Category Management: Foundation Programme

Course Introduction

Delivered over five days, this foundation-level programme on Category Management combines concise technical input with hands-on application. It is built around sourcing, tendering and supplier management, so examples, exercises and discussion stay relevant to participants' daily work.

Training Objectives

• 01Describe how Category Management is defined, governed and measured in international practice
• 02Work through typical situations in sourcing, tendering and supplier management using structured Category Management techniques
• 03Recognise common risks, errors and non-conformities linked to Category Management — and how to prevent them
• 04Choose the right indicators and records to monitor Category Management over time
• 05Translate the course learning into a realistic plan agreed with your line manager

What You Will Take Away

• Worked examples using realistic regional scenarios
• A ready-to-use template pack for daily work
• A checklist of common pitfalls and how to avoid them

Who Should Attend

• Procurement & Purchasing Officers
• Supply Chain Managers
• Contracts Administrators
• Category & Sourcing Specialists

Prerequisites: No prior specialist knowledge is required.

Training Methodology

Sessions are paced for newcomers — plain-language explanations, worked examples and small-group practice — with time each day for questions. Case material and examples are drawn from sourcing, tendering and supplier management.

Day-by-Day Programme (5 Days)

• Day 1
  Getting oriented: the landscape of Category Management

  Scope, terminology and the standards and regulations that shape Category Management in sourcing, tendering and supplier management.

• Day 2
  Core concepts and methods

  The principles, codes and best-practice approaches that leading organisations rely on for Category Management.

• Day 3
  Applying it on the job

  Hands-on exercises using tools and templates for Category Management, built around realistic situations in sourcing, tendering and supplier management.

• Day 4
  Cases, risks and lessons learned

  Case studies, typical pitfalls and the risk and compliance issues that arise with Category Management.

• Day 5
  Bringing it together

  Consolidation workshop, personal action planning and a closing knowledge check on Category Management.

Upcoming Sessions