What is category management?

Category management techniques are used by companies to optimize the oversight and allocation of resources by organizing related products and resources into logical groups. This makes it easier to effectively manage these resources. Category management strategies are aimed at providing customers with what they want, where they want it, and when they want it. In order to achieve this, products are grouped into categories according to how they are used, consumed or purchased.

Category management in procurement helps an organization retain a focus on the most important business categories, typically in terms of profits generated and/or resources used. Value-based categorization may be determined through ABC analysis. It can also help in strategic sourcing, an approach to supply chain management that helps leverage the company’s purchasing power and find the best possible values in the marketplace.

Essential elements for the success of category management

If done correctly, category management can deliver far-flung and immense value in procurement. However, implementing a successful category management strategy is easier said than done. The much far-reaching and broader scope of category management makes it imperative for enterprises to have the right foundational elements without which they will struggle to drive meaningful, long-term results:

Organizational design

Designing an effective and optimal procurement organization is a fundamental process that enables enterprises to meet their business and procurement needs. To achieve this, companies must consider a number of key factors including, ongoing category management program, CRM approach, centers of excellence (CoE), and tactical buy desks. Deploying shared service centers or procurement-led CoEs to assist with tactical spend activities is another option that can be considered. Most enterprises today even have a procurement BPO provider to support their tactical sourcing.

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