Buyer

Job Description

At UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement, we know why we come to work. We have an exciting opportunity for a Buyer at UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement, based in our Evanston, Illinois, office.

The Buyer facilitates the purchase of goods and services for UL Research Institutes (ULRI) and UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE) organizations. The Buyer works closely with suppliers, internal stakeholders, and other departments to ensure the timely procurement of high-quality products at competitive prices. The Buyer plays a key role in maintaining the supply chain and ensuring the timely review, approval, and resolution of requisitions, purchase orders, change orders, invoices, and receipts to support the organization's goals and requirements.

UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement

At UL Research Institutes (ULRI) and UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE), we expand the boundaries of safety science to create a more secure and sustainable world. For more than a century, we have studied the unintended consequences of innovation, designed solutions to mitigate risk, created new safety standards and shared our findings with academia, scientists, manufacturers, and policymakers across industries. We identify critical safety and sustainability issues, asking the tough questions because we believe a safer world begins with knowledge.

What you'll learn and achieve:

As the Buyer, you will play a key role in the rapid growth of UL as you:

• Review and approve requisitions, purchase orders, and change orders ensuring accuracy of specifications, quantities, and delivery timelines. Ensuring proper documentation is correctly submitted.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to determine procurement needs and create effective procurement strategies.

• Ensure compliance with company policies, ethical standards, and relevant regulations in all procurement activities.

• Identify and mitigate potential supply chain risks, such as disruptions in supply or changes in market conditions.

• Continuously assess supplier performance based on quality, delivery, and service levels to ensure adherence to established standards.

• Oversee the shared procurement inbox, ensuring prompt and accurate responses and effective resolution of inquiries.

• Monitor and manage open purchase order commitments, ensuring continuous review and prompt closure.

• Address and resolve supplier invoice issues promptly, focusing on discrepancies related to purchase orders and receipts.

• Coordinate with suppliers and stakeholders to facilitate returns and resolve mis shipments.

• Review and accurately index supplier contracts within the supplier contract management system.

• Contribute to issue resolution and assist in testing new functionality within the ERP system.

• Analyze procurement data, generate reports, and identify opportunities for cost optimization, process improvements, and efficiency gains.

• Performs other duties as directed.

What you'll experience working at UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement:

For the organizations across the UL enterprise, corporate and social responsibility isn't new. We have pursued our mission of working for a safer, more secure, and sustainable world for nearly 130 years, embedding conscientious stewardship into everything we do.

• People: Our people make us special. You'll work with a diverse team of experts respected for their independence and transparency and build a network, because our approach is collaborative. We collaborate across disciplines, organizations, and geographies to build the global scientific response that today's global challenges require.

• Interesting work: Every day is different for us here. We see what's on the horizon and use our expertise to build the foundations of a safer future. You'll have the opportunity to push the boundaries of human understanding as part of a team working to advance the public good.

• Grow and achieve: We learn, work, and grow together through targeted development, reward, and recognition programs.

• Values. Four core values guide our work: collaboration, respect, integrity, and beneficence. By living our values, we inspire the trust essential to fulfilling our mission and foster the partnerships that enable us to pursue a beneficent future in which we all can thrive.

• Total Rewards: All employees at UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement are eligible for bonus compensation. We offer comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans and a generous 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay. Moreover, we invest an additional 4% into your retirement saving fund after your first year of continuous employment. Depending on your role, you may be able to discuss flexible working arrangements with your manager. We also provide employees with paid time off, including vacation, holiday, sick, and volunteer days.

What makes you a great fit:

While no one candidate will embody every quality, the successful candidate will bring many of the following professional competencies and personal attributes:

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Proficient in using procurement software and tools.

• Knowledge of supply chain management principles and practices.

• Familiarity with sourcing strategies and vendor evaluation processes.

• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

• Attention to detail and ability to prioritize tasks effectively.

• Understanding of relevant regulations and compliance requirements in procurement.

Professional education and experience requirements for the role include:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, supply chain management, or a related field (preferred) or equivalent work experience.

• Minimum 3 years of experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain.

• Workday experience preferred.

About UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement

UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement are nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing safety science research through the discovery and application of scientific knowledge. We conduct rigorous independent research and analyze safety data, convene experts worldwide to address risks, share knowledge through safety education and public outreach initiatives, and develop standards to guide safe commercialization of evolving technologies. We foster communities of safety, from grassroots initiatives for neighborhoods to summits of world leaders. Our organization employs collaborative and scientific approaches with partners and stakeholders to drive innovation and progress toward improving safety, security, and sustainability, ultimately enhancing societal well-being.

Our wholly owned subsidiary, UL Solutions, advances our shared public safety mission. We fund our work through grants, the licensing of standards documents and the business activities of UL Solutions, which conducts testing, verification and certification, and provides training and advisory services, along with data-driven reporting and decision-making tools for customers around the world.

To learn more, visit our websites UL.org and ULSE.org.

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