Choosing your role
Manufacturer, exporter, importer, distributor, or retailer — what each role sees.
Aleph supports five business roles across the supply chain. Your role determines what data you can create, what compliance modules apply to you, and which partners you can invite.
- Manufacturer — produces the product. Owns CPC certificates, lab reports, factory audits.
- Exporter — ships product internationally. Often also the manufacturer.
- Importer — the US importer of record. Usually the FSVP responsible party for food.
- Distributor — moves product within the destination country. Tracks chain-of-custody.
- Retailer — final point of sale. Surfaces customer-facing labels and warnings.
TIP: You can hold multiple roles. Many importers also distribute — set whichever role matches your primary business.