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Supplier Relationship Management Practitioner

Mastering Supplier Relationships for Strategic Business Advantage

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Platform:
Online
In-class
Date Venue Duration
28 - 30 October 2026 Sandton, Gauteng 3 Days
07 - 09 December 2026 Sandton, Gauteng 3 Days
15 - 17 February 2027 Sandton, Gauteng 3 Days
31 March - 02 April 2027 Sandton, Gauteng 3 Days
10 - 12 May 2027 Sandton, Gauteng 3 Days

Course Introduction

Most organisations still treat suppliers as line items to be negotiated down rather than partners who can be developed. That distinction shows up fastest during a disruption — the businesses with genuine supplier relationships get advance warning and priority allocation; the ones with purely transactional relationships get the same treatment as everyone else scrambling for the same scarce capacity. 

 

This course builds the practical skills to make that shift real: segmenting your supplier base so you invest relationship effort where it actually pays off, setting up performance and risk frameworks that catch problems early rather than after the fact, and negotiating and collaborating in ways that turn key suppliers into genuine sources of innovation and resilience rather than just cost centres. You’ll leave with frameworks and tools you can apply to your own supplier base immediately, not just case studies from someone else’s industry.

Course Objectives

By the end of this SRM Practitioner course, participants will be able to:
  • Grasp the strategic significance and core principles of Supplier Relationship Management
  • Segment and classify suppliers for targeted relationship strategies
  • Design and implement robust SRM frameworks aligned with organisational goals
  • Apply performance metrics and KPIs to drive supplier accountability
  • Proactively identify and manage supplier risks and conflicts
  • Harness technology, digital tools, and AI-driven insight to optimise supplier interactions
  • Negotiate and communicate more effectively to strengthen long-term partnerships

Who should attend?

  • Procurement and Supply Chain Managers
  • Supplier/Vendor Relationship Managers
  • Contracting and Purchasing Officers
  • Operations and Logistics Managers
  • Business Leaders Engaging with Suppliers
  • Professionals Responsible for Supplier Performance and Risk Management
  • Candidates Working Toward the Occupational Certificate: Supply Chain Practitioner
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Training Methodology

Our diverse instructional approaches ensure effective learning:

– Lectures & Presentations: Engage with expert-driven, stimulating content.
– Course Material: Access well-crafted supporting resources.
– Group Work: Collaborate on discussions and case studies for practical insights.
– Workshops & Role-Play: Participate in immersive, scenario-based activities.
– Practical Application: Focus on applying theoretical knowledge in real situations.
– Post-Training Support: Receive extensive support after training for skill implementation.

Training Outline

Day 1: Foundations and Strategy
Module 1: Foundations of Supplier Relationship Management
  • Understanding SRM: definition, purpose, and value in the modern enterprise
  • The role of SRM within integrated supply chain strategy
  • Key principles: collaboration, value creation, and risk reduction
  • Supplier segmentation: value/risk analysis, the Kraljic Matrix, and ABC analysis
  • Differentiating strategic and tactical supplier relationships
Module 2: SRM Strategy Development & Governance
  • Aligning SRM with business objectives and stakeholder expectations
  • Roles, responsibilities, and governance in supplier management
  • Establishing supplier evaluation and selection criteria
  • Conducting supplier due diligence and risk assessments
  • Building the foundation for long-term partnerships
Day 2: Performance, Risk, and Collaboration
Module 3: Performance Management & Risk Mitigation
  • Setting clear expectations, service levels, and KPIs
  • Continuous improvement and corrective action plans
  • Addressing and remedying underperformance
  • Identifying and mitigating operational, financial, and geopolitical risks
  • Ensuring supply chain continuity and resilience
Module 4: Collaboration, Innovation & Advanced Negotiation
  • Developing a partnership mindset and fostering trust
  • Joint problem-solving, innovation, and value co-creation
  • Negotiation techniques for win-win supplier agreements
  • Managing disputes and turning conflict into collaboration
  • Case studies: real-world supplier collaboration success stories
Day 3: Future Trends and Digital Transformation
Module 5: Future Trends & Digital Transformation in SRM
  • Leveraging AI, automation, and blockchain in supplier management
  • E-procurement platforms and SRM technology solutions
  • SRM's evolving role in global and digital supply chains
  • Integrating sustainability, ESG, and regulatory requirements
  • Adapting to economic and geopolitical change: emerging best practices

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FAQs – Supplier Relationship Management Practitioner

Master supplier segmentation, joint value creation, performance scorecards, and collaborative risk management to transform vendor interactions into strategic business partnerships.

What topics are covered in the Supplier Relationship Management Practitioner course?
The course covers supplier segmentation strategies (Kraljic Matrix), governance frameworks, performance management and KPI balanced scorecards, strategic supplier collaboration, risk identification, joint value creation, and dispute prevention mechanisms.
Who should attend the Supplier Relationship Management Practitioner training?
This practitioner-level course is designed for vendor managers, category managers, procurement leaders, supply chain executives, contract managers, and strategic sourcing leads who manage critical third-party relationships.
What are the key learning objectives of this SRM course?
Delegates learn to categorize vendors based on risk and spend, build collaborative joint business plans, establish robust SRM governance structures, drive continuous supplier innovation, and mitigate vendor operational and financial risks.
How long is the Supplier Relationship Management Practitioner course?
The programme is delivered as an intensive 5-day practitioner workshop incorporating supplier segmentation mapping, scorecards drafting clinics, and real-world relationship management case studies.
What practical skills will delegates gain from this masterclass?
Participants will gain practical skills in building tailored vendor scorecards, conducting structured supplier review meetings, negotiating joint value-creation projects, conducting vendor risk audits, and managing non-performing strategic partners.
Can Prospen Africa deliver this course as customized in-house training?
Yes. Prospen Africa can customize the workshop around your organization's key supplier portfolios, existing vendor management policies, internal evaluation metrics, and strategic procurement goals.

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