Purchasing at a Strategic Level

What to expect

This 3-day training combines theoretical insights with practical application. You study a case study beforehand and work in groups during the sessions to apply the concepts concretely. Each group presents its approach and insights, meaning you not only learn from the business trainer but also gain insights from your fellow participants from other sectors.

Upon completion, you will have a solid framework and practical tools to manage your purchasing categories structurally and strategically.

Specifically, in this course you will learn the 3 crucial pillars of strategic purchasing:

Category Management: learn how to structurally manage categories, develop strategies, and translate them into action plans.
Supplier Relationship Management: discover how to build sustainable relationships and systematically monitor supplier performance.
Value Chain Integration: gain insight into the entire value chain and learn how to smartly integrate costs, value, risks, and sustainability into your strategy.

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Why will this course help you advance?

Strategic purchasing means looking beyond mere cost savings. It is about smartly managing categories, building sustainable relationships with suppliers, and integrating the entire value chain.

In this training course, you will discover how to gain control over costs, value, and risks using Category Management, Supplier Relationship Management, and Value Chain Integration. You will learn to think in terms of long-term strategies and be provided with the right tools and templates to effectively execute those strategies. With this approach, you ensure that procurement not only provides operational support but becomes a true competitive asset within your organization.

For who

This course is aimed at professionals who want to translate their experience in commercial purchasing into a more strategic approach. For instance, this course has previously provided added value to purchasing professionals who want to take their purchasing categories to the next level, or for purchasing managers who want to introduce their team to the strategic framework of purchasing.

Program

Introduction: the procurement landscape

Core procurement processes
Procurement maturity

Introduction to Category Management

Category Management vs. Sourcing (Tactical Purchasing)
The category management process

The category management process – part 1

Scope and ambition

Determine the scope
Determining the impact of the category on the company
The stakeholders decide and mobilize the team
Opportunities and challenges
Developing a category charter
Discussion case

The Category Management Process – Part 2

Information and Analysis

Gathering and Understanding Information About Your Company
Gathering and Understanding Information About Your Supply Market
Value Chain Integration: Value Chain Analysis with VC Cost Analysis, Value Analysis, Risk Analysis, and Sustainability Analysis

Strategy and Plan

Combining Insights from Previous Steps
Defining a Multi-Year Strategy for the Category
Translating the Strategy into an Action Plan
Validating the Action Plan
Case Discussion

The category management process – part 3

Execution and delivery

Setting the strategy in motion
Businesspartnering
Achieving your strategic objectives through project management techniques
Discussion case

Measuring and reporting

Measuring and reporting the project results
Adjust strategy and implementation plan where necessary
Continuous improvement
Discussion case

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Move your expertise forward

At the Solvint Open Academy, you step into a learning environment built for ambitious professionals in Procurement, Supply Chain and negotiations. Each program blends strategic insight with real-world application, guided by expert practitioners who know the field from the inside out.

Very clear information on the best way to approach a negotiation - preparation is key!
Junior Buyer
Training “Professional Negotiation for Purchasers”

Gained new insights into how to identify - and, above all, leverage - more bargaining power in negotiations.
Category Buyer
Training “Strategic Negotiations with Powerful Suppliers”

It's great that there's a general explanation that focuses on certain key points - you really take those to heart, especially through your personal action plan.
Purchasing Manager
Training “Strategic Negotiations with Powerful Suppliers”

An excellent training program for those new to procurement. Clear structure of procurement flows.
Participant
Training "Tactical Procurement and Cost Analysis"

Useful templates, tips, and tricks that I can put to use every day. It also helps me take a more critical look at things and address anticipated risks in contracts.
Buyer
Training "Tactical Procurement and Cost Analysis"

It’s exactly the kind of supplement to my job that I was looking for. Terminology, dashboards, how-to, ...
Participant
Training "Tactical Procurement and Cost Analysis"

The depth of thorough preparation and a framework for approaching negotiations and staying in the lead
Tactical Buyer
Training “Professional Negotiation for Purchasers"

Finally, a practical framework for implementing a structured approach.
Category Manager
Training “Strategic Procurement”

Project management, various matrices for identifying priorities - I now have a solid foundation for implementing Category Management within my own work environment
Strategic Buyer
Training “Strategic Procurement”

Overall, it was very good and informative. The business game was a huge bonus!
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Supply Chain Manager
Training “Supply Chain Bootcamp”