Head of Sustainable Procurement

Hays Procurement is proud to be working in partnership with the University of Cambridge who are looking to appoint a Head of Sustainable Procurement in an exciting new role for the organisation.

The University of Cambridge is one of the world’s oldest and most successful Universities, with an outstanding reputation for academic achievement and research.  Capitalising on its exemption under Public Contract Regulations 2015, the University has truly ambitious plans for the Procurement function.  Procurement and purchasing at the University of Cambridge is about to embark upon transformational change through a three to five year programme of activity - the Strategic Procurement and Purchasing Programme.  This will focus on how the University, its associated bodies and stakeholders can better buy and pay for its goods, works and services in the most sustainable manner possible. 

“Concern for sustainability and the relationship with the environment” is a core value for the University of Cambridge. In line with this value, the University’s Environmental Sustainability Vision, Policy and Strategy defines ambitious goals and key supporting approaches to achieve them. It highlights the importance of using procurement and purchasing activities to deliver these sustainable outcomes.

The Head of Sustainable Procurement is responsible for embedding sustainability into the University’s procurement and purchasing practices, including the creation, socialisation & adoption of appropriate strategy, policies, guidelines and practices. A key deliverable of this role is to enable the University to meet the ISO 20400 standard for Sustainable Procurement, so that its purchases have 'the most positive environmental, social and economic impacts possible over their entire lifecycle' (ISO20400).   As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, reporting directly to the Head of Group Procurement, this position will play an important role in the strategic direction of the Group Procurement team and represent the University of Cambridge at sector-level.

The Head of Sustainable Procurement will use strategic communication and influencing techniques to drive University-wide culture change that puts all potential spend through a sustainability lens, focussing on ‘sustainable supply’ not ‘sustainable supplier’. This role will also conduct research and data analysis to identify issues relevant to the University’s sustainability commitments as they relate to procurement and supply chains and present data and reports to University governance, informing broad-scope, high-level decision-making.

The ideal candidate will have substantial experience working on issues related to sustainability within procurement and/or supply chains and experience of working in a complex procurement environment, across both the public and private sectors.  You will be able to demonstrate your expertise in developing strategy, policies and procedures and ensuring their integration and socialisation throughout an organisation with an ability to drive organisational chance. 

With in-depth knowledge of global sustainable development issues and how these relate to procurement (both risks and opportunities) you will be able to demonstrate exceptional research and analytical skills, particularly in business requirements analysis, supplier research, and understanding current global issues.  Experience of ISO 2400 is desirable as an understanding of PCR 2015.  You will have a Bachelor’s degree and have MCIPS Chartered status with the Ethics module. 

This is an exciting time to join the University of Cambridge and if you feel you have the drive and the passion to help them to achieve their objectives, then they can offer you a role that is not only hugely satisfying but brings great benefits and a stimulating and supportive working environment.  In return, The University of Cambridge are offering a competitive salary, excellent benefits such as 41 days annual leave, a generous pension scheme and the opportunity to be office-based for 2 days per week.  

For more information about the role and organisation please visit: https://webmicrosites.hays.co.uk/web/university-of-cambridge/ or for an informal discussion please contact William Warren, Senior Business Director at Hays Procurement who is the retained consultant working in partnership with the University of Cambridge.  All third party & direct applicants will be forwarded directly to Hays Procurement to be screened as part of the recruitment process.