---
title: Second-Tier Approval Phase
description: The second-tier approval phase exists to ensure that high-value, high-risk, equipment, or non-standard supply orders receive proper oversight before being placed. This phase protects budgets, ensures compliance with approved supply lists, and provides a management checkpoint for exceptions.
---
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1. [DSC Solutions Group Standard Operating Procedures](https://www.dscsolutionsfm.co/sops?hsLang=en)
2. [Operations – Janitorial](https://www.dscsolutionsfm.co/sops/operations-janitorial?hsLang=en)
3. [Order Placement](https://www.dscsolutionsfm.co/sops/operations-janitorial?hsLang=en#order-placement)
# Second-Tier Approval Phase
**Applies to:**
• Senior Management
• Operations Leadership
• Inventory Manager (trigger only)
• Executive Team (for escalations)
#### **Purpose**
The second-tier approval phase exists to ensure that high-value, high-risk, equipment, or non-standard supply orders receive proper oversight before being placed. This phase protects budgets, ensures compliance with approved supply lists, and provides a management checkpoint for exceptions.
Second-tier approval is used **only when necessary** and is not part of the normal order flow.
If you have not reviewed the **Inventory Manager Review SLP**, please complete that first.
### **1. When Second-Tier Approval Is Required**
The Inventory Manager will escalate an order to second-tier approval when:
##### **• The order is above the dollar threshold**
(Threshold defined by DSC leadership)
##### **• The order is for equipment**
Equipment purchases always require management approval.
##### **• The items ordered are not on the approved supply list**
This prevents unverified or non-standard products from being purchased.
##### **• The order cannot be fully verified**
Examples:
• Incorrect supply type for customer
• Unusual quantity
• Residential consumables ordered for a commercial site
• Variations in dispenser compatibility
### **2. How Orders Enter the Second-Tier Approval Stage**
1. The **Inventory Manager** checks the “Second-Tier Approval Required” box.
2. The Inventory Manager **moves the card** into the **Second-Tier Approval** phase.
3. Pipefy **assigns the card** to the Senior Manager responsible for approvals.
4. The Senior Manager receives an **automatic email notification** with the order details.
At this point, the order is officially paused until management reviews it.
### **3. Responsibilities of the Senior Manager (Approver)**
When the card arrives in the second-tier approval phase, the Senior Manager must:
##### **Review the order in full:**
• Item list
• Costs
• Quantities
• Budget restrictions
• Compatibility with customer equipment
• Business justification
• Any notes left by the Inventory Manager
##### The Senior Manager will then select:
**• Approved**
**• Rejected**
**• Pending / Under Review**
### **4. Required Fields During Second-Tier Review**
The Senior Manager must complete:
##### **1. Decision Reason**
Clear explanation of why the order was approved, rejected, or placed under review.
##### **2. Follow-Up Actions (if applicable)**
These may include:
• Notify the supervisor
• Update the approved product database
• Add a new product permanently to prevent future approvals
• Request additional information
• Check budget exceptions
• Escalate to higher-level leadership if needed
##### **3. Escalations**
If the Senior Manager cannot reach a decision due to:
• high dollar amount
• policy constraints
• unclear justification
• customer contractual issues
They may escalate to executive leadership.
### **5. What Happens After the Decision**
##### **If Approved**
The Senior Manager moves the card to the **Order Placement** phase.
The system automatically:
• Notifies the Inventory Manager
• Notifies the requesting supervisor
• Confirms that the order is being placed
• Passes the order to the next video/SLP in the process (Order Placement)
##### **If Rejected**
The Senior Manager moves the card to the **Closed / Denied** phase.
The system automatically:
• Notifies the Inventory Manager
• Notifies the requesting supervisor
• Provides the reason for rejection
• Instructs the supervisor to correct and resubmit, if appropriate
##### **If Pending**
The Senior Manager selects **Pending / Under Review**.
This indicates:
• More info is needed
• Supervisor or Inventory Manager must clarify
• Senior Manager is waiting for additional approvals
The card remains in the Second-Tier Approval phase until resolved.
### **6. Summary of the Second-Tier Approval Phase**
**Triggered by:**
Inventory Manager only.
**Used for:**
• High-value orders
• Equipment
• Budget exceptions
• Non-approved products
• Any order requiring managerial oversight
**Approver Responsibilities:**
✓ Evaluate the order
✓ Provide decision and reasoning
✓ Add follow-up instructions
✓ Escalate when needed
✓ Move the card to the appropriate next phase
**Automations:**
✓ Senior Manager receives notification
✓ Supervisor receives approval/denial updates
✓ Inventory Manager receives updates
✓ System routes to next phase automatically
- [Operations – Janitorial](https://www.dscsolutionsfm.co/sops/operations-janitorial?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Customer Onboarding](https://www.dscsolutionsfm.co/sops/operations-janitorial?hsLang=en#customer-onboarding)
- [Order Placement](https://www.dscsolutionsfm.co/sops/operations-janitorial?hsLang=en#order-placement)
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