Sustainable Procurement Director

Job Description:

About our Sustainable Procurement Director role:

Join us as our Sustainable Procurement Director, where you'll be at the forefront of driving Sage’s sustainable procurement strategy (SSC Strategy). In this pivotal role, you will develop and execute a vision for a sustainable supply chain that champions human rights, eliminates modern slavery, and encourages suppliers to minimize their environmental impact. Your leadership will be crucial in helping Sage achieve its ambitious net zero targets.

What’s in it for you?

In this role, you'll leverage your extensive experience in supply chain sustainability and ESG, including executing sustainability and supplier diversity initiatives. You will have the opportunity to use your deep understanding of reporting standards (such as CEDA, CDP, SBTi) and carbon accounting principles to shape our strategy. As a strategic thinker, you'll translate complex strategies into actionable, measurable deliverables. You'll lead and inspire teams, using your strong leadership and change management skills, while collaborating across global, multi-functional teams. Engaging with senior leadership and developing effective relationships will be key, requiring exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, particularly in advocacy, negotiation, and conflict resolution. You'll manage programs with precision, set KPIs, and drive results, while coaching and developing your team. Your excellent data analysis skills will support our strategic goals.

The successful candidate will be required to work from a Sage office 3 days a week.

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Key Responsibilities:

Summary of your day-to-day?

As the Sustainability Procurement Director, you will be responsible for the design, implementation, and evolution of the SSC Strategy, keeping abreast of industry best practices and trends. You will develop KPIs to measure success and establish policies and procedures to support the strategy's execution. Your role includes embedding sustainability within contracts and supplier relationships, managing relationships with key suppliers, and acting as a point of escalation for complex negotiations. You will work closely with sustainability, legal, and risk teams to establish robust frameworks, ensuring governance and accountability. You'll identify risks, such as modern slavery, and advocate for the SSC Strategy internally and externally. Additionally, you'll seek opportunities to enhance performance in alignment with Sage’s business objectives, and contribute to cross-industry collaborations. As a leader, you'll set performance standards, provide training, and coach the Procurement team, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary sustainability expertise. You'll also coordinate with Sage’s Sustainability team, providing accurate data and insights, contributing to comprehensive sustainability reporting.

Preferred experience:

• Experience with developing and executing on sustainability strategies within a comparable organisation or experience in a relevant consultancy position.

• Experience working with carbon emission modelling platforms and developing initiatives to deliver measurable emissions reduction across an indirect supply chain (IT, Corporate Services and Marketing).

• Experience implementing supply chain engagement industry best practice and enabling technologies (e.g. EcoVadis).

• Experience in development and implementation of supplier due diligence and governance strategy, including sanctions and credit risk assessment.

Your benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage

• Work away scheme for up to 10 weeks a year

• On-going training and professional development

• Paid 5 days yearly to volunteer through our Sage Foundation

• Flexible work patterns and hybrid working

Function:

Procurement

Country:

United Kingdom

Office Location:

London;Newcastle

Work Place type:

Hybrid

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