Supplier Relationship Management Practitioner

The programme

Programme overview

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.

Who should attend

Who is this programme for?

• 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

Learning outcomes

What you will learn

• 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

Explore the programme

Detailed programme outline

• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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

Learning approach

How you will learn

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.

Discuss your requirements

Dates, duration & arrangements

Contact Ratomac to confirm dates, duration, delivery format, entry requirements and any applicable assessment or certification before booking.