Name: Advanced Demand Planning & Forecasting for Supply Chain Optimization & Category Management Training Course
Rating: 4.7 (1076 reviews)

Scheduled Dates

07 - 11 Sep 2026

London - UK

$5,950

Why Choose this Training Course?

This training course equips supply chain and procurement professionals with the forecasting, inventory, and category strategies needed to drive end-to-end performance. Organisations today must predict demand accurately while sourcing and managing supplier categories intelligently to control cost, service level, and risk at the same time. This 5-day training course merges quantitative demand forecasting and S&OP integration with category management, supplier segmentation, and procurement excellence, giving participants one unified toolkit spanning both sides of the supply chain equation.

Participants will gain hands-on experience in statistical forecasting models, demand-driven inventory management, and AI-enabled demand sensing, alongside category grouping models, supplier portfolio analysis, and total cost of ownership techniques. By blending these two disciplines, this training course ensures that what is accurately forecast is also strategically sourced and categorised for maximum value. By the end of the training course, delegates will be able to enhance forecast accuracy, optimise inventory and category strategies, and implement an integrated demand-to-procurement framework that drives sustainable supply chain excellence.

This training course will highlight:

Integrated demand forecasting and category management frameworks for end-to-end optimization
Statistical and AI-driven forecasting techniques for accurate demand prediction
Category grouping, supplier segmentation, and total cost of ownership models
Alignment of demand planning with S&OP and procurement excellence roadmaps
Best practices for overcoming barriers in demand-driven, category-based supply chains

What are the Goals?

At the end of this training course, you will learn to:

Understand integrated demand planning and category management principles
Apply statistical and AI-based forecasting techniques
Develop category grouping and supplier segmentation strategies
Analyse total cost of ownership and value drivers
Design an integrated S&OP-category management framework

Who is this Training Course for?

This training course suits professionals working across demand planning and procurement functions. It benefits those seeking to align forecasting accuracy with strategic category and supplier management.

This training course is suitable to a wide range of professionals but will greatly benefit:

Supply chain and demand planning professionals
Procurement, purchasing and category management specialists
Inventory and operations managers
Data analysts supporting supply chain decisions
Business professionals in strategic sourcing and planning

How will this Training Course be Presented?

This highly interactive training course blends instructor-led presentations with real-world case studies drawn from demand planning and category management practice. Participants apply forecasting models and category grouping tools through hands-on exercises and class workshops. Group discussions and team assignments reinforce collaborative problem-solving across both disciplines. Knowledge assessments throughout the week consolidate learning and ensure practical application back in the workplace.

Organisational Impact

The Organisation will have the following benefits:

Improved forecast accuracy across supply chain operations
Stronger category strategies reducing procurement costs
Better alignment between demand planning and sourcing
Reduced excess stock and inventory shortages
Enhanced supplier segmentation and portfolio management
Greater overall supply chain and procurement excellence

Personal Impact

At the end of this training course, the participants will gain the following:

Advanced skills in forecasting and category management
Confidence applying statistical and AI-based tools
Ability to manage supplier segmentation and sourcing
Stronger grasp of total cost of ownership
Enhanced career prospects in supply chain roles
Practical frameworks to apply immediately at work

Daily Agenda

Day 1: Foundations of Demand Planning and Category Management

Introduction to demand planning and its role in supply chain management
Key components of the demand planning process
Types of demand forecasting models and their applications
Definition, evolution, and principles of category management
Models used in category grouping and classification
Managing selective inventory control within categories
Challenges in demand variability and category segmentation
Overview of demand-driven, category-based supply chain strategies

Day 2: Statistical Forecasting and Procurement Value Creation

Introduction to statistical forecasting methodologies
Regression analysis and its application in demand forecasting
Exponential smoothing and time-series forecasting techniques
Evaluating forecast accuracy and reliability
The Procurement Excellence Roadmap (PER) and value creation
Value improvement and value-adding through category management
Applying quantitative forecasting methods to procurement scenarios

Day 3: Inventory Optimization, Sourcing, and Supplier Selection

The link between demand forecasting and inventory optimization
Demand-driven inventory replenishment strategies
Traditional purchasing revisited: value and risk analysis
Best price evaluation and supplier sourcing/selection routes
Collaborative supplier management and Supplier Portfolio Analysis (SPfA)
Balancing stock levels to meet demand while minimizing costs
Data-driven approaches to inventory and category decision-making

Day 4: S&OP Integration and Overcoming Category Management Barriers

Understanding S&OP and its role in demand planning
Aligning demand planning and forecasts with business strategy and operations
Using demand forecasts to drive production and distribution planning
Key performance indicators (KPIs) for measuring S&OP and category management success
Common barriers and challenges in category management implementation
Managing price-sensitive products and economic order quantity
Criticality analysis and class work on Selective Inventory Control (SIC)

Day 5: Advanced Strategies for Demand Planning and Supply Chain Excellence

Exploring AI and machine learning applications in demand forecasting
Understanding external factors affecting demand and category decisions (economic trends, market shifts, disruptions)
Scenario planning and demand sensing for proactive forecasting
Rethinking and re-engineering end-to-end supply chains
Developing the supply chain strategy and supply chain strategy best practice
Implementing an integrated demand-to-category framework for long-term supply chain optimization and shareholder value

Certificate

Upon successful completion of this training course, delegates will be awarded an official PetroKnowledge Certificate of Completion, signed by the course facilitator. The certificate confirms successful participation and records the total learning hours completed.
Continuing Professional Education credits (CPE): In accordance with the standards of the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, one CPE credit is granted per 50 minutes of attendance.

Accreditation

Would an alternative date be more suitable?

We offer a variety of tailored training options, customized to meet your organisation's needs. Delivered anytime, anywhere, we make it easy to bring expert training directly to your team.

Related Categories

Procurement & Supply Chain

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

EUROPE

MIDDLE EAST

ASIA

NORTH AMERICA

AFRICA

Advanced Demand Planning & Forecasting for Supply Chain Optimization & Category Management

Leveraging Predictive Analytics, Integrated Planning & Category Strategies to Maximise Supply Chain Value