At a Glance
- Tasks: Advise clients on sustainable procurement strategies and improve supply chain performance.
- Company: Join Action Sustainability, a leading consultancy driving meaningful change.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible remote work, competitive salary, and a performance bonus.
- Other info: Collaborate with experts and contribute to the award-winning Supply Chain Sustainability School.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability while developing your consulting career.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in procurement or sustainability with strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 47000 £ per year.
Turn Procurement Into a Force for Sustainable Change. Procurement decisions have consequences far beyond cost. They influence carbon emissions, social value, human rights, responsible sourcing and the resilience of entire supply chains. At Action Sustainability, we help organisations turn those responsibilities into practical action. We’re one of the UK’s leading sustainability consultancies and the team behind the award-winning Supply Chain Sustainability School. We also led the UK delegation in developing ISO 20400, the international standard for sustainable procurement, and continue to support its global adoption. Now we’re looking for an experienced procurement professional who wants to use their expertise to create genuine environmental and social impact. If you understand procurement, care about sustainability and enjoy helping clients turn ambitious commitments into practical action, we’d love to hear from you.
The Role at a Glance:
- Sustainable Procurement Consultant
- Remote-First | UK based
- £40,000 - £47,000 DOE + Performance Bonus + Excellent Benefits
- Permanent | Full Time
- Reporting to: Lead Consultant
Your Background / Skills:
- Sustainable Procurement
- Procurement
- Responsible Sourcing
- Supply Chain Sustainability
- ESG
- Social Value
- ISO 20400
- Supplier Engagement
- Project Management
Who We Are:
Action Sustainability is a leading consultancy with a clear purpose: inspiring sustainable business. Our team of around 75 employees and associates works with organisations across the UK to turn sustainability ambitions into meaningful, measurable change. We established and continue to deliver the award-winning Supply Chain Sustainability School, and our expertise helped shape the international sustainable procurement standard ISO 20400. Today, we work with sector-leading organisations across Manufacturing, Technology, Infrastructure, FMCG, Government, Healthcare and Construction, helping them tackle some of the most important sustainability and supply chain challenges facing business. We’re also an accredited Living Wage Employer and committed to creating a respectful, inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive.
The Opportunity:
This is a consulting role for someone who understands both procurement and sustainability and knows how to bring the two together in the real world. You’ll advise clients on developing and implementing sustainable procurement strategies, embedding sustainability requirements throughout procurement processes and improving performance across their supply chains. That could mean helping a client incorporate ESG requirements into sourcing and tendering, conducting a sustainable procurement gap analysis, developing policies and tools, engaging suppliers or helping address challenges around carbon, social value, modern slavery and responsible sourcing. You’ll also manage smaller client projects yourself and contribute to larger programmes alongside Senior and Lead Consultants, giving you plenty of opportunity to build your consulting experience and take increasing ownership.
Where You’ll Add Value:
- Sustainable Procurement: Advise clients on sustainable procurement strategies, action plans and implementation. Embed sustainability requirements into sourcing, tendering, contracts and supplier relationship management. Conduct sustainable procurement gap analyses and evaluations, identifying practical opportunities for improvement. Develop procurement policies, guidance, templates and tools aligned with recognised standards and best practice. Support clients across carbon reduction, net zero, social value, human rights, modern slavery, responsible sourcing and circular economy principles.
- Supply Chain & Stakeholder Engagement: Design and facilitate supplier engagement programmes that improve sustainability performance. Support supplier assessment, due diligence and capability‑building initiatives. Analyse supply chain sustainability data and turn findings into practical recommendations. Facilitate workshops with procurement, sustainability, operational and executive stakeholders. Build trusted client relationships and provide clear, evidence‑based advice.
- Project Delivery: Manage smaller client projects and defined workstreams within larger programmes. Act as the main client contact on appropriate projects, supported by Senior or Lead Consultants. Manage timelines, budgets, quality and delivery to achieve successful and commercially sound outcomes. Produce high‑quality reports, presentations and recommendations. Collaborate with colleagues across Action Sustainability to deliver joined‑up solutions.
- Business Development & Thought Leadership: Contribute to proposals, bid responses and client presentations. Identify opportunities to grow existing client relationships and develop new work. Support the development of Action Sustainability’s sustainable procurement services. Design and deliver sustainable procurement training. Contribute to webinars, blogs, conferences and wider thought leadership. Support training and other activities through the Supply Chain Sustainability School.
About You:
You’ll already have a solid grounding in procurement, responsible sourcing or supply chain sustainability and be ready to use that experience across a varied portfolio of clients. You understand the procurement lifecycle and, importantly, have practical experience of bringing sustainability, social value or ESG considerations into procurement activity. You’ll likely bring:
- 3+ years’ experience within procurement, responsible sourcing, supply chain sustainability or procurement consultancy.
- Strong understanding of the procurement lifecycle, including sourcing, tendering, evaluation, contract management and supplier relationship management.
- Practical experience embedding sustainability, ESG or social value requirements into procurement processes.
- Knowledge of sustainable procurement best practice and frameworks such as ISO 20400.
- Experience engaging suppliers and supporting supply chain improvement programmes.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple client priorities.
- Experience facilitating workshops and engaging senior stakeholders.
- Excellent written, analytical and presentation skills.
- Commercial awareness and an understanding of successful project delivery.
- The confidence to work independently while collaborating effectively with colleagues.
It Would Be Great If You Also Bring:
- A degree or equivalent industry experience.
- Experience within construction, infrastructure, public sector, utilities or higher education.
- Knowledge of carbon management, net zero, modern slavery, responsible sourcing or social value.
- Experience contributing to bids, proposals or wider business development.
- CIPS qualification or membership.
- ISEP membership or another relevant sustainability qualification.
- Experience using procurement or supplier assessment platforms.
Why Join Action Sustainability?
This is an opportunity to combine your procurement expertise with work that delivers tangible environmental and social outcomes. You’ll work alongside recognised sustainability and climate experts, advise sector‑leading organisations and continue developing your consulting career within an award‑winning specialist business. You’ll also enjoy:
- Performance‑related bonus.
- Flexible, remote‑first working.
- 8% employer pension contribution.
- Birthday leave in addition to annual leave entitlement.
- Career development and progression within an award‑winning consultancy.
- Exposure to leading organisations across multiple industries.
- The opportunity to contribute to the Supply Chain Sustainability School.
- Meaningful work delivering measurable real‑world impact.
Your Experience / Background / Previous Roles May Include:
- Sustainable Procurement Consultant
- Procurement Consultant
- Responsible Sourcing Consultant
- Sustainable Supply Chain Consultant
- Procurement Sustainability Specialist
- Responsible Procurement Specialist
- Sustainable Procurement Manager
- Supply Chain Sustainability Specialist
- ESG Procurement Specialist
- Procurement Specialist
- Sustainability Consultant
Sustainable Procurement Consultant - ESG, Social Value & Supply Chain employer: Action Sustainability
Action Sustainability is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises sustainability and employee growth. With flexible working arrangements based in London, employees benefit from a supportive environment that encourages professional development through innovative practices and collaboration with industry leaders. As an accredited Living Wage employer, we are committed to fostering a respectful workplace where diverse talents can thrive while making a meaningful impact on climate change adaptation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sustainable Procurement Consultant - ESG, Social Value & Supply Chain
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Action Sustainability.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Sustainable Procurement Consultant - ESG, Social Value & Supply Chain
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Action Sustainability:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Action Sustainability. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Action Sustainability.
How to prepare for a job interview at Action Sustainability
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Action Sustainability!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Action Sustainability. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Action Sustainability's culture.
