Category Management & Plan

Program Overview

Category Management & Plan

Program Presentation

The Category Management & Plan program provides participants with a structured method for analyzing each key purchasing category and generating a plan for efficient management. The program focuses on developing a Category Plan for a critical family of products in the participant's company, for subsequent implementation and communication both internally and externally (supplier markets).

Objectives

The program aims to develop the participant's competencies and skills to:

• Elaborate the Category Plan for a critical family of products
• Segment purchasing families with criteria for impact on the business
• Analyze the supplier market using market intelligence techniques
• Negotiate with powerful suppliers in complex markets
• Anticipate changes in the environment and evolution of raw materials, investment, and services markets
• Evaluate risk in the supplier market and establish contingency plans
• Convince stakeholders of the benefits of adopting a new way of participating in the category

Program Details

• Duration: 2 months
• Modality: 75% on-campus, 25% online
• Hours: 33
• Schedule: Check calendar
• Price: 2,800€
• City: Barcelona and Madrid

Why Study at IQS

• Learn by doing a Category Plan
• Compatible with your professional and personal schedule
• Excellent "practitioner" faculty
• Recognized and prestigious among professionals

Program Design

• The program is part of the Master's in Strategic Purchasing Management, which consists of a postgraduate degree and independent focused programs. Upon completion of all programs, participants receive the Master's degree.
• The program is semi-presential, with on-campus sessions and online synchronous videoconferences.
• The program includes a project that participants will develop during the program, applying the concepts learned to a real-world scenario.

Faculty

• Jordi Civit Garcés
• Juan Carlos Balbás Plaza

FAQs

• What should I do to register?
  • Fill out the registration form.
• Can I benefit from any aid?
  • Yes, if the tuition fee is paid by the participant or their company.
• Can my company benefit from any discount?
  • Yes, if certain circumstances are met (e.g., being a member of the IQS Business Foundation, having previously trained employees at IQS Executive Education).
• Is the program eligible for funding by the Fundae (Tripartita)?
  • Yes, the program meets the requirements for funding.

Plan of Studies

• Fundamentals of Category Management Plan, preparation
• Category Overview to understand the category in-depth
• Supply Market Overview, understanding the category market
• Category Analysis incorporating constraints and restrictions
• Category Management Plan, the roadmap for a new way of managing
• Presentation and defense of the plan, communication to stakeholders

Additional Information

• The program is part of the Master's in Strategic Purchasing Management.
• The program is semi-presential, with on-campus sessions and online synchronous videoconferences.
• The program includes a project that participants will develop during the program, applying the concepts learned to a real-world scenario.
• The program is eligible for funding by the Fundae (Tripartita).

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The program, "Category Management & Plan," is a focused program within the larger "Master en Dirección de Compras Estratégicas" (Master in Strategic Purchasing Management). It aims to equip participants with a structured methodology for analyzing and managing key purchasing categories efficiently. The program emphasizes evidence-based decision-making, moving away from intuition and time-constrained purchasing practices. It promotes interdepartmental projects led or coordinated by the purchasing department, overcoming internal resistance. The program focuses on:

• Differentially analyzing each key purchasing category.

• Developing a Category Plan for a critical family of products within the participant's company.

• Implementing and communicating the Category Plan internally and externally (supplier markets).

The program provides a new perspective on cost reduction, shifting the focus from product nature to market dynamics and business impact.

Outline:

Program Structure:

• The "Category Management & Plan" program is a part of the "Master en Dirección de Compras Estratégicas" (Master in Strategic Purchasing Management).
• It is a focused program within the Master, meaning it can be taken independently or as part of the larger Master program.
• The Master program consists of a postgraduate program and independent focused programs.
Completing all components leads to the Master's degree.
• The Master program includes:
• Posgrado en Gestión Estrategica de Compras (MIP) (Postgraduate in Strategic Purchasing Management)
• Programa Enfocado en Liderazgo, influencia y habilidades comunicativas en Compras (Focused Program in Leadership, Influence, and Communication Skills in Purchasing)
• Programa Enfocado en Category Management & Plan (Focused Program in Category Management & Plan)
• Programa Enfocado en Gestión Relacional de Proveedores (SRM) & Plan (Focused Program in Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) & Plan)

Program Delivery:

• The "Category Management & Plan" program is delivered in a blended format, combining on-campus sessions and online synchronous video conferencing.
• The program duration is 2 months.
• The program schedule includes 33 hours of instruction, with a mix of 75% in-person and 25% online content.
• The online sessions are interactive and recorded for those who miss a session.

Program Content:

• Category Management:
• Fundamentals of the Category Management Plan, preparation
• Segmentation of the purchasing family portfolio
• Portfolio analysis to understand the category map
• Project Charter of the Category Plan
• Category Overview to understand the category in depth
• Background and recent history of the category
• Origin and analysis of spending
• Demand analysis
• Positioning on the category map
• Configuration and characteristics of the current supplier panel
• Porter's Five Forces model to establish competitive dynamics
• Market analysis and environmental evolution
• Key market players
• Category Analysis incorporating constraints and restrictions
• SWOT analysis of the category and its CAME model
• Key business drivers
• Cost of ownership and TCO analysis
• Risk management plan
• Category Management Plan, the roadmap for a new way of managing
• Category management
• Supplier panel
• Change management

Teaching:

Teaching Methods:

• The program utilizes a practical approach, emphasizing application of learned concepts to real-world scenarios.
• Participants work on a project during the program, aiming to:
• Ground the classroom learning and apply what they learn.
• Tangibilize the return on investment for the company in the participant's development.
• The program incorporates various dynamics to facilitate a practical, effective, and stimulating learning process.

Faculty:

• The program faculty includes:
• Jordi Civit Garcés (Program Director)

Other:

• The program is recognized and prestigious, endorsed by top professionals in the field.
• The program is compatible with professional and personal schedules.
• The program provides a certificate of completion upon successful completion.
• The program is eligible for Fundae (Tripartita) funding.