OECM is proud to announce that it has been awarded a 2024 Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (SPLC) Leadership Award in the Overall Program category for its leading-edge Supplier Recognition Program (SRP). This prestigious accolade underscores OECM’s commitment to embedding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into procurement practices and achievements in driving meaningful impact across the Broader Public Sector (BPS) through innovation.
Leading the Way in Sustainable and Responsible Procurement
OECM’s winning case study, “Advancing ESG and Social Procurement through OECM’s Supplier Recognition Program,” highlights how the organization has integrated Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into supplier evaluations to drive meaningful change. Providing education, recognition, and practical tools, OECM’s SRP strengthens partnerships between suppliers and Ontario’s Broader Public Sector (BPS), ensuring procurement decisions align with sustainability goals while delivering cost-effective, high-value solutions.
The program fosters continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability, encouraging suppliers to prioritize ethical, environmentally responsible practices. Through this initiative, OECM continues to advance supplier engagement, sustainable procurement, and long-term value creation for the public sector.
“At OECM, we recognize the vital role procurement plays in shaping a more sustainable and socially responsible future,” says Jim Hadjiyianni, President and CEO of OECM. “This award is a testament to our commitment to empowering suppliers and public sector organizations to work together towards a more ethical, sustainable supply chain. We are honoured to be recognized by SPLC, whose leadership in leveraging procurement for positive impact makes this award very meaningful.”
Strengthening ESG Leadership and Supplier Engagement
In 2023, 330 supplier organizations across 77 agreement categories participated in OECM’s SRP, with 62 platinum, 55 gold, and 52 silver distinctions awarded. In addition, 17 suppliers received ESG Special Awards for their leadership in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Environmental Impact, and Social Responsibility.
Building on this success, OECM enhanced the SRP in 2024 by incorporating strategic alignment with the organization’s ESG goals as a key evaluation criterion. ESG is now one of the five core criteria for supplier recognition. The 2024 program engaged 461 suppliers, with 67 supplier organizations across multiple categories submitting ESG initiatives as part of their SRP participation. The 2024 SRP results will be announced in early April, recognizing suppliers that have demonstrated excellence in sustainability and social responsibility. A Supplier Recognition Event will be held in May 2025 in Toronto to celebrate their achievements.
Looking ahead to 2025, ESGI (where “I” stands for Indigenous) will remain a central focus, reinforcing OECM’s commitment to Indigenous engagement and broader sustainability objectives.
Industry Recognition for Excellence in Sustainable Purchasing
“SPLC is thrilled to celebrate OECM’s exceptional leadership in sustainable procurement,” said Marc Heisterkamp, SPLC CEO. “Their innovative approach and measurable results demonstrate the transformative power of sustainable procurement and serve as an inspiration to other organizations seeking to make a positive impact.”
The SPLC Leadership Awards celebrate organizations that drive sustainable purchasing initiatives with measurable environmental, social, and economic benefits. The awards ceremony will take place virtually on Monday, April 14, at 2:00 PM EDT, where attendees can witness the announcement of the award winners and dive deeper into the winning case studies, including exploring OECM’s pioneering approach to supplier engagement. Visit the SPLC Event Page to register.
OECM remains dedicated to supporting public sector organizations—including educational institutions, municipalities, healthcare providers, government agencies, and others—with procurement solutions that deliver both financial and social value. By embedding ESG principles into purchasing decisions, OECM is helping build resilient supply chains, reduce environmental impact, and foster more inclusive, equitable business practices across Ontario’s public sector.
About SPLC
The Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (SPLC) is a global community of purchasers, suppliers, advocates, and experts dedicated to driving positive impact through the power of procurement. Visit SPLC at www.sustainablepurchasing.org.
For more information about OECM, please contact our dedicated Customer Support team at OECM Customer Support or 1-844-OECM-900 (1-844-632-6900).
