Sustainable Sourcing

Basics

1: Develop and integrate into supplier selection process

Typically the procurement leadership develops a vision that aligns with company responsible business policy, and then adapts their procurement policies to include responsible business in the various processes and criteria for suppliers selection and management.

2: Set and communicate clear expectations for suppliers

When a company is engaging  a supplier, a company must make it clear these new expectations that the suppliers must meet . This is usually codified in a code of conduct, as well as integrated into contracts, and supplier interaction and communications such as RFX templates..

3: Integration into buying practices

Provide the vision, training and tools for buyers to integrate Sustainable Sourcing into their work and procurement decisions. This may include new software, training in CSR and responsible business, and a complete change management plan. Internal change management programs to convey to  the corporate buyers that the impact their buying decisions will have at factory level and promoting cooperation between corporate buyers, supplier sales team and units of production when planning schedules of production.

4: Educate and support suppliers in setting their own business standards

As part of the process, companies should encourage their suppliers to develop responsible practices on their own. Educate suppliers on the business and community benefits of practicing responsible business: This may include productivity, quality, community support and engagement, improved recruiting, employee turnover and renewal of contracts. Work collaboratively along with suppliers in structuring objectives for their responsible business performance.

5: Ongoing monitoring of supplier CSR performance

Ongoing monitoring using assessments and audits are essential to maintain their supplier’s environmental and social performance and practices. Using multiple sources of data and input from stakeholders is vital for having a balanced and thorough view of performance over time.Companies may be able to greatly accelerate their program and save costs by seeking out related initiatives in their industry sector, whereby they can partner with other companies within the same sector and develop common approaches to assessing and montoring suppliers.

6: Manage stakeholder expectations and reporting on practices

Transparency is the final step to building and maintaining stakeholder trust. The program should produce supplier performance information that can be adapted to include  in an annual CSR reporting.

Moving forward

Sustainable Sourcing is very vital if implemented well and to move forward , a company will need to:

• Check basic facts about the social and environmental legislation in the countries of production of prospective suppliers.
• Find out about the level of enforcement in these countries to assess production risks.
• Check whether prospective suppliers qualify for independent certification of conformity with recognized social and environmental standards.
• Clearly define your expectations to your suppliers. Make clear that compliance with all applicable laws is a minimum.
• Explore potential risk areas with suppliers and agree on the desired level of performance. If necessary, use a supplier code of conduct as a benchmark for compliance and incorporate supplier requirements into commercial contracts.
• Raise awareness among your purchasing officers of the impact that their purchasing practices might have on production at factory level.
• Carry out assessments of suppliers’ facilities and practices, including through independent monitoring where appropriate, or by organizing onsite visits and worker interviews.
• Find out about sectoral initiatives which can help conduct assessments and provide information and training to suppliers on responsible business practices