Purchase Orders

What is a PO and why is it required?

A Purchase Order (PO) is a formal request or instruction from Cargill to a supplier to supply materials and/or services in specified quantities at a certain point in time and under pre-defined terms and conditions, such as price, payment terms, etc.  A PO is a legal document.

Cargill recommends purchase orders be generated for all materials and services we procure.  As a supplier, you can request a written document for each purchasing event. The purchase order should include a PO # and an “Attn Line” number that corresponds to the Cargill business (bill to) you’re transacting with. It should also include information about where to submit your invoices. This information is required to be to invoice correctly and receive payment promptly.

NOTE: Please pay attention to any special instructions on your PO. In addition, each PO should clearly state whether and where to submit invoices to Cargill. If your instructions are not clear, please request confirmation from your Cargill contact (buyer) at the time you confirm your PO (see below).  For more information about invoicing, click here.

PO Exemptions 

In limited scenarios, Cargill does not require a PO.  To review a listing of the PO Exempt categories for North America Suppliers, see Suppliers PO Exemptions.

What to do if you don’t have a PO and require one.

If you have not received a PO or written purchase authorization from Cargill and the material and/or service being requested is not on the Suppliers PO Exemptions listing, we recommend that you contact your Cargill contact (buyer) to confirm the PO #, Attn Line, Cargill bill to, and where your invoices should be submitted.

Evaluated Receipt Settlement (ERS)

Evaluated Receipt Settlement (ERS) is a self-billing method that eliminates supplier invoicing activities by automatically settling payments to the supplier based on the purchase order price and goods receipt quantity and/or service receipt.  Suppliers must confirm that pricing on the PO from Cargill matches what they expect to be paid, including all charges and taxes.  This may require that service providers provide final cost by item to their Cargill plant contact.  Please follow the instructions listed on the purchase order.  

Cargill is transitioning away from enabling suppliers on ERS, however if you are a supplier still enabled on ERS your purchase order will display as follows: