Supplier Relationship Management & Strategic Sourcing Training Course

Course overview

Buying well is a transaction; managing suppliers well is a relationship that pays out over years. This course centers on the supply base itself and on how the organization works with the suppliers inside it over time. You begin by segmenting suppliers so that effort matches value, using the Kraljic portfolio matrix to tell strategic partners apart from routine and leverage suppliers. From there the work covers supplier selection and evaluation, the sourcing models that decide whether a category is single, dual, or multi-sourced, and the governance that keeps a key-supplier relationship productive after the contract is signed.

Strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management are treated as two halves of the same discipline: sourcing chooses the right suppliers, and SRM makes the most of them afterward. The course brings in supplier scorecards, joint business planning, ISO 44001 as a reference for structured collaboration, and the growing expectation that suppliers contribute to innovation and sustainability. Ongoing measurement carries into Supplier Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement, while here the emphasis stays on selecting, segmenting, and developing the relationships that create value beyond price.

Why this matters

Supply disruptions over recent years have shown the cost of treating suppliers as interchangeable. Organizations that had invested in a small number of strong relationships recovered faster, secured allocation when capacity was scarce, and got early warning of problems. Those that ran every category on lowest price alone found they had no goodwill to draw on. Segmentation and SRM are how a business decides where to build depth and where a transactional approach is fine.

The value at stake also reaches past unit price. A well-governed key supplier brings ideas that reduce total cost, shortens time to market on new products, and helps meet ESG commitments that increasingly include Scope 3 emissions in the supply base. Capturing that value takes more than good intentions; it takes segmentation, scorecards, joint planning, and a governance rhythm that both sides take seriously.

Course objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Segment the supply base by strategic value and risk exposure.
• Structure supplier evaluation with consistent, defensible criteria.
• Choose the number of sources each category truly needs.
• Negotiate supplier agreements that balance value and risk.
• Renew and track contract obligations after signature.
• Institute an SRM framework with defined review cadences.
• Partner with strategic suppliers toward shared goals.
• Broaden supplier relationships into sources of innovation and value.
• Direct SRM investment toward resilience and supply-base visibility.

Course outline

Unit 1: Introduction to SRM and Strategic Sourcing

• The link between sourcing choices and relationship depth.
• Supplier segmentation with the Kraljic portfolio matrix.
• Matching relationship intensity to segment value and risk.
• Where SRM sits within category management and procurement.

Unit 2: Supplier Selection and Evaluation

• Defining selection criteria for capability and stability.
• Weighted scoring for transparent, repeatable evaluation.
• Structured RFI, RFP, site visits, and reference checks.
• Onboarding and qualification steps ahead of the first order.

Unit 3: Strategic Sourcing Models

• Single, dual, and multi-sourcing across leverage and cost.
• Category-based sourcing tied to the Kraljic segment.
• Make-versus-buy and the role of framework agreements.
• Balancing supply security against consolidation of sources.

Unit 4: Negotiation and Contracting with Suppliers

• Preparing with BATNA and ZOPA for a workable settlement.
• Structuring terms, service levels, and Incoterms 2020.
• Building contracts that define measures and review points.
• Contract lifecycle management so obligations stay tracked.

Unit 5: Implementing SRM Frameworks

• Running supplier scorecards on OTIF and responsiveness.
• Governance tiers, review cadences, and escalation routes.
• ISO 44001 as a reference for collaborative relationships.
• Joint business planning built on shared goals and actions.

Unit 6: Driving Innovation and Sustainability with Suppliers

• Supplier-enabled innovation from early design to development.
• Sustainable supplier development guided by ISO 20400.
• Addressing Scope 3 emissions through supplier engagement.
• Incentive structures that reward improvement over price.

Unit 7: Future of Supplier Relationships and Sourcing

• Digital SRM and source-to-pay platforms at scale.
• Building resilience and supply-base visibility against risk.
• Measuring relationship value beyond savings alone.
• Developing the team and capabilities that mature SRM.

How the course is delivered

The course runs as expert-led discussion supported by worked examples and guided walkthroughs of documented supplier relationships. Participants review segmentation grids, scorecards, and governance models using ready-made templates, and apply structured exercises built around realistic supplier scenarios. The emphasis is on tools that participants can take straight back into their own supply base.

Who should attend

This course suits professionals who select, segment, and govern the supply base:

• Supplier and vendor relationship managers responsible for key accounts.
• Strategic sourcing and category managers shaping sourcing strategy.
• Procurement managers segmenting and rationalizing the supply base.
• Supply chain managers governing strategic and critical suppliers.
• Commercial managers driving supplier innovation and value.

About EuroQuest International Training

EuroQuest International Training was founded in 2015 and delivers more than 1000 courses to over 15,000 participants. Its delivery hubs include Dubai, London, Barcelona, Istanbul, Vienna, Paris, and Geneva, with courses built for working professionals across procurement and supply chain roles.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a strategic sourcing background before taking this course?

No. The course introduces segmentation, sourcing models, and SRM governance from the beginning and explains each concept as it is used. Experience in buying or supplier management helps you apply the material to your own categories, but it is not a prerequisite.

How does this course relate to supplier performance monitoring?

This course focuses on selecting, segmenting, and developing suppliers and on the relationship over its life. Detailed ongoing measurement and continuous improvement of supplier performance are covered more fully in the dedicated performance monitoring course, which pairs naturally with this one.

Will I gain a formal qualification from attending?

You receive a certificate of completion recognizing your attendance and participation. The course is professional and educational; it does not confer a professional qualification or external certification from any procurement or supply chain body.

Related courses

Participants on this course often continue with:

• Strategic Procurement Management & Cost Optimization
• Advanced Negotiation Skills for Procurement Executives
• Supplier Risk Analysis & Contingency Planning
• Designing & Implementing Effective Procurement Strategies

Register for this course

To reserve a place or ask about upcoming dates and locations, contact the EuroQuest International Training team, who can confirm availability and help you plan your attendance.