A Category Board [sometimes called a Category Council or Committee] is a cross-functional group of stakeholders responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of a category strategy. It brings together representatives from procurement, finance, operations, and other relevant departments to ensure that sourcing decisions align with overall business objectives.

While boards may also review spending or risk, their main role is strategic governance. They provide input into category planning, approve strategies, resolve conflicts, and ensure stakeholder buy-in. This collaboration is essential, as category management is a cross-functional discipline that cannot succeed if procurement operates in isolation.

Options A and B are too narrow, while option D is unrealistic—no body can “mitigate all risks.” Instead, the board ensures risks are recognised and addressed within the strategy.

The study guide highlights the importance of such structures in embedding category management within an organisation’s governance framework.

[Ref: CIPS L5M6 Study Guide, pp.614 – Category Boards and governance in category management]