Unfortunately, at this time, we do not have financing options available. However, we are working towards offering a financing option in the near future and can follow up as details become more clear. In the meantime, you can email us at [email protected] to understand other payment term options.

Other than financing, what other options are available?

Please email us at [email protected] to discuss earlier payment term options with discounts.

Who can I contact to discuss this payment term change further?

Please email us at [email protected] to raise any concerns you may have.

As a supplier invoicing Cargill NA plants, what is the most efficient way to get paid?

Cargill requires all NA suppliers to be paid electronically through Automated Clearing House (ACH). Go to the “How to Receive Payment” page on Supplier Central to get instructions and obtain the correct form to complete.

Do I follow the same process for remitting invoices?

Yes, your current invoicing process and remit to address are NOT changing as a result of this initiative.

How can I determine when my company will get paid?

You can determine your payment date by adding the number of days in your payment terms to the Invoice Receipt Date, which is the date Cargill scans the invoice into our system. For example, if the Invoice Receipt Date is January 6, 2020 (the date the invoice was scanned into our system) and the payment terms specified in your contract is 90 days, the payment date for this invoice will be April 5, 2020.

What is the Invoice Receipt Date, and how is it different from the Invoice Date?

The Invoice Receipt Date is the date when Cargill Accounts Payable receives and scans the invoice into our system the invoice. The Invoice Receipt Date is not the date you prepared the invoice or the date on the invoice. Your payment terms will start from the Invoice Receipt Date.

How do I know the date of the Invoice Receipt Date?

If your invoice meets all of the invoice submission requirements (including submitting it to the correct location via email, with the correct ATTN Line), the Invoice Receipt Date will usually be within one business day of its arrival at Cargill Accounts Payable. If anything is missing or if you submit the invoice to the plant or some other incorrect location, the Invoice Receipt Date will be delayed and will correspondingly delay your payment. 

How can I avoid delayed payments?

Be sure to follow the invoice submission instructions available on the Supplier Central site. 

Where should I submit my invoice to ensure an Invoice Receipt Date is as close to the Invoice Date as date as possible?

Submit your invoice packet to [email protected]

Are there any exceptions to submitting invoices to this location?

Yes. If you are in the Ariba system or using ERS, there is no change to your invoice submission location.

If I need to re-submit an invoice, will the payment terms calculate from Receipt of Original invoice or Receipt of Revised invoice?

If you need to re-submit an invoice to correct an error or provide missing information, the date Accounts Payable receives the re-submitted invoice is new Invoice Receipt Date from which the payment date is calculated. See this question for additional information.

How does Cargill calculate the payment date if I submit an invoice to my contact at the plant?

If you submit the invoice to a contact at your plant, your invoice will be returned to you with instructions to re-submit to the central invoice processing location [email protected]m. The day the invoice processing team receives the invoice is the Invoice Receipt Date. 

Who do I contact if my payment is more than 10 days past due or have a question regarding pending payments?

If your payment is more than 10 days late, please follow these instructions on Supplier Central to submit a ticket via email, so that we can follow up with you. Please take note of the ticket number you receive. If you do received a response within 3 business days, please reply to the email you received from [email protected] and specify your ticket number and “ESCALATION” in the subject line. We appreciate your patience as we follow up on your inquiry.

How does my company benefit from this change?

Because payments will be paid according to a consistent process, it will enable a more predictable cash flow for our suppliers.

What if I have questions about how the Invoice Receipt Date was determined for an invoice or how the payment date was calculated?

Contact our team. 

Why is Cargill using the Invoice Receipt Date for determining my payment due date?

Using the Invoice Receipt Date when calculating the payment due date has always been standard language in our contracts. Our systems and processes are now aligned with this language to use the Invoice Receipt Date field in the determining the payment due date.

Account Types

You can choose your preference with account types to transact with customers digitally while reducing costs. Plus, gain visibility into when you can expect payment from your customers. 

Standard: Basic functionality,  email solution to transact with Cargill POs, confirmations and invoices and is completely free for suppliers.

     Click here : Ariba standard account – Datasheet
     Video : Supplier launchpad - Standard account  

Enterprise account: Advanced capabilities to transform your business with complete Ariba Network functionality and E2E view of the procurement process

     Click here  : Ariba Enterprise account - Datasheet
     Video : Supplier launchpad - Ariba Enterprise account

Integration : Improve efficiency, get paid faster, and do more with less.

      Click here : Integration on Ariba Network

Catalog : Define, validate, and enrich catalog content with enterprise-grade content management tools

     Click here : SAP Ariba Catalog

I don’t know how to login to Ariba network/login credentials are missing

Go to service.ariba.com/. In your first page- you will see a view as shown in the screenshot below

 

The page will be re-directed to below options. Select the appropriate options based on your requirement

In the next page, you would be required to provide appropriate email address

You will receive the instructions in your email to reset the user name/password

How can I access training materials/helpdesk information?

Login to your Ariba account with your existing user ID and password. On your home page, you should be able to see “Help Center” Option in your right hand side top right corner.

You will be directed to the Ariba user exchange community. Use your search criteria and enter the question below. The results will be displayed with all articles/topics related to particular question.

If still you need to connect with helpdesk then use an appropriate option from below.

What is Ariba Network?

As the world’s largest web-based trading community, Ariba Network connects leading global organizations with their trading partners and provides a broad-based platform for all key business collaboration needs. It supports everything from trading partner discovery and e-procurement to e-invoicing and working capital management, allowing participants to buy, sell, and manage cash rapidly and effectively. Ariba Network delivers unparalleled ROI, reach, flexibility, and value to both buyers and suppliers, helping to make business commerce as easy as consumer commerce. Today, more than 4.6 million companies – including more than half of the Global 2000 – use Ariba Network to streamline and automate their collaborative business processes.

Is there a free Ariba Network account for supplier?

Yes, suppliers can use Ariba Network for free with a standard account. The Ariba Network, standard account allows suppliers to transact an unlimited number of documents such as orders; full and partial order confirmation; ship notices; and service entry sheets. For a full list of standard account capabilities, click here

Why would some suppliers need to pay fees to use Ariba Network?

SAP Ariba invests significantly in Ariba Network to ensure it supports more processes and trading partners and offers suppliers more value than any other collaboration product in the industry. This includes providing suppliers with onboarding services and support in multiple languages and locations worldwide, which requires investment from our customers as well. In addition, SAP Ariba bundles value-added functionality, services, and support into subscriptions tailored to suppliers’ level of participation.

How do suppliers obtain access to specific features or services available at their subscription level?

We offer five subscription levels: Premium, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The subscription level each supplier receives is aligned with the financial volume and number of documents they transact on Ariba Network as well as their technology usage. Many of the subscription features and services are available directly on Ariba Network, so suppliers can access them by simply logging in to their accounts. For answers to more specific questions regarding subscription services or billing, suppliers may sign in to their Ariba Network account to contact Support via the Help Center.

How are supplier fees calculated?

To understand how fees are calculated, please visit the subscription and pricing page. There you can select your region from the list of datasheets.

How are “transaction volume” and “document counts” calculated?

Transaction volume is calculated as the total financial value (in the applicable currency), including any taxes such as value-added taxes (VAT), of all non-PO invoices plus the total financial value of all POs (excluding cancelled orders) or all invoices generated from a PO, whichever is greater, sent over Ariba Network for the preceding 12 months. To avoid double counting, PO-based invoices sent via Ariba Network are not included in the transaction volume.

Annual document count is the number of POs and all invoices (both PO-based and non-PO-based invoices) for the preceding 12 months. Order acknowledgements, change orders, advance ship notifications, and settlement/payment remittance advice documents are excluded from the document count; suppliers may transact an unlimited number of these at no cost.

Which documents are included in these annual counts?

Only purchase order and invoice (both PO- and non-PO-based) documents are included in the annual counts.

Is the number of documents a supplier transacts aggregated across all of their customer relationships to qualify them for a subscription?

Once a supplier crosses the thresholds where they are required to pay fees, the subscription level assigned to the supplier is based on their aggregated transacted documents across all customer relationships.

If a supplier has multiple customers on Ariba Network, do they pay for multiple subscriptions?

No. Suppliers are placed into a single subscription that is based on, and applies to, all of their customer relationships.

Is there an option for suppliers to upgrade their subscription to a higher level?

Yes, optional upgrades are available for those suppliers who wish to access Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum features and benefits but do not qualify for those subscription levels through their current transaction volume. Suppliers interested in this option may log in to Ariba Network and click on the Service Subscriptions page from the Company Settings menu.

How does Ariba Network determine the master anniversary date for a supplier’s fees?

A supplier’s master anniversary date is the date that supplier first reaches a paying level on Ariba Network; that is, when the supplier reaches the transaction volume and document count chargeability thresholds with at least one customer on Ariba Network within a one-year period. Once that occurs, the following guidelines are used:

Transaction fees: We have found that a supplier’s past usage of Ariba Network is a reliable predictor of their future usage, so we charge based on transaction history. Some suppliers are billed annually for transaction fees and others (including all new or recently onboarded suppliers) are billed quarterly.

Subscription fee: Fees for Ariba Network Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum subscriptions are calculated and billed annually on suppliers’ master anniversary dates, regardless of whether their account is billed annually or quarterly for transaction fees. For the initial subscription term after the supplier first crosses both thresholds, Ariba Network looks at the number of documents that supplier transacted across all customer relationships, for up to three months if available, and annualizes that document count to determine the subscription package level and fee for the next year.

The supplier’s subscription level is then reevaluated each year on their master anniversary date based on the number of documents they transacted during the previous 12 months, regardless of whether the supplier is on an annual or a quarterly transaction fee billing cycle. Subscriptions last for one year, and the subscription level and fee are reevaluated only on the supplier’s master anniversary date.

What is an ANID number, and how does it impact how supplier fees are calculated?

An Ariba Network Identification (ANID) number is a unique identifier of an Ariba Network account. Suppliers may maintain multiple ANIDs for various reasons. For each of these ANIDs, purchase orders and invoices – as well as transaction (monetary) volume – are counted for each customer relationship to determine when the thresholds are reached for supplier fees. Once the supplier reaches the chargeability thresholds in at least one relationship, transaction and subscription fees are assessed across all relationships within the same ANID. Suppliers with multiple ANIDs may roll up their accounts into a “multi-org” parent-child relationship to take advantage of per-relationship caps.

Why might a supplier have to pay now when previously they were transacting for free?

Suppliers who receive their first invoice from SAP Ariba have reached an important e-commerce milestone: they’ve crossed the chargeability thresholds with at least one customer annually via Ariba Network. To maintain their momentum – and Ariba Network relationships their customers have come to rely on – it’s critical that they renew their membership and remit payment before the due date on their invoice to avoid service interruption. Only then can they continue to enjoy the measurable benefits of being an Ariba Network supplier.

If a supplier is renewing their membership, why might their fees be different from last year?

Supplier fees can vary depending on the supplier’s activity level on Ariba Network. Each year, upon the supplier’s subsequent master anniversary date, Ariba Network performs an annual look-back on the number of documents transacted and assigns the supplier account to the appropriate subscription level for the next 12 months. In addition, each year or each quarter, Ariba Network performs an annual look-back to evaluate transaction fees, which are fixed for one quarter or one year.

How can a supplier pay their invoice?

Payment is handled via a web-based process, accessible through the supplier’s Ariba Network account. Only users with Ariba Network administrator privileges will be able to perform the payment process. Here are the steps they should follow:

• Log in to their account
• Click on Company Settings in the upper right-hand corner and select Service Subscriptions from the drop-down menu
• Go to the Billing tab to review any outstanding fees
• Click the Pay Invoice link for any of the subscriptions with payment(s) due
• Follow the instructions for selecting a payment method and accepting the Terms of Use
• Click Submit

Suppliers can pay their membership fees with a credit card, electronic funds transfer (formatted as Fedwire, ACH, or SEPA), or check (payment options vary by region).

What happens if a supplier does not pay their Ariba Network fees?

The supplier’s account will be suspended. They will not be able to use Ariba Network to receive purchase orders, submit invoices, or engage in any transactions, and the supplier’s customers will be notified of their account suspension.

What payment types are accepted for Ariba Network?

It depends on the value of the Ariba Network invoice. In most cases, suppliers can pay their fees with a credit card, electronic funds transfer (formatted as Fedwire, ACH, or SEPA), or check (payment options vary by region). However, for some small invoices in some geographies, we ask that suppliers pay via credit card. This requirement is part of our effort to better meet supplier needs, including offering greater convenience and time savings, as well as protecting suppliers from the risk of not being able to transact with their customers if a payment is more than 30 days late.

Where can suppliers learn more about Ariba Network and supplier fees?

Download datasheet on Subscriptions and Pricing page.

Access support by signing in to their Ariba Network account and/or the regional support contact information listed on their invoice.

Where can I view the terms of use for doing business on Ariba Network as a supplier?

As a supplier, you can view your terms of use at https://service.ariba.com/Authenticator.aw/ad/termsCenter.

How to check who has submitted invoice in Ariba from supplier end?

Unfortunately, we will not be able to determine who has submitted the invoice. We don’t have visibility to supplier account.  Usually, its Ariba account administrator and the person who is set up under your Ariba account can submit the invoices. You may check in the invoice history section in changed by field to determine who had submitted the request or last changed the document. Please refer to the master guide/Ariba.  Let us know if you have any further issue.

Can invoices prior to today (till go live), be sent thru Ariba?

If you received a PO thru the Ariba network from Cargill, you should be invoicing those transactions in AN.  PO's from Cargill that your company received before your companies go live date and are not in AN should be invoiced as you had previously per the instructions on the PO.

If we receive a PO and the price, currency, quantity, additional charges do not match what we plan on invoicing should we NOT ship until we receive an updated PO in Ariba from Cargill?

It is best practices to make sure you receive a PO prior to shipping that is correct and matches what you expect to be paid.  There are cases where you may be shipping prior; but those would be cases by case, and you should work with your Cargill buyer if you have a question on a PO.

If the ship to date of a PO is changed from original requested ship to date, does the PO needs to be confirmed again for each change to the delivery date? Sometimes we have multiple changes to the ship date on a single PO.

Yes, the ship to dates and delivery date needs to be updated in AN for every changes in the dates. 

Can Supplier invoice for items that are not reflected on a PO?

Cargill PO’s must reflect what a supplier expects to be paid.  Cargill does not allow suppliers to invoice for items not on a PO (no Non-Po charges are allowed in AN on Cargill transactions.) If the buyer approves the additional values, they will be added to the PO for the supplier to transact in AN on. 

Are shipping charges allowed in the confirmation?

Shipping cannot be added to the  confirmation unless the supplier contacts their Cargill buyer who would need to update the PO with shipping and freight costs.

Does Cargill support Credit Invoices/Credit Memos?

Cargill supports Credit Invoices/Credit Memos and Item level credits; price/quantity adjustments on Material orders ONLY.

For credits relating to a Cargill Service PO, suppliers should contact the Buyer for instructions