Role-Based Programme
RB1355

AI for Category Management

Advanced Spend Intelligence, Supplier Strategy & Category Value Optimisation

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Duration
32 Hours
Level
Advanced
Delivery
Instructor-Led
Format
Capability Development

Programme Objectives

  • Develop advanced capability to apply AI across category strategy, spend analysis, supply-market intelligence, supplier management, cost analysis, and value creation.
  • Use AI-assisted analysis to identify spend patterns, demand drivers, supplier-market dynamics, cost pressures, sourcing opportunities, and category risks.
  • Apply AI to category segmentation, supplier analysis, cost modelling, sourcing strategy, stakeholder alignment, negotiation preparation, and benefits tracking.
  • Use AI-assisted intelligence to improve category value, commercial outcomes, supplier resilience, cost efficiency, innovation, and management visibility.
  • Build responsible AI-enabled Category Management workflows with strong confidentiality, governance, validation, traceability, and human oversight.

Tools covered

Generative AI AssistantsAI Search & ResearchSpend AnalyticsCategory IntelligenceSupply Market AnalysisSupplier IntelligenceCost Driver AnalysisDemand AnalysisTotal Cost of OwnershipCategory Strategy DevelopmentSupplier Risk AnalysisNegotiation IntelligenceWorkflow AutomationAI AgentsDecision-Support Tools

Who should attend

  • Category Managers
  • Senior Category Managers
  • Procurement Managers
  • Strategic Sourcing Managers
  • Procurement Category Specialists
  • Category Analysts
  • Strategic Buyers
  • Procurement Analysts
  • Supplier Management Professionals
  • Commercial Procurement Professionals
  • Supply Market Intelligence Professionals
  • Procurement Excellence Professionals
  • Vendor Management Professionals
  • Procurement Transformation Professionals
  • Leaders Responsible for Category Strategy & Procurement Value

Prerequisites & Participant Readiness

  • Experience in category management, procurement, sourcing, purchasing, supplier management, or commercial operations
  • Familiarity with spend analysis, suppliers, sourcing strategies, RFx processes, negotiations, and category reviews
  • Basic awareness of Generative AI and common business applications
  • Comfort working with spend, supplier, market, commercial, and procurement information
  • No programming knowledge required

TOC Modules

Concepts
  • Understanding Generative AI, reasoning models, research, analytics, automation, and AI agents
  • Exploring AI applications across category strategy, spend analysis, supplier intelligence, and commercial decisions
  • Distinguishing AI-assisted category management from autonomous procurement decision-making
  • Understanding hallucinations, commercial confidentiality, evidence quality, and human accountability
Practical activities
  • Mapping AI opportunities across the Category Management lifecycle
  • Identifying activities suitable for augmentation, automation, or continued human ownership
  • Creating an AI opportunity map for Category Management teams

Scenarios

Fragmented High-Spend Category to Consolidated Category Strategy

Spend Analysis → Demand Patterns → Supplier Base → Supply Market → Cost Drivers → Segmentation → Strategy Options → Sourcing Roadmap

Participants use AI to analyse a fragmented high-spend category, identify consolidation and value opportunities, assess the supplier market, and create a structured category strategy.

Critical Category with Cost Inflation & Supply Risk to Resilience Plan

Market Trends → Cost Drivers → Supplier Exposure → TCO → Risk Analysis → Alternate Sources → Negotiation Levers → Category Action Plan

Participants use AI to analyse a critical category facing cost inflation and supply disruption risk, compare sourcing and commercial options, and build a balanced category strategy focused on value, resilience, and continuity.

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