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Director, Sustainable Sourcing & Supplier Diversity

Colgate-Palmolive United States Added on Sep 16, 2026
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This senior leadership position oversees the strategic transformation of global procurement to align with ambitious environmental and social targets. You will be responsible for building the long-term roadmap for sustainable materials and services, while simultaneously spearheading a corporate-wide supplier inclusion program. Your daily focus involves translating high-level vision into tactical procurement practices across diverse product categories.

The role is pivotal because it directly addresses the systemic impacts of a global supply chain, from achieving Forest Positive goals to ensuring net-zero carbon transitions. By integrating supplier diversity and human rights into the core sourcing engine, you ensure that everyday household brands contribute to a more equitable and regenerative economy. This is a rare chance to steer the material choices of one of the world’s most ubiquitous consumer goods companies.

This suits someone who is a veteran procurement leader with a sophisticated understanding of commodity risk and the ability to navigate complex, global stakeholder environments to drive large-scale organizational change.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to define and execute the Sustainable Sourcing Strategy, ensuring the company meets its 2030 ambitions regarding net-zero carbon, forest conservation, and water security. You will lead the transition of the raw and packaging material portfolio toward more circular and ethical alternatives. In addition to environmental goals, you are responsible for the corporate supplier inclusion approach, creating frameworks that promote diversity within the supply chain. This involves directing compliance in areas like ingredient transparency and responsible sourcing while designing training programs for the global procurement team. You will also work closely with the Global Business Services organization to codify data and reporting processes. This ensures that sustainability progress is measurable and ready for rigorous external reporting requirements and regulatory scrutiny.

Key learning opportunities for this job

A leader in this role will gain deep expertise in global material transformation within the FMCG sector, learning how to shift supply chains from traditional linear models to circular frameworks. You will stay at the forefront of emerging regulations and industry best practices regarding ingredient transparency and ESG reporting. The position offers significant exposure to complex change management, teaching you how to align diverse global divisions behind unified sustainability targets. You will also refine your skills in high-level stakeholder diplomacy through frequent interactions with NGOs and global coalitions. Furthermore, you will develop a specialized understanding of future supply markets for sustainable materials. Analyzing economic factors and cost correlations in these emerging markets will provide a unique financial perspective on the future of green procurement.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate is a seasoned professional with at least 15 years of experience leading global procurement or strategic sourcing teams. You should have a proven track record in materials risk management and the ability to manage a broad portfolio of commodities across multiple countries. Technical fluency in sustainability strategies and innovation is essential, as is the ability to translate technical jargon into actionable business goals. A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field like Supply Chain, Finance, or Economics is required, though a Master's degree is highly preferred for a role of this seniority. Soft skills are just as vital; the role demands courageous leadership and the emotional intelligence to build consensus among internal stakeholders who may have competing priorities. Experience in large-scale change management projects is a major differentiator.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond general sustainability statements and demonstrate a strong commercial mindset. Show how you have previously balanced environmental goals with cost management and supply security, as this role sits at the intersection of impact and business resilience. Focus your application on specific examples of supplier development and diversity initiatives you have led. Colgate-Palmolive values an inclusive culture, so highlighting your experience in fostering diverse supply chains will resonate strongly with their core values of being 'Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous.' Given the technical nature of the reporting requirements, mention any experience with ESG data integration or procurement compliance software. Showing that you understand how to turn data into a strategic narrative for senior leadership will mark you as a high-potential candidate.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The role focuses heavily on responsible sourcing, specifically targeting commodities that impact forest health, such as palm oil or pulp and paper. You will be tasked with ensuring these materials are sourced in a 'Forest Positive' manner that respects both the environment and human rights. Another significant focus area is plastics circularity and packaging innovation. You will identify and secure supply for recyclable or bio-based materials to reduce the company's reliance on virgin plastics, contributing directly to their waste reduction targets. Lastly, the role drives the social pillar of ESG through supplier diversity. By creating opportunities for underrepresented businesses, you ensure the company’s economic footprint supports broader community wellbeing and inclusive growth globally.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the toughest challenges will be managing market volatility while trying to secure sustainable materials. As demand for recycled and certified materials grows, you must navigate supply shortages and price fluctuations without compromising on the company's 2030 commitments. Aligning diverse global divisions presents a significant internal hurdle. You may encounter resistance or differing levels of sustainability maturity across different regions, requiring persistent influence and clear communication to maintain a unified global strategy. Additionally, keeping pace with evolving regulations regarding ingredient transparency and human rights due diligence requires constant vigilance. Ensuring that thousands of suppliers worldwide remain compliant is a massive operational task that involves continuous monitoring and auditing.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with a strategic review of global material risks, looking at how external economic factors are impacting the availability of sustainable packaging. This is often followed by meetings with the Global Procurement team to refine category-specific action plans. You might spend the afternoon in external-facing sessions, perhaps joining a coalition meeting with NGOs to discuss forest conservation or interviewing a potential strategic partner for supplier diversity software. These sessions require quick shifts between technical details and high-level advocacy. The day often ends with internal alignment meetings. You could be presenting progress updates to senior leadership or collaborating with the technology and supply chain teams to ensure that new sustainable innovations are being integrated into the production pipeline efficiently.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

This is a high-visibility executive-level role that offers a clear path toward Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) or high-level supply chain leadership positions. Success here demonstrates your ability to manage both the 'E' and 'S' of ESG on a global scale. You will have the opportunity to lead high-impact projects that serve as industry benchmarks, building a reputation as a thought leader in sustainable procurement. This exposure within the global FMCG industry is invaluable for career advancement. Colgate-Palmolive also supports professional development through long-term incentives and leadership training. The role’s breadth allows for lateral moves into broader supply chain management or corporate strategy roles within the organization.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact extensively with the Global Procurement and Supply Chain leadership, ensuring that sourcing decisions align with operational capabilities and financial targets. Building consensus here is critical for the execution of your strategy. External stakeholders include NGOs, industry coalitions, and strategic suppliers. You will act as the face of the company’s sustainability commitments, negotiating not just on price, but on shared values and long-term innovation goals. Internal partners also include Global Business Services (GBS) for data management and the Senior Leadership Team, who will rely on your insights to understand how sustainability risks and opportunities affect the company’s overall growth agenda.

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