Applying Category Management to The Procurement Profession

I've recently been introduced to another Australian firm via my colleagues at ifindconsultants.com that is proposing the idea of using the category management structure (so often found in marketing organizations) within the procurement profession.

Overall I would say here in Canada we are still a community of procurement generalists (with some pockets of specialization) but I believe increasing returns from procurement will only be achievable through greater specialization.

As well, as we see the complexity of the procured goods and services increasing (such as with professional services), the procurement professionals here are being challenged to keep up with that complexity and have realized that generalization is not the path to get them there.

Apparently the same is the case in Australian procurement.

More on this category management development as it becomes available to me.