Sponsored by Cin7

This article is sponsored by Cin7, an all-in-one production, inventory and order management platform that helps product businesses—from emerging food and beverage brands to established manufacturers—optimize operations at every stage of the supply chain. Save 50% off your first 3 months. Learn more about Cin7.

For many early-stage CPG founders, inventory management starts with a spreadsheet, but you shouldn’t have to build one from scratch.

That’s why we’ve partnered with Cin7 to share a free Inventory Management Template—a simple yet powerful tool that helps you track your stock, calculate reorder points, and get visibility into your supply chain. It’s designed specifically for product businesses like yours.

In this article, we’ll walk through what’s in the template, how to use it, and when to start thinking about a dedicated inventory management system..

What’s Inside the Inventory Template

The Inventory Management Template from Cin7 is a plug-and-play spreadsheet built to help you get control of your inventory without needing software right away. It’s ideal for brands in their first 12 months of operation or those testing multiple sales channels.

Here’s what the template includes:

• Product Master List – A central place to track SKUs, product names, and categories
• Inventory On Hand Tracker – Log current stock levels across ingredients, packaging, and finished goods
• Reorder Point Calculator – Input lead times and safety stock levels to automatically calculate when to reorder
• Purchase Order Sheet – Track past and upcoming POs by supplier and cost
• Supplier List – Keep all your vendor info and terms organized in one place

The goal isn’t to replace software long-term—it’s to help you build good habits and processes early, so you’re ready to upgrade when the time comes.

When to Move From Template to Software

Eventually, every growing CPG brand reaches a point where spreadsheets just don’t cut it. If any of the following sound familiar, it’s time to consider moving to an inventory system like Cin7:

• You’re managing multiple suppliers with different lead times
• You’re selling through multiple channels (e.g., Shopify + Faire + Wholesale)
• You’re working with a co-manufacturer or 3PL and need better visibility
• You need to track batch codes, expiry dates, or lot numbers
• You’ve missed out on orders due to stockouts or late production runs

One smart question to ask yourself:

👉 “Am I making mistakes or missing things in my business?”

If the answer is yes—or even maybe—it’s worth exploring solutions now before things break under pressure. Most systems (including Cin7) offer scalable options that grow with your business, so you don’t have to start over later.

Start Simple, Scale Smarter

Your inventory system doesn’t need to be perfect from day one—but it does need to exist. With a well-built template and a consistent process, you can start gaining visibility into your business and make smarter decisions about ordering, production, and fulfillment.

Download the Free Inventory Template

Start with Cin7’s Inventory List Template and take the first step toward scalable operations.

When you’re ready, Cin7 is there to help you upgrade from spreadsheets to a full-featured inventory and order management system.