---
key: create-a-supplier-purchase-order
title: Create a supplier purchase order
audience: staff
section: sales-billing
routes: ["/purchase-orders", "/purchase-orders/new"]
permissions: ["commerce.purchase_orders.create"]
features: ["commerce.purchase_orders"]
since: 0.0.1
updated: 0.0.1
status: published
summary: Order parts or materials from a supplier by drafting a purchase order, linking it to the work order that needs them, and submitting it for approval.
keywords: [PO, order parts, order materials, supply house order, purchase order draft, requisition]
related: [add-a-supplier, send-a-purchase-order-and-receive-items, create-a-work-order]
---

In the sidebar, open **Sales & Billing**, then **Purchasing**, then **Purchase Orders**. The page address is `/purchase-orders`. A new order opens at `/purchase-orders/new`.

A supplier purchase order (PO) is what Nova sends to a supply house or wholesaler. It is not the PO number a customer gives you; that stays on the customer's work order and invoice.

## Before you start

- The supplier has to exist. See [[add-a-supplier]], or press **Manage suppliers** inside the form.
- Your role needs permission to create purchase orders, view suppliers and manage costs. If you do not see **New supplier PO**, ask your admin.

## Steps

1. Press **New supplier PO**. A blank order opens.
2. Choose the **Supplier** from the list.
3. Under **Work order (optional)**, pick the work order that needs these materials. Skip it for stock that is not for one customer. You can also link a **Project (optional)**.
4. Choose the **Supplier delivery destination**: the branch that will receive the delivery. When a work order is linked, leaving it blank uses that work order's destination.
5. Set the **Expected delivery** date and any **Shipping** cost.
6. Under **Items ordered**, fill in the first line: pick an inventory item or type a description in **Inventory item or description**, then set **Quantity**, **Unit cost** and **Tax rate (%)**. Press **Add item** for each extra line.
7. Write anything the supplier needs to know in **Supplier instructions**. **Internal notes** stay inside Nova and are never shown to the supplier.
8. Press **Create draft**. Nova saves the order with the status **Draft** and gives it a PO number.

## What you see

- The **Expected subtotal** updates as you add lines.
- The list page shows every order with its number, supplier, **Job / destination** and **Status**. The three cards above it count orders that are open, awaiting approval and being received on this page.
- Open the **Filters** panel to show one **Status** (**Draft**, **Submitted**, **Approved**, **Sent**, **Partially received**, **Received** or **Cancelled**) or one work order.
- A draft's page offers **Edit**, **PDF** and **Discard draft**. Discarded drafts can be brought back from **Recently discarded** at the top of the list.

## If something looks different

- **New supplier PO** is greyed out: your organization's currency is not set. Hover the button to read the message.
- **Create draft** refuses: every line needs a description and quantity, and the order needs a destination.
- You want to send the order or record what arrived: see [[send-a-purchase-order-and-receive-items]].

[[route:/purchase-orders/new|Start a new supplier PO]]