Category Management Standards & Certifications Steering Committee
This Steering Committee has formed to address industry guidelines for category management standards and certifications -- broadly defined to include establishment of skill areas and minimum levels of capability across relevant areas such as data analysis, space management, and shopper/consumer insights.

The primary goal is to define commonly understood levels of skill-sets in order to assist companies in attracting and assessing new hires, train existing staff to adequate levels of competence, and demonstrate a level of competence among category partners.  This committee will address definition of roles/titles and levels of skills needed for each.

The Steering Committee will be composed of manufacturers, retailers, brokers and universities, with the understanding that each participant is responsible for bringing objective perspective to the committee in the interest of providing broad guidelines for the industry at large.
 
The Steering Committee differs from private CPG CatNet Share Groups in that all recommendations of the Steering Committee are intended for public dissemination.  Conversely, private share groups are formed with mutual approval across non-competitive categories and address topics generated within the private share group for that group’s own use.  The goals of the committee: ·         Establish commonly recognized ‘levels’ of competence and address definition of roles/titles and levels of skill needed for each.

·         Endorse existing training programs which offer curriculum designed to meet those levels

·         Broadcast requests to trainers and universities for unmet training needs

·         Establish official certifications awarded or recognized by the association for levels of achievement

·         Guide coursework content and curriculum at universities

Requirements for Participation:

·         Regular Attendance = 3 out of 4 monthly meetings held by telephone/web conference

·         Prompt response to requests for input and feedback in-between meetings

·         Corporate Membership  in the association or $2,500 annual participation fee

·         No Charge for Retailers or Universities

·         T & E for any in-person sessions  (no more than two annually)