At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive sustainable procurement initiatives and support ethical sourcing to beat cancer.
- Company: Join Cancer Research UK, the world's leading cancer charity.
- Benefits: Generous benefits package, career development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible office-based role with a focus on collaboration and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a tangible impact on sustainability while contributing to a vital mission.
- Qualifications: Experience in sustainability or responsible sourcing; strong analytical and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 45000 £ per year.
£40,000 - £45,000 plus benefits
Reports to: Senior Procurement Manager - Operations
Directorate: Finance, Governance & Assurance
Contract: 12 Month Fixed Term Contract
Hours: 35 hours per week
Location: Stratford, London. Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)
Closing date: 21st September 2026
Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.
Recruitment process: 2 stage competency-based interview with a task
Interview date: Interviews will take place w/c 5th October 2026
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. We're looking for a Sustainable Procurement Manager to help us drive meaningful change across our supply chain and support our sustainability and net zero ambitions. This newly created 12-month fixed term opportunity will play a key role in embedding environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles throughout procurement activities, ensuring responsible sourcing, robust supplier governance and effective risk management.
Working closely with Procurement, Sustainability and business stakeholders, you'll act as a subject matter expert, helping shape policies, processes and supplier engagement strategies that support ethical sourcing, reduce carbon emissions and strengthen our approach to modern slavery risk management. This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about sustainability who wants to make a tangible impact while contributing to Cancer Research UK's mission to beat cancer.
What will I be doing?
- Support the development and implementation of sustainable procurement policies, procedures and governance frameworks across CRUK.
- Drive supplier sustainability initiatives, including ethical sourcing, supplier due diligence and modern slavery risk assessment and mitigation.
- Identify supply chain carbon hotspots and deliver initiatives that contribute towards CRUK's carbon reduction and net zero goals.
- Develop ESG reporting, dashboards and governance metrics that provide meaningful insights to stakeholders and decision makers.
- Optimise supplier risk management tools, systems and external partnerships to strengthen sustainability oversight and compliance.
- Provide expert guidance, training and support to procurement teams, contract owners and wider stakeholders to embed sustainable procurement processes.
What are we looking for?
- Experience working within sustainability, ESG, responsible sourcing or sustainable procurement.
- Knowledge of supplier sustainability, modern slavery legislation, ethical standards and carbon reduction initiatives.
- Experience engaging and influencing suppliers to improve sustainability performance and deliver measurable outcomes.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess supplier data, interpret sustainability metrics and communicate insights clearly.
- Experience developing questionnaires, risk assessments, reporting frameworks or governance processes relating to sustainability.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills with the ability to influence colleagues and suppliers.
We'd be particularly interested in candidates with sustainability expertise, even if they have limited direct procurement experience. Experience working with supplier sustainability programmes, ESG reporting, modern slavery risks or carbon emissions reduction initiatives would be highly valuable.
Our Values
- Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination
- Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism
- Human: Act to have a positive impact on people
- Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively
We’re looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.
If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we’d still love to hear from you.
What will I gain?
We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals. You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.
Owing to the nature of this position, any offer of employment for this role will be subject to a satisfactory basic DBS check.
Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented. We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen.
Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.
We’re the world’s leading cancer charity, dedicated to saving and improving lives with our research. We work to reduce the impact of cancer on people’s day‑to‑day lives through our research, influence and information. We are beating cancer – step by step, day by day. Our work means that people with cancer live better lives through earlier diagnosis and kinder, more effective treatments. Find a purposeful career that will empower you to grow and collaborate with like‑minded experts.
Sustainable Procurement Manager in London employer: CANCER RESEARCH UK
Cancer Research UK is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values community impact and personal growth. As a Part-Time Store Lead in East Dereham, you will not only contribute to vital fundraising efforts but also enjoy opportunities for professional development within a passionate team dedicated to making a difference in the fight against cancer.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sustainable Procurement Manager in London
✨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 CANCER RESEARCH UK.
✨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 Manager in London
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 CANCER RESEARCH UK:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to CANCER RESEARCH UK. 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 CANCER RESEARCH UK.
How to prepare for a job interview at CANCER RESEARCH UK
✨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 CANCER RESEARCH UK!
✨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 CANCER RESEARCH UK. 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 CANCER RESEARCH UK's culture.
