Procurement People of Tomorrow: Higher and Further Education pack

The Power of Procurement

A role in procurement will not only involve the purchase of goods and services but also requires procurement professionals to consider the sustainability of the supply chains that they enter into contracts with.

The term sustainability is broadly used to indicate programmes, initiatives and actions aimed at the preservation of a particular resource. However, it actually refers to four distinct areas; human, social, economic and environmental – known as the four pillars of sustainability.

The Procurement sector for publicly funded bodies in Scotland report on the sustainable outcomes of their contracts and aim to drive best practice in the sector.

• Social – Community Benefits
• Human - Fair work First and Modern Slavery
• Economic - Best Value Cost
• Environmental - Carbon Footprint and Climate Change

Procurement professionals must consider factors such as production methods, ethical working environments, fair work practices and circular economy principles to ensure goods and services purchased achieve value for money on a whole life basis, while generating benefits for the organisation, wider society and the economy they interact with. Procurement professionals also have a crucial role to play to address the climate emergency and reduce greenhouse gas impacts throughout global supply chains and operations.

Working in Procurement may involve travel to monitor supply chains, conduct contract management and collaborate with other organisations. By working collaboratively with the wider supply chain, procurement professionals can mitigate the risk of unethical behaviour and support suppliers to ensure steps are taken to adhere to sustainable and ethical working practices.