![](data:image/svg+xml,<svg display="block" id="2531834213" role="presentation" viewBox="0 0 36 36" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M 8.667 0 L 8.667 26 M 17.333 0 L 17.333 26 M 2.889 0 L 23.111 0 C 24.707 0 26 1.293 26 2.889 L 26 23.111 C 26 24.707 24.707 26 23.111 26 L 2.889 26 C 1.293 26 0 24.707 0 23.111 L 0 2.889 C 0 1.293 1.293 0 2.889 0 Z" fill="transparent" height="26px" id="lW5iyUDYU" stroke-dasharray="" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="rgb(0, 0, 0)" transform="translate(5 5)" width="26px"/></svg>)
What Is Category Management?
An approach where a contracting authority splits its total purchasing volume into categories, to work more strategically with how it buys.
What is category management?
Grouping an organisation's spend into categories, such as IT, facilities or consultancy, and managing each one strategically rather than procurement by procurement.
Why do public bodies use it?
To aggregate volumes, understand the market for each category, and plan procurements and contract renewals in a coordinated way.
What does it mean for suppliers?
Longer-term, larger contracts and buyers who understand their market better. It is worth knowing which category your offer falls into and who manages it.
