Written by Marijn Overvest | Reviewed by Sjoerd Goedhart | Fact Checked by Ruud Emonds | Our editorial policy
11 Best Category Management Courses in 2025
- The best category management courses teach category strategy from spend analysis to supplier segmentation to value delivery, which you can measure within a quarter
- They include live or practical work, such as playbooks, templates, and case work, which you can reuse with your categories
- They cover cross-functional alignment, stakeholder mapping, and change tactics so strategies actually get adopted
Category management turns scattered buying into focused strategies that lower total cost, reduce risk, and unlock supplier value.
The right course makes this practical. It should give you a simple strategy flow, ready templates, and a review rhythm you can run with stakeholders and suppliers. Below, we will list the strongest options for 2025, then help you choose based on time, level, and goals.
Best Category Management Course
1. Category Management in Procurement
Platform: Procurement Tactics
Invest in our course to help you:
- Master the basics of category management and its important role in procurement.
- Understand the 4Ps of category management to develop effective strategies.
- Apply the 9 steps of category management to streamline your procurement processes.
- Enhance your strategies with insights into product positioning in category management.
- Communicate product categories effectively to align with your company’s objectives.
- Use advanced analysis techniques to better position your products and navigate market complexities.
- Set clear goals in category management to drive the success of your strategies.
- Implement proven tactics to boost the performance of your category strategies.
- Overcome challenges in category management to optimize procurement outcomes.
- Present your category strategies effectively to stakeholders to ensure alignment and support.
- This course will help you develop category management skills that will help you position your products better. After taking this course, you will be able to overcome market challenges and leverage your strengths to maximize the impact of your category strategies.
Lesson preview of this course
How much does this course cost?
Is this a certification program?
Course duration and number of lessons?
What expertise level is this course for?
Reviews
I took the Category Management Course to learn more about how it works in my procurement job. The course was even better than I expected. It covered everything about Category Management, starting from the basics to how to use it in real situations and what might happen in the future.
The best part for me was in Module 3, where they showed, step by step, how to make a Category Management strategy. It was super helpful, and the things I learned have made my job better. The course instructors did a great job of explaining things clearly, and I think anyone who wants to be the best at Category Management should take this course.
2. Wu Tae-Gwan
I just finished the Category Management Course, and I must say it was an excellent learning experience. The course is designed to boost your skills in categorizing products and managing procurement expenditures, and it does just that. It’s well-organized, easy to understand, and the way they teach is engaging.
I learned a lot from the parts about what category management is, the role of a Category Manager, and how to deal with challenges. Now, I feel more sure about using category management in my everyday work.
The best thing about this course is that it’s practical. They guide you through the steps of applying category management in your company and creating your own plan. They also talk about common problems and how to work better with suppliers. This makes you ready to handle issues when doing procurement.
Read more of our clients’ reviews here
2. Value Chain Analysis Course
Platform: Procurement Tactics
Invest in our course to help you:
- Map the end-to-end value chain for your category so you can see where cost, time, and risk accumulate.
- Break down costs across primary and support activities to reveal “should-cost” gaps and value-creation levers.
- Link findings to category strategy decisions such as make-vs-buy, sourcing options, supplier segmentation, and governance.
- Prioritize initiatives that move KPIs within a quarter, including TCO, service level, and working-capital impact.
- Design supplier interventions that tie into SRM plans, co-innovation, process changes, corrective actions, and incentives.
- Build one-page value-chain visuals and benefits cases you can present to stakeholders during strategy approval.
Lesson preview of this course
How much does this course cost?
Is this a certification program?
Course duration and number of lessons?
What expertise level is this course for?
Reviews
Before taking this course, value chain analysis felt like a confusing puzzle to me. This course provided the missing pieces! The instructors broke down the concepts into manageable steps and provided clear explanations tailored to the industry. I now feel empowered to analyze our supply chain strategically and identify areas for improvement in cost, quality, and delivery times. This course is a game-changer for procurement professionals in the field.
★★★★★
2. Aurille Vega
As a procurement consultant, I always strive to stay ahead of the curve. This course offered a valuable refresher on value chain analysis and exposed me to new best practices. The course materials are top-notch, and the instructors are true experts in the field. This investment in my knowledge will benefit my clients for years to come.
★★★★★
Read more of the reviews here
3. Annual Procurement Strategy Course
Platform: Procurement Tactics
Invest in our course to help you:
- Build a clear annual procurement plan using a proven 5-step action flow: align → analyze (external/internal) → plot suppliers → set KPIs → execute.
- Align procurement with business strategy so category and supplier objectives ladder up to company goals.
- Run a practical PESTEL external scan and internal analytics (spend, contracts, suppliers) to find risks, opportunities, and savings levers.
- Plot categories and suppliers with Kraljic and Gelderman to choose the right tactics by quadrant (leverage, strategic, bottleneck, routine).
- Define a focused KPI set (TCO, contract coverage, payment terms, supplier rating, value-chain levers) you can track quarterly.
- Map stakeholders, set roles (prep/review/approve/implement), and build a governance cadence that keeps delivery on track.
- Convert insights into a one-page action plan with timelines, owners, and quantified benefits.
Lesson preview of this course
How much does this course cost?
Is this a certification program?
Course duration and number of lessons?
What expertise level is this course for?
Reviews
1 . Jamie
After completing the Annual Procurement Strategy Course, I’ve seen substantial improvements in our procurement processes. The instructors are knowledgeable, and the course materials are extremely relevant. Highly recommend it for any procurement professional looking to up their game!
★★★★★
2. Sofia
The Annual Procurement Strategy Course offered great insights into the latest industry trends and techniques. My only wish was for more interactive content, but the downloadable tools are very useful.
★★★★
Read more of the reviews here
4. Category Management Advanced Online Public Course
Platform: Positive Purchasing
Invest in this course to help you:
- Build full category strategies using the 5i process from framing to implementation
- Run cross-functional projects with clear roles, stakeholder maps, and comms plans
- Find quick wins fast with Day One Analysis and opportunity scans
- Model costs with price breakdowns and should-cost to challenge supplier quotes
- Use market tools like PESTLE and Five Forces to read external pressure on price and risk
- Segment suppliers with Kraljic and supplier preferencing to set the right approach
- Turn analysis into a one-page strategy and phased plan with KPIs and benefits tracking
- Embed sustainability in the category plan using practical levers and governance
- Manage risk with contingency actions and simple project controls
- Apply AI for fact-finding and research to speed up your strategy work
How much does this course cost?
Is this a certification program?
Course duration and number of lessons?
- Six online workshops of 3.5 hours each over three weeks
- Dates 1–2, 8–9, 22–23 September 2025
- Instructor-led with tools, cases, and exercises
What expertise level is this course for?
Reviews
5. Category Management
Platform: GLOMACS (five-day interactive training, classroom or live online)
Invest in this course to help you:
- Apply a structured category management method to maximize value from procurement and the supply chain
- Segment suppliers and categories using practical models and selective inventory control
- Map the total cost of ownership to sourcing choices and business requirements
- Build a category plan with clear value levers, risk controls, and implementation steps
- Strengthen stakeholder engagement through cross-functional teaming and governance
- Tackle barriers to adoption with change practices and quick-win opportunities
- Improve buying outcomes with price and cost analysis, EOQ thinking, and portfolio reviews
- Link category strategies to supply chain excellence, sustainability goals, and long-term competitiveness
How much does this course cost?
- Classroom price typically 5,950 USD in Dubai or London cohorts
- Live online price 3,950 USD
Is this a certification program?
Course duration and number of lessons?
Five days of instructor-led
Daily flow:
- Day 1: Understanding procurement and category management, grouping models, and selective inventory control
- Day 2 Value improvement using category management, Procurement Excellence Roadmap, opportunity work
- Day 3 Supplier sourcing and selection, value and risk analysis, portfolio analysis
- Day 4: Barriers to category management, overcoming challenges, EOQ, criticality analysis, and selective inventory control
- Day 5: Supply chain strategy and excellence, re-engineering end-to-end flows, linking category management to shareholder value
What expertise level is this course for?
Ideal for procurement, buyers, and purchasing professionals who need to maximize value from procurement and manage risk, cost, and service across categories. Suitable for teams starting formal category management or seeking a refresh with hands-on tools.
Reviews
No public reviews listed.
6. Category Management in Procurement
Platform: EuroMaTech (five-day intensive, classroom or live online)
Invest in this course to help you:
- Turn category management into a strategic lever for cost, risk, and value
- Segment spend and define clear categories aligned to business goals
- Build sourcing strategies using data, market insight, and supplier evaluation
- Strengthen supplier development, partnerships, and service level management
- Use negotiation, tendering, and performance tracking to lift results
- Measure benefits and communicate progress across the business
- Embed responsible procurement and CSR in category plans
How much does this course cost?
- Classroom 5,950 USD
- Live online 3,950 USD
Is this a certification program?
Course duration and number of lessons?
- Day 1: The basis of procurement management and supply segmentation
- Day 2 Category management fundamentals, segmenting spend, value unlocks
- Day 3 Supplier evaluation, alliances, development, pricing approaches, leverage
- Day 4: Managing partnerships and non-critical suppliers, SLAs, corrective actions, negotiation
- Day 5: Making it happen, senior buy-in, benefits measurement, communication, global and CSR considerations
What expertise level is this course for?
Reviews
7. Strategic Sourcing and Category Management
Platform: Commerce Edge (2-day online, case-study driven)
Invest in this course to help you:
- Align sourcing to business goals and unlock value beyond price
- Segment spend into actionable groups and focus cross-functional teams on priorities
- Build a fact base with spend analysis, supply base reviews, TCO, and cost drivers
- Reposition commodities using clear strategic levers and opportunity pipelines
- Create category strategies and business plans you can implement right away
- Measure savings rigorously and set up the infrastructure for sustainable delivery
How much does this course cost?
Is this a certification program?
Course duration and number of lessons?
- Two days live online
- Practical, facilitator-led sessions with case studies and group work
- Core coverage includes total cost reduction, segmentation models, cross-functional team setup, spend and supplier analysis, commodity repositioning, 50+ opportunity levers, category strategies and business plans, and implementation infrastructure
What expertise level is this course for?
Reviews
“It is a fulfilling learning experience that I can’t be thankful enough for.
2. Hemrajh Buldeo, Commodity Specialist
“Very in-depth knowledge with realistic, practical examples. Motivational facilitation.”
8. Category Management Program — Level 1 (Basics)
Platform: CMKG Online (self-paced)
Invest in this course to help you:
- Build a solid foundation in the full category management process
- Apply retail and CPG concepts like roles, strategies, tactics, and assessments
- Strengthen analytics with practical work on data, limited-data scenarios, and decision making
- Turn insights into clear communication with focused PowerPoint and Excel skills
- Finish with a complete category plan you can present with confidence
How much does this course cost?
- $498 USD promotional price
- List price $698 USD
Is this a certification program?
Course duration and number of lessons?
- About 30 to 35 hours total
- 365 days of access
- 12 on-demand courses
- Curriculum includes Category Management Overview, Retailer Strategy, Category Definition and Segmentation, Category Roles, Category Strategies, Understanding and Using Data, Category Tactics and Analytics, Completing a Category Assessment, Category Management on Limited Data, Developing and Implementing a Category Plan, Building PowerPoint and Presentation Skills, and Building Excel Skills
- Available in Spanish
What expertise level is this course for?
Reviews
9. Category Management Programs — Levels 1 and 2 (Foundational + Intermediate)
Platform: CMKG Online (self-paced)
Invest in this course to help you:
- Master the category management process from the basics to the intermediate level
- Build strong analytics across POS, panel, pricing, promotion, assortment, and space
- Create full category assessments and plans that align with retailer’s strategy
- Strengthen communication with fact-based selling and presentation skills
- Apply store clustering and category health diagnostics to drive results
How much does this course cost?
- $698 USD promotional price
- List price $999 USD
Is this a certification program?
- You earn CMKG certificates of completion for Levels 1 and 2.
- Note: If you are preparing for Category Management Association exams, CMKG suggests the separate Level 1 and 2 Certification Prep Package for $169 USD.
Course duration and number of lessons?
- About 55 to 65 hours total
- 365 days of access
- Curriculum includes all Level 1 modules plus Level 2 topics
- Level 2 highlights Panel data, POS data, measuring category health, efficient assortment, pricing strategies, promotion analysis, advanced analytics relativity, fact-based selling, space management fundamentals, store clustering, retailer economics, and the product supply chain
- Optional case studies available for purchase
What expertise level is this course for?
Reviews
10. Category Management Workshops
Platform: NielsenIQ workshops worldwide
Invest in this course to help you:
- Build end-to-end category plans using the classic eight-step process
- Make smarter assortment decisions with efficient assortment methods and real cases
- Improve shelf performance with space planning, planograms, and Perfect Shelf for Spaceman users
- Strengthen price and promotion strategy using simulators and behavioral insights
- Apply shopper-centric thinking across missions, decision trees, clustering, and omnichannel journeys
- Translate insights into action with joint trade processes for retailers and manufacturers
How much does this course cost?
Is this a certification program?
Course duration and number of lessons?
- Workshops run throughout the year via a global calendar.
- Most sessions are 1 to 2 days and are highly practical with case studies, exercises, and tool walkthroughs.
- Tracks include Practical Category Management, Shopper Centric Category Management, Efficient Assortment, Impactful Space Management, Price and Promotion Management, E-commerce 1.0 and 2.0, Omnichannel Category Management, Perfect Shelf, Revenue Management Optimization, and an introductory Category Management workshop.
- Training is led by NIQ experts such as Peter Wong, Chryssa Asmatzi, Annie Muñoz, Vivian Wong, and Jana Volovika.
What expertise level is this course for?
Reviews
- “The workshop was the perfect balance of theory, examples, and exercises. I left with ideas I can apply immediately.” – Anonymous
- “The best category management workshop I have attended. Practical, well-paced, and highly relevant.” – Anonymous
11. Category Management Training
Platform: Unichrone (online or group, Egypt and other locations)
Invest in this course to help you:
- Learn the full category management process from definition to tactics and performance review
- Build strategies for assortment, pricing, promotion, and supplier management using case studies and role plays
- Strengthen analytics for spend, TCO, supplier cost drivers, and performance measurement
- Practice negotiation and communication so you can align stakeholders and suppliers
- Prepare for the included certification exam with mock tests and structured study materials
How much does this course cost?
Is this a certification program?
Course duration and number of lessons?
- 1 day instructor-led training
- Online classroom or group delivery
Course materials and exam included
- Exam details
- 30 multiple-choice questions
- 60 minutes
- Passing score 70%
- Exercises, scenarios, role plays, and quizzes
What expertise level is this course for?
Reviews
Conclusion
Category management is only useful when it turns into real plans and reviews with your stakeholders and suppliers. The courses above all teach strategy, but they differ in terms of time, level, and the degree of hands-on involvement. If you want a fast start, pick a short, practical program with templates you can reuse this quarter.
If you want a deeper overhaul, choose an instructor-led option with cases, team exercises, and a clear pathway from analysis to implementation. If you need a credential, confirm the certificate or accreditation before you enroll.
If you are leading a procurement team and want a structured path, our Category Management Course gives you a complete workflow from the 4Ps and nine-step process to goal setting, tactics, and presenting a plan that wins support.
Frequentlyasked questions
How do I choose the right category management course?
Match the course to your goal and constraints. Look at the time to complete, delivery style, depth of analytics, and the certificate you will earn. Prioritize courses that include templates, a one-page strategy format, and a review cadence you can run every quarter.
What should I expect to learn, beyond theory?
A useful course gives you a repeatable flow. Spend and market insight, supplier segmentation, value levers, risk plan, one-page strategy, implementation roadmap, KPIs, and a simple review rhythm with stakeholders and suppliers.
Do these courses include a certificate?
Most provide a certificate of completion. A few carry CPD or similar accreditation. If you need a recognized credential, check the program page and fine print before enrolling.
About the author
My name is Marijn Overvest, I’m the founder of Procurement Tactics. I have a deep passion for procurement, and I’ve upskilled over 200 procurement teams from all over the world. When I’m not working, I love running and cycling.
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