Sustainable Procurement and Decarbonisation Lead (NZ)

Xero is a beautiful, easy-to-use platform that helps small businesses and their accounting and bookkeeping advisors grow and thrive. 

At Xero, our purpose is to make life better for people in small business, their advisors, and communities around the world. This purpose sits at the centre of everything we do. We support our people to do the best work of their lives so that they can help small businesses succeed through better tools, information and connections. Because when they succeed they make a difference, and when millions of small businesses are making a difference, the world is a more beautiful place.

2- year Fixed Term Contract

The purpose of this new role in the procurement team is to actively engage with Xero’s global supplier base to drive emissions reductions in line with our ambitious emissions reduction targets. 

You will play a pivotal role in achieving Xero's commitment to reduce scope 3 emissions by 35% by 2034 and you will work very closely with Xero’s Sustainability & Impact team and other key stakeholders across the organisation. Your expertise in supplier engagement, and sustainability initiatives will be essential in fostering collaboration and achieving tangible results.

What you’ll do:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive supplier engagement strategy to educate and motivate suppliers to set and achieve emissions reductions targets in line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). This should include identifying key suppliers, establishing communication channels, and designing targeted initiatives to foster collaboration and drive emissions reductions. 
• Collaborate with suppliers to collect and analyse emissions data - provide guidance on measurement methodologies, identify reduction opportunities, and support suppliers in setting and achieving science-based targets.
• Drive and support targeted suppliers in setting their own emissions reduction targets, aligned with Xero's emissions reduction strategy and targets.
• Support the Xero Procurement team in embedding sustainability into procurement processes. This includes incorporating environmental performance criteria into our Request for Proposal (RFP) and evaluation processes, focused on suppliers’ carbon footprint, reduction targets, and commitment to sustainability.
• Utilise available sustainability platform technology to streamline supplier assessments: efficiently assess and track supplier sustainability performance, identify improvement opportunities, and facilitate collaboration on carbon reduction initiatives.
• Provide ongoing support and guidance to suppliers in implementing emissions reduction strategies, including access to resources and best practices.
• Closely monitor and track supplier emissions reductions and targets, to ensure alignment with Xero's emissions reduction targets, ensuring accountability and transparency. Regularly report on progress to a varied group of stakeholders, including in Procurement, Sustainability & Impact, communications, senior management, the Xero board and others.
• Identify and engage with key stakeholders within Xero to promote supplier decarbonisation efforts and foster cross-functional collaboration, providing guidance on how to incorporate sustainability considerations into their decision-making processes.
• Stay informed about emerging trends and best practices in supplier decarbonisation and sustainability.
• Proactively understand and manage risks as they relate to your role.
• Proactively understand and manage compliance and regulatory obligations for your areas of responsibility.

What you’ll bring with you:

• Experience:
• 3-6 years of experience in sustainability, carbon management, or a related field
• Has ideally been part of, or worked closely with, procurement teams and has experience in supplier engagement and collaboration
• Knowledge of sustainability reporting frameworks and standards is ideal but not required
• Experience in creating business documentation including presentation material is highly desirable
• Exposure to a broad range of software tools and technologies supporting procurement is highly desirable
• Degree in Environmental Sciences, Engineering or Business is desirable
• Basic understanding of carbon accounting is welcome
• Critical competencies:
• Strong understanding of emissions reduction strategies, and sustainability principles
• Drive and positive enthusiasm to maximise stakeholder engagement
• Commercial acumen, experienced in building strong relationships with suppliers
• Proven organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Well organised, able to plan work flow and stick to deadlines
• Data-driven and analytical, with the ability to collect, analyse, and interpret emissions data.
• Passionate about sustainability and driving positive environmental impact
• Entrepreneurial flair, innovative, agile and collaborative.
• Superb communication skills and ability to positively influence both internal 

Why Xero? 

Offering very generous paid leave to use however you’d like (plus statutory holidays!), dedicated paid leave to care for your physical and mental wellbeing as well as an Employee Assistance Program to access mental health care for you and your family, free medical insurance, wellbeing and sports programmes, employee resource groups, 26 weeks of paid parental leave for primary caregivers, an Employee Share Plan, beautiful offices, flexible working, career development, and many other benefits that reflect our human value, you’ll do the best work of your life at Xero.