Introduction

In the ever-evolving world of procurement, category management stands out as a crucial strategy for streamlining processes and delivering value. This 5-day professional course is designed to provide comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in category management, helping procurement professionals to lead their organizations towards more strategic and effective purchasing decisions.

Objectives

• Understand the fundamentals of category management and its significance in procurement.
• Develop strategic insights for effective category planning and management.
• Learn to conduct spend analysis and market research for informed decision-making.
• Master the skills of supplier relationship management and negotiation.
• Implement effective performance measurement and management strategies.

Course Outlines

Day 1: Understanding Category Management

• Introduction to category management: Definition and benefits.
• Historical development and trends in category management.
• Understanding the role of a category manager in procurement.
• Overview of the category management process and lifecycle.
• Key differences between category management and traditional purchasing.

Day 2: Strategic Category Planning

• Identifying and defining procurement categories.
• Conducting a spend analysis to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Developing a category strategy aligned with organizational goals.
• Building a robust category plan framework.
• Case studies on successful category planning.

Day 3: Market Research and Analysis

• Methods and tools for effective market research.
• Analyzing market trends and supplier capabilities.
• Techniques for conducting a comprehensive SWOT analysis.
• Identifying risks and opportunities in the supplier market.
• Developing insights to inform category strategies.

Day 4: Supplier Relationship and Negotiation Management

• Building strong and strategic supplier relationships.
• Essential skills for effective negotiation and contract management.
• Implementing supplier performance and risk management strategies.
• Collaborating with suppliers for innovation and value creation.
• Managing supplier diversity and inclusion in category management.

Day 5: Performance Measurement and Continuous Improvement

• Setting and measuring key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Continuous improvement techniques in category management.
• Leveraging technology and data analytics for performance management.
• Reviewing and refining category management strategies.
• Case studies and real-world application of course concepts.