What Procurement Means to Us
Procurement at Corker is the process of selecting, purchasing and managing materials and services in a way that supports:
- Long-term performance and reliability
- Responsible sourcing and ethical practice
- Transparency and accountability
- Continuous improvement over time
We recognise that every procurement decision involves trade-offs. Our role is to make those decisions thoughtfully and with a clear understanding of their wider impact.
Core Principles
All procurement decisions at Corker are guided by the following principles:
- Quality and Fitness for Purpose – Materials and services must be suitable for their intended use and meet defined performance expectations
- Responsibility – Environmental, social and ethical impacts are considered alongside cost and availability
- Transparency – Procurement decisions should be explainable, defensible and open to scrutiny
- Consistency – Clear standards are applied to ensure reliability and repeatability
- Long-Term Value – Preference is given to solutions that perform well over time rather than short-term savings
Supplier Selection
We favour long-term relationships over transactional purchasing. This allows for shared understanding, improved consistency and constructive engagement over time.
When selecting suppliers, we consider:
- Legal and regulatory compliance
- Alignment with our Responsible Sourcing values
- Quality assurance and traceability
- Health, safety and welfare practices
- Willingness to engage openly on performance and improvement
Supplier selection is based on overall alignment rather than a single factor or certificate.
Standards, Certification and Evidence
We recognise the value of recognised standards and certifications where they are relevant and applied appropriately. Depending on the product or service, this may include:
- Environmental management systems (e.g. ISO 14001)
- Quality management systems (e.g. ISO 9001)
- Health and safety management systems (e.g. ISO 45001)
- Material- or service-specific standards
Certification is considered as part of a broader assessment and does not replace judgement or ongoing review.
Ethical and Social Considerations
Corker is committed to ethical procurement and responsible business conduct. We expect suppliers to:
- Comply with applicable labour and employment laws
- Provide safe and fair working conditions
- Operate without forced labour, exploitation or discrimination
These expectations align with our Modern Slavery commitment and apply across our supply chain.
Environmental Considerations
Environmental impact is a key consideration within procurement decisions. We seek to:
- Use materials efficiently and avoid unnecessary waste
- Consider carbon impact, durability and lifespan where relevant
- Support responsible use of recycled and bio-based materials where appropriate
- Avoid exaggerated or unsupported environmental claims
Environmental considerations are assessed proportionately and in context.
Managing Risk and Change
We recognise that availability, regulation and market conditions change over time. Our procurement approach allows for flexibility while maintaining core standards.
We monitor supplier performance and remain prepared to:
- Review procurement decisions
- Address non-conformance or emerging risks
- Adapt sourcing strategies where values or requirements are no longer met
Continuous Improvement
Procurement is an evolving process. We commit to:
- Periodic review of procurement practices
- Improving transparency and data quality over time
- Learning from experience and feedback
- Updating this policy as expectations and best practice develop
Our Position
We do not view procurement as a purely commercial exercise.
It is a responsibility that influences quality, environmental impact and trust.
This policy underpins how Corker selects and manages materials and services
and should be read alongside our Responsible Sourcing Framework and Sustainability commitments.