# #139  Inventory Management for Early Brands: Cory Hebert from Cin7, and Jamie Valenti-Jordan, Catapult Commercialization Services

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2024-04-23
- Length: 54m
- Episode: 33
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2024-04-23-139-inventory-management-for-early-brands-cory-hebert-from-cin7-and-jamie-valent
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/4261ff2e

## Summary

Cory Hebert from Cin7 and Jamie Valenti-Jordan of Catapult Commercialization Services discuss inventory management strategies for early-stage CPG brands. They highlight the limitations of Excel, the critical importance of lot tracking for FSMA compliance, and the operational nightmares caused by inaccurate data entry. The guests compare specialized Inventory Management Systems (IMS) like Cin7 Core with complex ERPs like NetSuite, advising founders on when to upgrade their tech stack.

## Outline

1. Introduction and Guest Backgrounds
2. Early Stage Inventory Challenges and Yield Loss
3. FSMA Compliance and Lot Tracking Requirements
4. The Dangers of Shared Excel Spreadsheets
5. Cin7 Core Features and User Experience
6. IMS vs. ERP: When to Upgrade to NetSuite or SAP
7. Order-to-Cash Process and Retailer Deductions
8. Hiring Strategies and Final Inventory Tips

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Cin7 Core (tool)
- Catapult Commercialization Services (company)
- Shopify (tool)
- Quickbooks (tool)
- NetSuite (tool)
- SAP (tool)
- Amazon (company)
- Campbell's soup (company)
- Hampton Creek (company)
- Kroger (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [#068 - Challenges of small manufacturers to organise their production and inventory, with Kristjan Vilosius of Katana, Estonia](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2019-05-15-068-challenges-of-small-manufacturers-to-organise-their-production-and-inventory) (The Hardware Entrepreneur)
- [324 - Label Expo Europe is NEXT WEEK! I'll be there with CERM...but why CERM? It's the 1% advantage](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-09-08-324-label-expo-europe-is-next-week-ill-be-there-with-cerm-but-why-cerm-its-the-1) (People of Packaging)
- [97: Plateaus](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2023-04-06-97-plateaus) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [Electronica 24: From Crisis Management to Strategic Efficiency, with Cofactr CEO Matthew Haber](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-19-electronica-24-from-crisis-management-to-strategic-efficiency-with-cofactr-ceo-m) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Ep. 9 - Time Management](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2023-11-23-ep-9-time-management) (Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast)

## Citing this page

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