Basic subcontracting lead times

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Introduction

In Odoo, lead times help you estimate how long it will take to complete certain actions for example, receiving a purchased product from a supplier.

When working with basic subcontracting, lead times are especially useful for predicting when products will be ready. They take into account the time your subcontractor needs to manufacture the product and deliver it to you.

By setting accurate lead times, your purchase orders (POs) will show realistic Expected Arrival dates, helping you plan sales, stock levels, and customer commitments more effectively.

Step-by-Step Instructions

 

  1. Enable and Configure Basic Subcontracting

Before setting lead times, make sure you have basic subcontracting enabled in Odoo. In this workflow, your subcontractor sources their own components, so you only track manufacturing and delivery times.

  1. Set a Delivery Lead Time for a Subcontracted Product
  • Go to Inventory → Products → Products.
  • Select the subcontracted product you want to configure.
  • Open the Purchase tab.
  • If the subcontractor isn’t already listed as a vendor, click Add a line, choose them from the Vendor drop-down, and set the price.
  • In the Delivery Lead Time field, enter the total number of days it usually takes for them to:
    • Manufacture the product
    • Deliver it to you

 

Example: If manufacturing takes 3 days and delivery takes 2 days, enter “5” in Delivery Lead Time.

 

Tip: You can add multiple subcontractors for the same product, each with their own lead time.

 

  1. See Lead Times in Action When Creating an RfQ
  1. Go to Purchase → Orders → Purchase Orders → New.
  2. Choose your subcontractor in the Vendor field.
  3. Add the product in the Products tab, along with the required quantity.
  4. Odoo will automatically calculate the Expected Arrival date based on your lead time setting.
  5. If needed, adjust the date — but only set an earlier date if your subcontractor confirms they can meet it.
  6. Click Confirm Order to turn the request for quotation (RfQ) into a purchase order.

Once confirmed, your subcontractor starts manufacturing, then delivers according to the schedule.

Tips

  • Review lead times regularly – subcontractor performance can change over time.
  • Use realistic estimates – it’s better to under-promise and over-deliver than the other way round.
  • Communicate with subcontractors – if a big order is coming, confirm whether lead times will remain the same.
  • Factor in holidays and peak seasons – delivery schedules can be affected.

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