S

Sustainable Supply Chain Manager

Stonewater • United Kingdom • Added on Jul 3, 2026
Apply →

This role centers on transforming the environmental footprint of a major social housing network by directly managing supplier relationships and decarbonizing the procurement lifecycle. You will own the strategy for reducing Scope 3 emissions, moving beyond simple compliance to implement circular economy principles across construction and maintenance operations. Your daily focus involves translating high-level climate targets into practical procurement standards and waste reduction protocols.

You will step into a pivotal position where social housing meets environmental stewardship. By conducting whole lifecycle carbon assessments on building materials and eliminating single-use plastics, you directly influence how thousands of affordable homes are built and maintained. This is a chance to prove that large-scale social impact and rigorous environmental sustainability are not only compatible but mutually reinforcing.

This suits someone who possesses a strong technical grasp of life cycle assessments and the confidence to influence diverse commercial partners toward greener outcomes. You should be equally comfortable analyzing granular waste data and steering high-level stakeholder meetings.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to lead the decarbonization of the supply chain, specifically focusing on the reduction of Scope 3 emissions. You will be responsible for integrating sustainability into procurement activities, conducting whole lifecycle carbon assessments, and managing the Environmental Management System (EMS). Beyond technical analysis, you will serve as the lead contact for supply chain engagement, ensuring that partners align with Stonewater’s sustainability strategy. You will also champion responsible waste management and work to eliminate single-use plastics within construction and maintenance service lines.

Key learning opportunities for this job

A candidate in this role will gain deep expertise in Scope 3 carbon reporting and the practical application of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol within the housing sector. You will strengthen your technical knowledge of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and lifecycle assessments (LCA) for building materials. Furthermore, you will have the chance to contribute to organisational thought leadership by trialing new approaches and researching emerging best practices. This role offers exposure to the intersection of environmental regulation and the social housing regulatory framework in the UK.

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

The ideal candidate brings a blend of technical environmental knowledge and commercial acumen. Experience in sustainability within a construction or supply chain environment is highly valued, particularly a familiarity with how buildings are constructed and maintained from an impact perspective. Strong proficiency in carbon accounting and environmental legislation is essential. You must be an influential communicator capable of translating complex sustainability data into actionable goals for suppliers and internal procurement teams, ideally holding a relevant environmental qualification.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate a specific understanding of the construction supply chain and how it impacts social housing providers. Highlighting your experience with lifecycle assessments or managing waste data will be more effective than general sustainability advocacy. Tailor your application to show how you have previously influenced third-party partners to adopt greener practices. Align your profile with Stonewater's values by showing an interest in how environmental performance contributes to a better quality of life for social housing customers.

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

This role focuses heavily on upstream environmental impacts. The primary focus is the reduction of embodied carbon in construction materials and the operational wastes generated during property maintenance. You will also be instrumental in the circular economy transition, looking for ways to keep materials in use longer and reduce the reliance on virgin resources. The role bridges the gap between the Environment & Sustainability team and the commercial procurement function to ensure corporate targets are met.

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

One of the main challenges will be influencing external suppliers who may have varying levels of sustainability maturity or differing commercial priorities. Aligning these partners with Stonewater's carbon reduction targets requires high-level negotiation and persistence. Additionally, accurately capturing and analyzing Scope 3 data across a diverse portfolio of 40,000 homes presents a significant technical and logistical hurdle. You will need to balance immediate maintenance needs with long-term lifecycle carbon goals.

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

A typical day might begin with analyzing waste data or reviewing Environmental Product Declarations for new building specifications. You might then transition to a meeting with procurement colleagues to discuss embedding sustainability criteria into a new maintenance contract. Afternoons could be spent chairing a meeting with key suppliers to discuss their progress on carbon reduction or researching trends in green construction. As a home-based role, your day will involve significant virtual collaboration, punctuated by monthly travel to Coventry or Reading for team alignment.

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

This role is positioned within a forward-thinking Environment & Sustainability team, offering high visibility within a large UK organization. Success here could lead to senior leadership roles in sustainable procurement or head-of-function positions for environmental strategy. Given the increasing importance of ESG disclosure in social housing, you will be at the forefront of a growing field. Exposure to whole lifecycle assessments and strategic reporting will make you a highly sought-after expert in the green building and social housing sectors.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will work most closely with the Environment & Sustainability team, including specialists in carbon and nature recovery. The procurement department will be your primary internal partner for embedding sustainability into contracts. Externally, your main point of contact will be the supply chain partners, ranging from large construction firms to specialized maintenance contractors. You will also interact with senior leadership at Stonewater to report on progress against organizational sustainability targets.

CSR Jobs newsletter

Never miss the next opportunity

Get a curated selection of new CSR, ESG, and sustainability roles in your inbox. No daily noise, just useful opportunities.

Free to join. Unsubscribe anytime.