Category Management

Category Management is a strategic approach to procurement, which effectively bundles the wide range of products and services we buy into discrete groups of similar or related products. This enables category managers to focus their time and conduct in depth market analysis to fully leverage their procurement decisions on behalf of the whole University. The results can be significantly greater than traditional transactional based purchasing methods.

In short, the Category Management team defines and sets the overall strategy for all major categories of spend in terms of what we buy, how we buy it and who we buy it from. The team works in partnership with relevant stakeholders, performs category planning, strategic sourcing, supplier performance and contract management for all associated categories. Activities can include, but not limited to;

  • Strategic Sourcing:
    • Analysis – opportunity, demand, spend, market, cost drivers
    • Market engagement
    • Negotiation
  • Category Management:
    • Industry and risk analysis
    • Contract management
    • Benefits realisation
    • Continuous improvement
    • Benchmarking
    • Supplier management

The team can assist with;

  • Obtaining quotes
  • Procurement plans
  • Sole supplier procurement
  • Tendering and RFx processes

IT Procurement

The Office of Procurement Services (OPS) is responsible for end to end acquisition and asset management on behalf of the university. We provide accurate advice and expertise in the key areas of procurement, deployment, disposal and IT asset management. This includes computer hardware, software, printing devices and related IT equipment. Our aim is to provide the University's Schools, Institutes and Divisions with complete IT solutions to fulfil their business needs.

The IT Leasing Policy, Corporate Credit Card Policy, Purchasing Procedures (opens in a new window) and other University policies and procedures apply.

Contact:

For all enquires please contact us via the General Enquiries form on the WesternNow Staff Portal. Your enquiry will be triaged by the Procurement and Corporate Services team and directed via WesternNow to the appropriate team member to action.