In Katana, you can assign specific ingredient batches (materials or subassemblies) to outsourced purchase orders (OPOs). This ensures traceability, quality control, and compliance throughout your outsourced manufacturing process.
Key rules before assigning
Batches can be selected immediately after creating the OPO.
Assign ingredient batches and source bins on the recipe rows, before or after the OPO is received.
Assigned batches do not commit stock until the order is marked Received.
You can only assign batches from the Track ingredients in location of the OPO.
Example: If you want a contractor to use batches stored in your warehouse, set Track ingredients in = Warehouse, assign the batches, then change it back to the contractor’s location. Don’t forget to also create a stock transfer to move the assigned batches to the contractor before receiving the OPO.
How to assign batches for ingredients
Open the OPO and go down to the items table open the Track ingredients tab.
In either place, you'll find a yellow triangle traceability indicator. Click on the indicator to assign batches.
Add batches and storage bins (if applicable).
Select an existing batch with positive stock, or choose Unbatched (if available).
If the full quantity isn’t taken from one batch, Katana adds an extra row so you can assign the remainder from another batch.
If available, the Expiration date for the selected batch is displayed.
Completing the OPO
After saving batch info, print a BOM with assigned batches if you want to share this with your contractor.
Change the OPO status to Receive all.
If the purchased item itself is batch-trackable, you’ll also need to assign a batch number for the received items. Learn more about assigning batches when receiving items
Validation & traceability
When the OPO is received, Katana validates that all assigned batches are still available in stock.
If valid, the ingredients are consumed from those exact batches.
You can view or edit ingredient assignments from the OPO card > Track ingredients tab.
Key takeaways
Only batches from the OPO’s Track ingredients in location can be used.
Assigned batches are saved but not committed until the OPO is received.
Use the BOM printout to share assigned batches with contractors.
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