What is Category Management and how DataKITE can help
Category management is a strategic approach to procurement that involves grouping similar goods or services together into categories and managing them as a single unit. This approach can help organizations streamline their procurement processes, negotiate better deals with suppliers, and ultimately save money.
Benefits of procurement category management
There are many benefits to using a procurement category management approach, including:
- Reduced costs: By grouping similar goods or services together, organizations can negotiate better deals with suppliers. Additionally, category management can help organizations to identify and eliminate waste and inefficiencies in their procurement processes.
- Improved quality: Category management can help organizations to improve the quality of the goods and services they procure by developing closer relationships with suppliers and by working with suppliers to develop and implement quality standards.
- Reduced risk: Category management can help organizations to reduce risk by identifying and mitigating potential supply chain disruptions. Additionally, category management can help organizations to develop contingency plans in case of supplier failure.
- Increased visibility: Category management can help organizations to gain greater visibility into their spending and to identify areas where savings can be achieved.
How to implement category management with DataKITE
To implement a procurement category management approach, organizations should follow these steps:
- Identify and segment their spend: Organizations should first identify and segment their spend into categories of similar goods or services. This can be done using a variety of factors, such as the type of product or service, the cost, the supplier, or the end-user.
- Develop a category strategy: For each category, organizations should develop a strategy that outlines their goals and objectives. This strategy should be aligned with the organization’s overall business strategy.
- Source and manage suppliers: Organizations should source suppliers for each category and manage those relationships effectively. This involves negotiating contracts, monitoring supplier performance, and developing contingency plans.
- Monitor and improve: Organizations should monitor the performance of their category management program and make improvements as needed. This includes tracking spending, measuring savings using DataKITE
Tips for successful procurement category management
Here are a few tips for successful procurement category management:
- Get buy-in from senior management: Procurement category management is a strategic approach that requires buy-in from senior management. Senior management must understand the benefits of category management and be willing to provide the necessary resources and support.
- Involve stakeholders: Procurement category management is a cross-functional process that involves stakeholders from across the organization. It is important to involve all relevant stakeholders in the process, including end-users, finance, and legal.
- Use data and analytics through DataKITE: Procurement category management should be data-driven. Organizations should use a data and analytics like DataKITE to inform their decisions about category strategy, supplier selection, and contract negotiation.
- Be flexible: The procurement landscape is constantly changing. Organizations must be flexible and adaptable in their approach to category management in order to remain competitive.
By following these tips, organizations can implement a successful procurement category management program that can help them to achieve their business goals.
If you want to learn more about how DataKITE can help your category management, clink on the link below.
“DataKITE is one of the best tools I’ve used for really powerful, insightful analysis and visuals.”
Jane Roberts
VP Procurement – Vision
