Sustainable Procurement Manager - Lower Thames Crossing

About the role

Balfour Beatty is a leading infrastructure company working to deliver key low carbon projects such as public transport networks, renewable energy grid connections and nuclear power stations. Lower Thames Crossing is a National Highways low carbon Pathfinder Project. Balfour Beatty is recruiting a Sustainable Procurement Manager to embed sustainability into the supply chain.

Reporting into the Procurement Function with support from the Group Responsible Sourcing Function, this role will work extensively with Sustainability, Procurement and Commercial functions to implement sustainability with the supply chain partners, aligning with the sustainability strategy, Building New Futures and the Client's project requirements, which extensively focus on carbon.

The Responsible Sourcing Manager will implement sustainable procurement into the tenders, contracts and programme deliverables, increase knowledge of Responsible Sourcing with procurement, commercial and sustainability teams, and engage with clients to align with objectives, KPIs and project deliverables.

What you'll be doing Strategic Alignment & Work Winning

• Act as the Responsible Sourcing lead for the Lower Thames Crossing Roads North team, embedding sustainability into procurement strategy, package design, tender evaluation, contract conditions and supplier performance management.
• Own responsibility for the coordination, execution, implementation and management of procurement tenders focused on key carbon reducing commodities.
• Work closely with Project Procurement, Commercial teams and Group Responsible Sourcing to apply Balfour Beatty tools, policies and governance consistently across the project.
• Lead sustainability input into tenders, early contractor engagement and supplier selection, ensuring alignment with emerging legislation, public procurement requirements and client expectations.
• Provide sustainability subject matter expertise in client and supply chain forums, representing Balfour Beatty on responsible sourcing, carbon and ESG matters.
• Ensure the supply chain shares ESG data as required by the client, supporting onboarding, compliance and data quality for reporting.
• Identify and drive practical opportunities to improve sustainability outcomes, focusing on supply chain led carbon reduction, innovation, resource efficiency and value creation.
• Support and coordinate steel decarbonisation activity with client, suppliers and internal stakeholders to meet the Construction Leadership Council's 5 Client Carbon Commitments and LTC specific requirements.
• Develop and deliver training and capability building initiatives for procurement teams, project teams and supply chain partners, aligned to Balfour Beatty's responsible sourcing approach.
• Promote consistent understanding and application of responsible sourcing standards, tools and expectations across the project and supply chain.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong, credible relationships with key suppliers, client representatives and internal stakeholders, acting as a trusted advisor on responsible sourcing and sustainability. Align with Ethical Sourcing and Modern Slavery leads, Social Impact team and Carbon leads to embed their requirements into the supply chain approach.

Subject matter expertise

• Knowledge of Sustainable Procurement standards and certification schemes (e.g., ISO 20400, ResponsibleSteel, BES6001, Construction Leadership Council's 5 Client Carbon Commitments).
• Strong competence in carbon, including Scope 3 reporting, PAS 2080, Environmental Product Declarations and whole life carbon.
• Knowledge of responsible sourcing risks in the infrastructure manufacturing sector, including human rights issues.
• Industry expertise in steel sustainability.

Who we're looking for Essential

• Knowledge of UK and Regional Government sustainable procurement legislation.
• Experience working with complex commercial supply chains and procurement functions.
• Strong knowledge of social, ethical and environmental sustainability issues.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Business mindset and commercial awareness.
• Proficiency in IT and ability to adapt to new IT platforms.
• Willingness to travel UK wide.

Preferable

• Relevant qualifications in environmental sustainability.
• ISEP or CIPS Membership (or equivalent).

You do not need to come from a construction, infrastructure or engineering background. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds with an interest and willingness to learn about infrastructure.

Why work for us

Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK's most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.

Why join us? We offer a full range of benefits:

• Smart working, with up to 40% remote working where roles allow.
• 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata).
• Family friendly policies: 28 weeks full pay maternity/adoption leave and 4 weeks full pay paternity/partner leave.
• Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and more.

Equal Opportunity

We are a Disability Confident Employer committed to working with people who have disabilities and long term health conditions. We offer an interview to candidates who meet the minimum requirements for the role. Please contact with any feedback on our resourcing process.