Key takeaways from the dss+ Sustainable Procurement roundtable
The inaugural dss+ event in this Value Creation through Sustainability series brought together leaders in procurement, sustainability, operations and investment across industries to explore how sustainable procurement and supply chains can drive greater value.
Attendees had the opportunity to network and build cross-industry and cross-functional connections, hear an insightful keynote from Dave Howson- an experienced sustainable supply chain and responsible sourcing leader- and engage in a dynamic roundtable discussion facilitated by Paul McNeillis, dss+ UK Market Director.
The discussion inspired participants to consider a holistic, people-centred approach to managing change and the evolution of their sustainable procurement maturity. Below, we share key insights from the event, along with practical ways the dss+ team can help to address challenges and unlock value from the opportunities.
This Value Creation through Sustainability event series will continue throughout the year, fostering meaningful debate and stimulate exchanges of best practice amongst a growing and diverse community of practice convened by dss+.
The top 5 takeaways were:
Sustainable procurement delivers greater value when organisational maturity is measured and improved
Cross functional collaboration between procurement, sustainability, and finance unlocks value
Enabling better decision-making is essential for real time integration of sustainability with procurement
Strong business case development and implementation requires both operational and sustainability perspectives
Visible felt leadership plays a central role in delivering change and creating value
Conclusion
There is significant untapped value in sustainable procurement. To access that value, organisations must follow a clear and purposeful pathway to understanding and evolving their organisational maturity. This starts with an objective assessment of their current maturity, evaluating their ability to collaborate and govern effectively across multiple functions. It also requires strengthening business case development for key investments, enabling informed decision-making at both strategic and tactical levels, and ensuring leadership plays a central role in driving value creation across all levels of the organisation.
How dss+ can help
- Assessing sustainable procurement maturity
- Enabling collaboration and strong cross-functional governance
- Building strong value creation business cases
- Enhancing informed and holistic decision-making
- Coaching leaders