At Mars Procurement, the focus is on performance rather than mere promises.

Amanda Davies, the Chief Officer of Research & Development, Procurement, and Sustainability at Mars Wrigley, details the methods through which the company attains excellence in both sourcing and sustainability efforts.

Amanda Davies, in her role as Chief R&D, Procurement, and Sustainability Officer at Mars Wrigley, has witnessed a significant shift in both procurement and sustainability practices across generations. Positioned strategically within the global corporation, Davies observes a symbiotic relationship between these two realms, where advancements in one can catalyze progress in the other.

Emphasizing the urgency of addressing climate change, Davies advocates for a relentless focus on performance rather than mere ambition, stressing the responsibility of current leadership to act decisively before it is too late. The Mars Net Zero Roadmap, a comprehensive strategy outlined by the company, sets ambitious targets, including a commitment to halve carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

Davies oversees these sustainability initiatives firsthand, given her multifaceted role spanning commercial, sustainability, and R&D domains. With a vast network of over 15,000 suppliers, her teams navigate the delicate balance between sourcing necessities and meeting sustainability benchmarks, reflecting Mars Wrigley's deep-rooted commitment to integrating sustainability into its culture and operations.

Collaboration emerges as a cornerstone of Mars Wrigley's sustainability journey, with the company actively engaging partners and suppliers through initiatives like the Supplier Leadership on Climate Transition coalition. Davies stresses that procurement strategy extends beyond material sourcing, playing a pivotal role in enhancing supply chain resilience, optimizing for carbon reduction, and driving operational excellence.

In pursuit of sustainable procurement practices, Davies underscores the importance of establishing trust and fostering collaborative relationships with suppliers, which she terms as "strategic intimacy" and "collaborative advantage." This approach transcends traditional supplier interactions, aiming for collective impact and mutual growth across the supply chain ecosystem.

As Mars Wrigley navigates future challenges, including technological advancements like AI and machine learning, Davies underscores the importance of holistic leadership development, combining analytical capabilities with intuitive and creative insights. She advocates for a results-oriented approach, prioritizing tangible actions and measurable outcomes over lofty promises.

In essence, Davies champions a paradigm where sustainability and procurement intertwine, driving accountable performance and meaningful impact across Mars Wrigley's supply chains and beyond.

Source: Sustainability Magazine‍