A procurement category manager is a purchasing professional in charge of a product or component category’s purchasing activities. Depending on the company and position, responsibilities may include locating suppliers, negotiating prices, and finalizing contracts. Researching market trends, maintaining supplier databases, and processing vendor payments are all common responsibilities.
A strategic model in which a company’s main products or purchasing needs are divided into groups based on similar features is known as category management. Soft drinks, grocery staples, and tobacco products, for example, might be found in a convenience store. Produce, spices, and packaging supplies are examples of purchasing categories in a food manufacturing plant. A procurement category manager is responsible for purchasing items that are required in a specific category. The produce buyer at the manufacturing plant, for example, looks for the best suppliers of whole fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, apples, and squash.
The procurement category manager is usually in charge of all vendor relations activities for a given category. This necessitates the manager interviewing potential supply sources, checking references, and, in many cases, verifying credit and insurance histories. The category manager obtains pricing from each viable source, negotiates purchasing terms, and signs contracts or agreements with the sources that have been chosen. He or she may also be required to create vendor profiles in the company’s accounting system, inspect received product for accuracy, and approve supplier invoices.
In many cases, a procurement category manager is in charge of keeping inventory levels in check. The manager must ensure that enough of each component product is available to meet production demands without tying up capital in excess inventory. Inventory management can be a difficult task, especially when dealing with perishable goods.
A procurement category manager may have a staff, depending on the size of the company. He or she would be in charge of personnel management duties like determining human capital needs, interviewing candidates, and hiring to fill open positions in this case. He or she would also be in charge of performance evaluations, staff development, and any potential actions.
A top procurement category manager is an expert in both his or her field and the category. He or she will most likely devote some time to researching industry best practices, networking with other procurement professionals, and reading current market news. He or she may also be responsible for conducting competitor research and attending professional development classes or seminars in order to keep up with changing market conditions and demands.