To use the lead time formula, you need to have reliable estimates of the lead time and the demand rate. These estimates can be obtained from historical data, market research, or supplier information. However, it is important to consider variability and uncertainty in these factors due to seasonality, trends, or unexpected events. To improve your estimates, add buffer time to the average delivery time that your supplier provides. For example, if your supplier says that the average delivery time is 8 days, you can use 10 days as your lead time estimate. Additionally, use a moving average of your sales data over a relevant period to capture the current demand pattern. You can also use a safety stock to add some extra inventory to your reorder point in case the demand rate or the lead time are higher than expected. The safety stock is calculated by multiplying the standard deviation of the demand rate or the lead time by a safety factor which depends on your desired service level. For example, if you want to have a 95% service level, meaning that you can meet 95% of the demand without running out of stock, you can use a safety factor of 1.65.