About This Course
Supply chains are increasingly under scrutiny from regulators, investors, customers, and civil society. Organisations that fail to integrate sustainability into their sourcing, logistics, and supplier relationships face reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and growing competitive disadvantage. At the same time, those that lead on sustainable supply chain practices are unlocking new efficiencies, strengthening supplier loyalty, and positioning themselves as preferred partners in global markets.
The Sustainable Supply Chain Management Training course, delivered by TrainingComplex, is designed to give supply chain and procurement professionals a structured, actionable path to embedding sustainability throughout their operations. Over five intensive days, participants will move from foundational ESG concepts to advanced supplier engagement strategies, carbon footprint measurement, circular economy integration, and sustainability reporting — all grounded in practical application and current global best practice.
This course draws on real examples from sectors including manufacturing, retail, agriculture, healthcare, and public procurement, making it directly relevant across industries and geographies. Whether your organisation is just beginning its sustainability journey or looking to strengthen an existing programme, this training provides the strategic depth and operational tools to drive meaningful change from within the supply chain function.
Who Should Attend
- Procurement managers and officers seeking to integrate ESG criteria into sourcing decisions
- Supply chain managers responsible for end-to-end operations and supplier performance
- Logistics and operations professionals involved in sustainable distribution planning
- Corporate sustainability and ESG officers collaborating with supply chain teams
- Sourcing analysts and category managers working on responsible procurement
- Compliance and risk managers overseeing supply chain due diligence
- Public sector procurement officials navigating green and social procurement mandates
- Senior executives and directors with strategic oversight of supply chain functions
Learning Objectives
- Explain the business case for sustainable supply chain management and its link to ESG performance
- Apply frameworks such as the UN Global Compact, GRI Standards, and ISO 20400 to supply chain decision-making
- Conduct supplier sustainability assessments and develop responsible sourcing criteria
- Measure and manage Scope 3 carbon emissions across the supply chain
- Design supplier engagement and capacity-building programmes that promote sustainability compliance
- Integrate circular economy principles into procurement and logistics practices
- Identify and mitigate sustainability-related supply chain risks including labour rights, deforestation, and modern slavery
- Develop a supplier code of conduct and sustainability contractual clauses
- Build a supply chain sustainability roadmap aligned with organisational ESG goals
- Prepare supply chain sustainability disclosures using recognised reporting frameworks
Course Modules
Module 1: Foundations of Sustainable Supply Chain Management
- Definition and scope of sustainable supply chain management
- The three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social, and governance
- Evolution from cost-focused to value-driven supply chain thinking
- Key drivers: regulation, investor pressure, consumer expectations, and risk
- Global frameworks: UN SDGs, UNGC, and the Paris Agreement in supply chain context
- The business case: financial, reputational, and operational benefits
Module 2: ESG Standards and Regulatory Landscape
- Overview of key ESG reporting frameworks: GRI, SASB, TCFD, and CDP
- ISO 20400: Sustainable Procurement — principles and implementation guidance
- EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and its supply chain implications
- Modern slavery legislation: UK Modern Slavery Act, Australian MSA, and emerging equivalents
- Green public procurement mandates and their impact on supplier selection
- Navigating conflicting regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions
Module 3: Responsible Sourcing and Supplier Selection
- Embedding sustainability criteria into tender documents and evaluation matrices
- Developing a supplier sustainability pre-qualification questionnaire
- Mapping supply chain tiers to identify where sustainability risks concentrate
- Social procurement: supporting local suppliers, SMEs, and marginalised communities
- Forest risk commodities and responsible sourcing policies (palm oil, soy, timber, beef)
- Balancing sustainability requirements with cost competitiveness and supply security
Module 4: Supplier Risk Assessment and Due Diligence
- Building a supply chain risk register with environmental and social dimensions
- Hot-spot analysis: identifying high-risk geographies, sectors, and commodity types
- Conduct of supplier audits: social compliance, environmental performance, and labour rights
- Third-party audit schemes: SMETA, BSCI, Rainforest Alliance, and Fairtrade certification
- Managing corrective action plans and supplier improvement timelines
- Legal liability and the duty of care in multi-tier supply chains
Module 5: Measuring Carbon Footprint and Environmental Impact
- Understanding Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions and their relevance to supply chains
- Data collection methods for Scope 3 Category 1 (purchased goods and services)
- Carbon accounting tools and supplier-reported emissions data
- Setting science-based targets (SBTi) for supply chain emissions reduction
- Life cycle assessment (LCA) fundamentals for product and packaging decisions
- Tracking and reporting progress against environmental KPIs
Module 6: Supplier Engagement and Capacity Building
- Designing a supplier sustainability engagement programme from the ground up
- Communicating sustainability expectations clearly and consistently to suppliers
- Tiered engagement strategies for strategic, preferred, and transactional suppliers
- Collaborative improvement initiatives: joint projects, shared training, and co-investment
- Incentivising sustainable performance through preferred supplier status and long-term contracts
- Monitoring supplier sustainability progress using scorecards and dashboards
Module 7: Circular Economy and Waste Reduction in Supply Chains
- Circular economy principles: design for longevity, reuse, repair, and recycling
- Take-back schemes, reverse logistics, and closed-loop supply chain models
- Packaging reduction and sustainable packaging materials selection
- Extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations and supply chain implications
- Waste auditing across inbound and outbound logistics operations
- Case studies: circular economy leaders in electronics, textiles, and FMCG sectors
Module 8: Sustainable Logistics and Green Transportation
- Carbon hotspots in freight transport: road, air, sea, and rail comparison
- Modal shift strategies for reducing emissions without compromising service levels
- Last-mile delivery optimisation and urban consolidation centres
- Fleet electrification, alternative fuels, and low-emission vehicle procurement
- Green warehousing: energy efficiency, renewable energy, and LED retrofits
- Supplier delivery performance metrics that include environmental efficiency indicators
Module 9: Supplier Code of Conduct and Contract Management
- Drafting a robust supplier code of conduct covering labour, environment, and ethics
- Embedding sustainability obligations into contractual terms and conditions
- Escalation procedures for supplier non-compliance and breach of code
- Balancing supplier relationships with enforcement of sustainability standards
- Transparency and disclosure requirements in supplier contracts
- Reviewing and updating contracts as regulatory and stakeholder expectations evolve
Module 10: Sustainability Reporting and the Supply Chain Roadmap
- Structuring a supply chain chapter in an organisational sustainability report
- Key performance indicators for supply chain sustainability: leading and lagging measures
- Stakeholder communication strategies: investors, customers, NGOs, and regulators
- Building a multi-year sustainable supply chain roadmap with phased milestones
- Securing internal buy-in from finance, operations, and executive leadership
- Developing a personal 90-day action plan for implementation in participants' own organisations
Requirements & Prerequisites
Participants should have at least two years of experience in procurement, supply chain management, logistics, or a related field. A basic familiarity with procurement processes and supplier relationships is expected. No prior formal sustainability training is required, though an interest in ESG and responsible business practice will help delegates get the most from this programme.
Training Methodology
- Supplier sustainability audit simulation — participants conduct a mock assessment of a multi-tier supplier using a real audit checklist and score card
- Carbon footprint mapping exercise — delegates trace a product's supply chain and calculate indicative Scope 3 emissions using a guided worksheet
- Case study analysis — in-depth examination of real corporate sustainability failures and successes drawn from sectors such as fast fashion, agriculture, and electronics
- Small group strategy workshops — teams develop a supplier engagement plan and sustainability roadmap tailored to a realistic organisational scenario
- Framework application sessions — facilitated walkthroughs of ISO 20400, GRI Supply Chain Standards, and the UNGC principles using worked examples
- Role-play negotiation — participants practise embedding sustainability clauses into supplier contracts through a structured buyer–supplier negotiation exercise
- Peer review of sustainability reports — delegates critique and improve sample supply chain sustainability disclosures against reporting criteria
- Personal action planning — each participant develops a 90-day implementation plan linked to their own organisation's supply chain context
Organisational Benefits
- Strengthened ESG performance and improved scores on investor and stakeholder assessments
- Reduced supply chain risk through proactive identification and management of social and environmental exposures
- Greater alignment with international standards, enabling access to global markets and preferred supplier programmes
- Improved supplier relationships built on shared sustainability values and transparent expectations
- Cost savings through waste reduction, energy efficiency, and circular economy adoption
- Enhanced reputation and brand credibility with customers, regulators, and civil society
- Increased readiness for mandatory sustainability reporting and supply chain due diligence legislation
- A skilled supply chain team capable of leading sustainability initiatives with confidence and measurable impact
Where Is Sustainable Supply Chain Management Training Offered?
This course runs in-person across: Abuja, Nairobi, Kigali, Dubai, Johannesburg, Naivasha, Mombasa, Riyadh, Dar es Salaam, Accra, Lagos, Pretoria, Cape Town, Kisumu, Arusha, Addis Ababa, Kampala, Zanzibar, Nakuru, plus Live Virtual (online) cohorts. Browse live dates for your city below.
Upcoming Schedules
| Location | Format | Dates | Price |
|---|
| Abuja, Nigeria |
In-Person |
5 Oct 2026 – 9 Oct 2026 |
USD 2,800 |
| Nairobi, Kenya |
In-Person |
5 Oct 2026 – 9 Oct 2026 |
KES 105,000 |
| Kigali, Rwanda |
In-Person |
12 Oct 2026 – 16 Oct 2026 |
USD 1,900 |
| Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 4,100 |
| Johannesburg, South Africa |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 3,500 |
| Naivasha, Kenya |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
KES 115,000 |
| Mombasa, Kenya |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
KES 120,000 |
| Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 4,500 |
| Dar es Salaam, Tanzania |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 2,300 |
| Accra, Ghana |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 3,800 |
| Lagos, Nigeria |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 2,500 |
| Pretoria, South Africa |
In-Person |
26 Oct 2026 – 30 Oct 2026 |
USD 3,300 |
| Cape Town, South Africa |
In-Person |
26 Oct 2026 – 30 Oct 2026 |
USD 3,800 |
| Live Virtual |
Online |
26 Oct 2026 – 30 Oct 2026 |
KES 80,000 |
| Kisumu, Kenya |
In-Person |
26 Oct 2026 – 30 Oct 2026 |
KES 120,000 |
+234 more dates — view live schedule →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a sustainability background to attend this course?
No prior sustainability training is required. The course is designed for experienced supply chain and procurement professionals who are ready to integrate sustainability into their existing expertise. The first module establishes the foundational concepts before building to more advanced topics.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion?
Yes. All participants who attend and complete the full five-day programme receive a Certificate of Completion from TrainingComplex. This can be used for professional development portfolios, CPD records, and employer recognition purposes.
Is this course relevant to both public and private sector professionals?
Absolutely. The course covers both green public procurement frameworks relevant to government and development organisations, and ESG-driven supplier management practices used by private sector companies. Examples and case studies are drawn from a range of sectors and organisational types.
What materials will participants receive?
Participants receive a comprehensive course workbook, all presentation slides, sustainability audit templates, a supplier code of conduct template, a carbon footprint mapping worksheet, and access to a curated resource library. These materials are designed to be immediately applicable in the workplace after training.
Can this course be delivered in-house for our organisation?
Yes. TrainingComplex offers customised in-house delivery of this programme for organisations that wish to train a team together. The content and case studies can be tailored to your industry, current supplier base, and specific sustainability goals. Contact TrainingComplex to discuss a bespoke arrangement.
