Roles & Responsibilities
- What is a Green Suppliers Network Partner?
- What type of commitment is expected of participating Partners?
- Should the Partner contact the MEP centers or state environmental experts directly?
- What is a Green Suppliers Network Corporate Champion?
- What are Corporate Champions expected to contribute?
- How should Corporate Champions select Partners to participate?
- Can a Corporate Champion provide Partners with incentives to share review information and cost savings?
What is a Green Suppliers Network Partner?
A Green Suppliers Network Partner is any small or medium-sized supplier that undergoes a Green Suppliers Network technical review. View the Benefits page to learn how suppliers benefit from participating in the Green Suppliers Network.
What type of commitment is expected of participating Partner?
After a supplier has made a commitment to undergo a review, the Green Suppliers Network review team will work with the supplier to schedule a review date. Reviews take approximately three to four nonconsecutive days including the half-day pre-visit and the two- to three-day review. Following the review, suppliers are expected to attempt to implement cost-effective improvements. The Partner Guide helps prepare Partners for the review.
Should the Partner contact the MEP centers or state environmental experts directly?
No. All reviews are arranged through the Green Suppliers Network headquarters to make sure you have the best team. Interested Partners should use the Join Now page, and the Green Suppliers Network will put the Partner in contact with the applicable review team.
What is a Green Suppliers Network Corporate Champion?
Corporate Champions are large manufacturers that are at the top of the supply chain. Corporate Champions are committed to improving the health of their supply chain and helping their small and medium-sized suppliers remain competitive and environmentally sound. View the Benefits page to learn what a Corporate Champion can achieve by participating in the Green Suppliers Network.
What are Corporate Champions expected to contribute?
Corporate Champions provide leadership and drive Partner participation. They:
- Contribute time and staff members to foster and coordinate supplier participation.
- Engage in dialogue on product specifications that might prevent environmental and cost improvements.
- Provide input on sector-wide needs.
- Mentor suppliers through implementation if requested by supplier and resources are available.
The Corporate Champion Guide explains how Corporate Champions participate in the Green Suppliers Network process.
How should Corporate Champions select Partners to participate?
Corporate Champions can determine which suppliers to nominate. See How to Choose Suppliers (PDF, 2 pp, 85 KB) for tips.
Can a Corporate Champion provide Partners with incentives to share review information and cost savings?
Yes. Although Corporate Champions are not required to provide incentives, monetary or otherwise, they can tailor the program to fit their needs. In the past, some Corporate Champions have offered a credit toward the cost for committed suppliers. They have also offered reimbursements if a supplier agrees to share the review's findings and commits to implementing review recommendations. In this case, suppliers could decide whether or not to take advantage of this offer after the review has been conducted.
