As well as working towards being a more sustainable company, there is a big drive for us to pass this ethos through our supply chain, creating a domino effect as they in turn task their own vendors and service providers to become more sustainable. We call this Sustainable Procurement. A big part of this is to increase the diversity of our vendors.
But what does that mean?
As a company, we have two main aims for this area:
1. Working towards diverse vendor selection and contracting – considering businesses that are at least 51% owned and operated by an individual or group that is part of a traditionally underrepresented or underserved group in that country.
2. Increasing our spend with small and diverse vendors.
To achieve these objectives, we have implemented a Vendor Diversity Programme, designed to advance diversity in our supply chain. MAC’s Vendor Management Team and any other Purchasing Managers will support this programme. The programme, and the intent behind it, have the commitment of MAC’s Board of Directors.
The programme focuses on three main areas:
1. Actions to work with women-owned businesses (WBE) in the supply chain.
Wherever possible, when gathering a series of vendors to assess and select, the Purchasing Manager will seek to promote the inclusion of WBE in the vendors to be considered to supply a particular product or service. The Purchasing Manager will achieve this by:
– Sourcing diverse vendors from certified bodies and/or associations for women-owned businesses.
– Considering local and/or global women-owned companies. MAC’s Approved Vendor List (AVL) classifies vendors accordingly.
2. Actions to work with businesses owned by minorities/vulnerable groups in the supply chain.
Wherever possible, when gathering a series of vendors to assess and select, the Purchasing Manager will seek to promote the inclusion of diverse suppliers, such as minority-owned (MBE), disability-owned (DBE), veteran-owned (VBE), disabled veteran-owned (DVBE), lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender-owned (LGBT BE), black-owned, and any other business whose ownership is held by members of underrepresented groups in the vendors to be considered to supply a particular product or service.
The Purchasing Manager will achieve this by:
– Sourcing diverse vendors from certified bodies and/or associations for minority-owned businesses.
– Considering local and/or global minority-owned companies. MAC’s AVL classifies vendors accordingly.
3. Actions to advance diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) in the workforce of suppliers.
As well as the above detailed actions, MAC provides a recorded training video on diversity for vendors as part of their Vendor Diversity Programme, to advance DEI in the workforce of suppliers.
Vendor diversity status forms part of MAC’s vendor assessment, with specific questions around this in our Vendor Qualification Process. MAC has training in place for employees involved in purchasing, outsourcing, and vendor selection to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion within the workforce and operations of MAC’s vendors. MAC also provides a recorded training video on Social, Environmental, and Advancing DEI in the Workforce to new vendors as part of their Vendor Diversity Programme, to advance DEI in the workforce of suppliers.
Fleur Onuorah, MAC’s Head of Vendor Management is delighted to progress our efforts in this area and says, “We are very excited to be prioritising a diverse supply chain; not only are we reflecting MAC’s inclusive and socially responsible ethos, but we are also putting MAC at a strategic advantage. Being able to tap into the minds of vendors and suppliers from various backgrounds brings unique perspectives and a wide range of experiences that enable a more innovative and dynamic approach to problem-solving.”
MAC’s mission is to serve with honesty and integrity and to make an outstanding contribution to human health. We embed our approach to DEI into our corporate mission, vision, and values – embracing our differences and providing opportunity within our workforce and supply chain.
MAC is committed to the following DEI goals:
– Aim to provide facilities for the workforce and public that do not discriminate.
– Employ a truly representative workforce.
– Create a working environment free of bullying, harassment, victimisation, and discrimination.
– Work towards diverse supplier selection and contracting – considering businesses that are at least 51% owned and operated by an individual or group that is part of a traditionally underrepresented or underserved group in that country.
– Commit to increasing our spend with small and diverse suppliers.
Incorporating these goals into our Vendor Diversity Programme not only aligns with our sustainable procurement practices but also enhances our overall commitment to ethical business operations.
Read more about MAC’s Corporate Social Responsibility framework and initiatives: https://bit.ly/3LQVaT1
