CIPS Category Management - L5M6 Exam Questions
QUESTION NO: 1
Why would a company use a Technology Roadmap?
Why would a company use a Technology Roadmap?
Correct Answer: C
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QUESTION NO: 2
High exit barriers in a marketplace mean that rivalry between suppliers is low. Is this statement TRUE?
High exit barriers in a marketplace mean that rivalry between suppliers is low. Is this statement TRUE?
Correct Answer: C
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QUESTION NO: 3
Which of the following forms of historical data can be used to inform Category Management expenditure?
Select THREE.
Which of the following forms of historical data can be used to inform Category Management expenditure?
Select THREE.
Correct Answer: B,D,E
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QUESTION NO: 4
Trydo Ltd is an industrial engineering company and is currently assessing its supplier base. Below are descriptions of four of its major suppliers:
* Supplier 1: This supplier has a large share of the market and the market in which it operates is growing. However, the supplier's own costs have increased by 36% over the past 12 months due to raw material price increases.
* Supplier 2: The market is fast growing but as a new supplier to the marketplace, Supplier 2's market share is still relatively low. Trydo is concerned about this supplier's long-term financial situation as the company has taken out many loans and a large mortgage.
* Supplier 3: This supplier operates in a small marketplace, but is a strong player with a sizable market share. Although this isn't of concern to Trydo, having recently run an Acid Test, it is believed that Supplier 3's current liabilities are four times greater than its assets.
* Supplier 4: The market Supplier 4 operates in is shrinking and Supplier 4 already has a low market share. The main issue is Capital Management as stock turnover, debtor days and are becoming prolonged. There have been several complaints about performance.
Task:
Complete the table below. You are required, for each supplier, to determine the product category on the BCG Matrix and to identify the main area of financial concern. Each response should only be used once.
Trydo Ltd is an industrial engineering company and is currently assessing its supplier base. Below are descriptions of four of its major suppliers:
* Supplier 1: This supplier has a large share of the market and the market in which it operates is growing. However, the supplier's own costs have increased by 36% over the past 12 months due to raw material price increases.
* Supplier 2: The market is fast growing but as a new supplier to the marketplace, Supplier 2's market share is still relatively low. Trydo is concerned about this supplier's long-term financial situation as the company has taken out many loans and a large mortgage.
* Supplier 3: This supplier operates in a small marketplace, but is a strong player with a sizable market share. Although this isn't of concern to Trydo, having recently run an Acid Test, it is believed that Supplier 3's current liabilities are four times greater than its assets.
* Supplier 4: The market Supplier 4 operates in is shrinking and Supplier 4 already has a low market share. The main issue is Capital Management as stock turnover, debtor days and are becoming prolonged. There have been several complaints about performance.
Task:
Complete the table below. You are required, for each supplier, to determine the product category on the BCG Matrix and to identify the main area of financial concern. Each response should only be used once.
Correct Answer:
Explanation:
Output image
Supplier 1 # Star Category + Profitability Concern
Supplier 1 holds a large market share in a growing market, which places it in the Star category of the BCG Matrix. Stars are typically leaders in expanding markets and require continuous investment to maintain their dominance. The concern here is not competitive weakness but profitability. Although revenue potential is strong, Supplier 1's costs have increased by 36% due to rising raw material prices. This erodes margins and threatens profitability despite growth. Stars often generate high cash inflows, but if costs spiral out of control, their ability to sustain investment weakens. Profitability management (e.g., through cost reduction, supplier negotiations, or efficiency gains) is critical to ensuring Supplier 1 continues its growth trajectory and avoids slipping into the "Cash Cow" or "Dog" quadrants in the future.
(Ref: CIPS L5M6 Study Guide, p.117 - BCG Matrix application)
Supplier 2 # Question Mark Category + Gearing Concern
Supplier 2 operates in a fast-growing market but has only a small share, making it a Question Mark in the BCG Matrix. Question Marks are high-risk: they may grow into Stars or fail and become Dogs, depending on how they perform and whether investment supports expansion. The major financial concern here is gearing- Supplier 2 has taken out significant loans and a large mortgage, meaning it is heavily leveraged. High gearing increases financial risk, as debt repayments must be met regardless of market conditions. In rapidly growing markets, high gearing can restrict reinvestment and leave firms vulnerable to interest rate fluctuations or downturns. For Trydo, this means Supplier 2 could face difficulties sustaining its growth, posing supply chain risk. Monitoring debt levels and financial stability is essential before committing to long-term contracts.
(Ref: CIPS L5M6 Study Guide, pp.117-118 - Question Marks and financial analysis) Supplier 3 # Cash Cow Category + Liquidity Concern Supplier 3 operates in a small, stable market but commands a strong market share. This places it firmly as a Cash Cow-a business that generates consistent revenue without requiring major investment. Cash Cows fund other areas of a portfolio but face limited growth prospects. The concern here is liquidity. An Acid Test reveals that Supplier 3's current liabilities are four times greater than its assets, suggesting it lacks sufficient short-term liquidity to meet obligations. This imbalance can result in cash flow problems, even if long-term profitability remains sound. For Trydo, the risk is that Supplier 3 may fail to pay debts or manage day-to-day operations, creating supply disruption. Procurement managers must ensure financial health checks are conducted regularly and consider diversification strategies if reliance on Supplier 3 is high.
(Ref: CIPS L5M6 Study Guide, p.117 - Cash Cows and liquidity issues)
Supplier 4 # Dog Category + Efficiency Concern
Supplier 4 operates in a shrinking market and already holds a low market share, placing it in the Dog category of the BCG Matrix. Dogs are generally unattractive, offering little growth and limited returns. The key concern here is efficiency. Supplier 4 is struggling with capital management issues, such as poor stock turnover and prolonged debtor days. These inefficiencies damage competitiveness and further weaken financial stability. For Trydo, relying on Supplier 4 poses significant risk because inefficiency can lead to delays, reduced quality, and increased total cost of ownership. Unless Supplier 4 improves performance, it may eventually exit the market, leaving Trydo vulnerable. In procurement terms, buyers should avoid long- term commitments with such suppliers and instead focus on exit strategies or alternatives.
(Ref: CIPS L5M6 Study Guide, pp.117-118 - Dogs and efficiency management)
QUESTION NO: 5
Which category of spend item would be most suitable to purchase through an e-auction?
Which category of spend item would be most suitable to purchase through an e-auction?
Correct Answer: C
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QUESTION NO: 6
Polygon Ltd is a buyer of components. Jeff, a Category Manager at Polygon, is analysing buyer strength in this marketplace to determine his procurement strategy. Which of the following would increase buyer strength?
Polygon Ltd is a buyer of components. Jeff, a Category Manager at Polygon, is analysing buyer strength in this marketplace to determine his procurement strategy. Which of the following would increase buyer strength?
Correct Answer: A
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QUESTION NO: 7
Workshops, safety facilities, and design engineers are indirect costs associated with which industry?
Workshops, safety facilities, and design engineers are indirect costs associated with which industry?
Correct Answer: A
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QUESTION NO: 8
Joe is a Category Manager at an automobile company. Which of the following would be the best way to decide on categories in this industry?
Joe is a Category Manager at an automobile company. Which of the following would be the best way to decide on categories in this industry?
Correct Answer: A
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QUESTION NO: 9
Analytics data can be used in Category Management forecasting. Which of the following would be a form of Analytics Data?
Analytics data can be used in Category Management forecasting. Which of the following would be a form of Analytics Data?
Correct Answer: A
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QUESTION NO: 10
Penelope works for an international manufacturer. Which categories are most likely to be outsourced?
Penelope works for an international manufacturer. Which categories are most likely to be outsourced?
Correct Answer: B,E
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