THE PROCUREMENT INTERVIEW

“ With over 95 % of our carbon footprint sitting outside of our direct control, working with suppliers to tackle Scope 3 emissions is crucial to achieving our net-zero goals,” Amanda explains.“ To do that, we focus on building trust with our partners to unlock strategic intimacy and collaborative advantage.”

This approach manifests in substantial, multi-year commitments that signal Mars’ serious intent. Last year, the company launched“ Moo’ ving Dairy Forward” – a multimillion-dollar platform designed to drive investment in new technologies and partnerships to slash greenhouse gas emissions across Mars’ global dairy supply chain. The initiative represents more than financial investment, it is a statement of shared purpose and long-term partnership.

The commitment deepened further this year with the launch of the Farmer Forward Program, developed in partnership with global dairy producer and long-time Mars supplier Fonterra. The programme represents a US $ 27m investment over five years, specifically aimed at empowering dairy farmers to embrace climate-smart agriculture practices through funding, tools and technology.

investment in Farmer Forward Program over five years

Activating the entrepreneurial ecosystem Beyond direct supplier partnerships, Mars recognises that transformational change requires fresh thinking and innovative solutions from unexpected sources. In 2024, the company partnered with Unreasonable Group to create Unreasonable Food, an initiative designed to back entrepreneurs addressing the food chain’ s most pressing challenges.

“ Our goal is to provide a catalytic effect on the growth and impact of these ventures, towards the goal of a more sustainable and resilient food system for all,” says Amanda. In September, Mars welcomed the second cohort of founders to the programme, bringing breakthrough innovations closer to commercial viability whilst simultaneously strengthening Mars’ innovation pipeline. This multi-stakeholder approach – engaging established suppliers, farmers and startups simultaneously – creates an ecosystem effect. Suppliers gain access to cutting-edge solutions, startups secure routes to market and Mars accelerates its emissions reduction trajectory while identifying future competitive advantages.

Embedding sustainability in business operations For many organisations, sustainability initiatives exist in a separate silo, measured differently from core business metrics and competing for attention with“ real” business priorities. Amanda rejects this dichotomy entirely, articulating a model where purpose, performance and execution – what she calls“ the pipes” – are inextricably linked.

procurementmag. com 25