“All our vendors ship raw steel for the factory.”
Usage Entry 1154 / 1605 60-second read
Supplier vs. Vendor
Goods into your supply chain versus anyone you pay for goods or services.
The comparisoni
“All our suppliers ship raw steel for the factory. (Vendors sell; suppliers feed the supply chain.)”
The ruleii
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SUPPLIER = upstream. VENDOR = any seller.
SUPPLIER specifically means an upstream partner feeding your production. VENDOR is broader — any seller, from a software vendor to a hot-dog stand. Procurement teams use SUPPLIER for goods inventory and VENDOR for services and one-offs.
Memory aidiii
Remember it like this
Supplier = your chain. Vendor = their till.