Category Management
As expectations for procurement continue to rise, organizations must develop the necessary capabilities, processes, and sustainability to better align with their overall vision and objectives. Category management is a strategic approach that enables procurement to transition from a traditional to a more strategic model, resulting in increased stakeholder alignment and greater long-term vision for sourcing opportunities. With a category management-driven approach, companies can achieve increased spend under management and gain a higher profile within their organization.
As expectations for procurement continue to rise, organizations must develop the necessary capabilities, processes, and sustainability to better align with their overall vision and objectives. Category management is a strategic approach that enables procurement to transition from a traditional to a more strategic model, resulting in increased stakeholder alignment and greater long-term vision for sourcing opportunities. With a category management-driven approach, companies can achieve increased spend under management and gain a higher profile within their organization.
However, making this transformation can be challenging. At Escala, we work closely with our clients to guide them through their category management journey. We provide the necessary capabilities, tools, and services to help organizations develop the governance, communication, and change management strategies needed to build a sustainable category management organization. By doing so, our clients can shift their focus from piece-price reduction to generating total business value.
Why it’s important
Reach
Strong, collaborative stakeholder planning increases the relevance of procurement
Category management increases the strategic focus of procurement, which drives significant benefits for the business and aligns business objectives directly to procurement objectives
Effectiveness
Strategic planning across the entire procurement life cycle of a category drives prioritized options and increases overall procurement results
Commitment to category expertise and intelligence increases the procurement function’s ability to influence supplier and category decisions, using accurate insights and recommendations
A more structured category management-driven approach helps increase value capture, minimize implementation risks and achieve higher compliance
Efficiency
A consistent category management methodology and toolset establish alignment with stakeholders, and drive timely collaboration and anticipation of business needs
Improved planning results in clearer, rolling forecasting and a continual flow of prioritized procurement projects
Services
Category Management Governance
Category Management Methodology & Tools
Category Strategy/Plan Development
Stakeholder Management
Market Intelligence & Spend Analytics