What you will learn:
– Identify the key stakeholders and inputs for creating sustainable procurement policies and plans.
– Recognize the significant environmental issues common in supply chains, such as carbon emissions and single use plastics.
– Understand the social impact of procurement and how to improve it through supplier diversity and buy local programs.
– Apply the course concepts in a sustainable procurement audit using a template provided with the course.

Description:
This course sheds light on the social and environmental issues organizations encounter in their supply chains and offers recommendations for ethical procurement. Every organization purchases something so every organization has an opportunity to make a positive impact on people, planet, and profit through responsible sourcing.

This course is perfect for any one in any type or size of organization who wants to learn more about how to improve environmental and social performance in daily operations. No expertise or experience in sustainability is required. It is ideal for general managers, small business owners, corporate procurement staff, sales teams, and anyone who wants better understand sustainability and take practical steps in the right direction.

Participants will learn to engage stakeholders, conduct a sustainable procurement audit, create ethical purchasing policies, and set goals to improve social and environmental performance. The course does not require any specialized skills or knowledge in procurement or sustainability. It invites learners to consider the implications of the purchases they can influence and offers practice steps forward.

The course includes information on sustainability topics such as circular economy, plastics and single-use items, toxic chemicals, carbon emissions, humane working conditions, supplier diversity, and buying local. There are several handouts you can download with additional resources and worksheets and guidance for preparing for and performing a sustainable procurement audit.

Course outcomes
– Recognize the social and environmental impact of procurement through supply chain research.
– Develop a research process for finding purchasing data needed to make informed decisions.
– Conduct a sustainable purchasing audit.
– Establish sustainable purchasing goals, policies, and practices.

This course is ideal for anyone seeking a purpose-driven role in their organization, green team leaders, purchasing managers, supply chain managers, and those who are generally interested in the impact their organization is having on people, planet, and profit.