Sustainable Purchasing Career Outlook

Sustainable Purchasing (also known as: green purchasing, environmentally preferred purchasing, green procurement, affirmative procurement, and environmentally responsible purchasing) is a method of conducting business wherein great consideration is given to supply chain management. Sustainable Purchasing attempts to:

• Minimize negative environmental and social impacts by using environmentally friendly products
• Identify and reduce harm to the environment 
• Maximize resource efficiency; reduce waste¹ 

Many campuses and organizations, and even state and federal governments, are adapting purchasing policies to be more sustainable, and since this field is relatively new, there are many opportunities to get involved in developing plans, policies, and procurement strategies. EcoLeaders shopping around for a career in sustainable purchasing can develop and implement these new strategies and make a difference in how we all use our purchasing power. For more information what it means to be a Sustainable Purchaser, check out some of the Sustainable Purchase Guidelines and the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council.
 

Sizing Sustainable Purchasing Jobs:

Sustainable procurement has risen to become a top priority among companies for several reasons. Brand reputations are dependent on quality products (non-toxic) that are produced ethically (fair trade, anti-child labor). Practical benefits like a reduction in raw material consumption (water, metals, etc.) also help companies be more efficient, reducing costs.² 

Potential job positions in the field of sustainable purchasing include procurement directors, agents, managers, coordinators, advisors and specialists. These positions exist under the purchasing or procurement department, whereas other positions related to sustainable purchasing may fall under the sustainability department like the sustainability coordinator, director, or advisors.

Here are a few other sustainable purchasing related jobs available to consider:

Salaries for Sustainable Purchasing Jobs: 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the 2016 median pay for Buyers and Purchasing Agents was $60,700³ and management positions in Purchasing earned $117,720.⁴

Required Education and Certifications:

To pursue a career in Sustainable Purchasing, employers prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree in logistics, finance, business, economics, or related field. Below is a list of programs that could prepare you to work as someone capability of conducting sustainable purchasing techniques and develop practical policies for the field.

Examples of Certification Programs in Sustainable Purchasing

• Georgia Tech | Supply Chain Leader Development (certificate program) 
• Chatham University | Sustainability Management (Certificate)
• Institute for Supply Management | Supply Management  (Certified Professional – C.P.S.M.)
• The New School | Post Masters Certificate in Sustainable Strategies

Examples of Academic Programs in Sustainable Purchasing

• Lane Community College | Sustainability Coordinator (A.S.)
• Ohio State University – Fisher College of Business| Operations and Logistics (B.S.) 
• University of North Texas| Logistics and Supply Chain Management (B.S.)
• University of Wisconsin – Parkside | Sustainable Management (B.S.)
• Indiana University Bloomington, Kelley School of Business| Global Supply Chain Management (M.S.)
• Rochester Institute of Technology | Environmentally Sustainable Management (M.B.A.)
• Arizona State University | Business Administration with an emphasis in Supply Chain Management  (M.B.A.)

 

Sustainable Purchasing Project Examples from the NWF Sustainability Database:

Sustainable Purchasing EcoTopic Page - Start here to find lots of resources for you to start and share your own Campus or Community Purchasing EcoProject in the EcoLeaders community! Or find inspiration from the following projects that other EcoLeaders have done:

• University of California – California: UC San Diego developed an E-Procurement Purchasing System in 2009, branded as “Marketplace” (www.blink.ucsd.edu/go/newmarketplace) which includes requirements for sustainability and environmentally preferable purchasing.
• Central Michigan University – Michigan: Central Michigan’s Green Cleaning initiative implemented a purchasing program to procure products and services in accordance with already certified LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) buildings.
• Portland Community College, Rock Creek Campus – Oregon: The Associated Students of Portland Community College (ASPCC)-Rock Creek Campus analyzed its purchasing power and consciously decided to make an effort to buy items that reduced carbon emissions. Additionally, they hosted a Green Year-End Leadership Banquet using sustainable products and awards.
• Ball State University - Indiana: BSU partnered with the Barnes and Noble to get their campus bookstore to carry, promote, and sell more environmentally and socially-preferable products.

For more information on Purchasing, check out NWF’s “Ecodemia”, which has a whole chapter on “University Purchasing and Campus Stores”.
 

RESOURCES:

1. “Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines.” Wake Forest University. Retrieved August 19, 2017. 
2. “Sustainable Organizations Start with Sustainable Procurement.” Accenture. Retrieved on August 19, 2017. 
3. “Buyer and Purchasing Agents.” Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved August 19, 2017. 
4. “Purchasing Managers.” Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved August 19, 2017. 

By: Dmitry Liapitch, NWF EcoLeaders Fellow 2015 and Christina Lopez, NWF EcoLeaders Fellow 2017