Senior Manager - Category Management (Labs)

JOB DESCRIPTION
This role is hybrid on-site (3) days a week in Northbrook, IL
UL Solutions is looking for a strong people leader to be responsible for the day-to-day oversight of both the Procurement Operations and Category Management teams who support how UL Solutions buys better and more efficiently manages operational costs. This role has two core functions: (1) ensuring streamlined operations and (2) managing strategic sourcing across major categories of spend:
RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop Category Plans and sourcing strategies to support a portfolio of key initiatives
• Develop, support and manage the global team that enables controlled, standardized global procurement operations.
• Lead and manage the Category Managers whose deep domain expertise supports UL Solutions business buying requirements. .
• Lead or support category planning and execution. Lead key sourcing initiatives, achieving best value within acceptable risk.
• Contribute to the development of the annual pipeline of sourcing initiatives.
• Manage key suppliers to ensure that all contractual obligations are met, initiatives are performing against business case and that issues and disputes are resolved in a timely manner.
• Build and enhance relationships with strategic suppliers to deliver high levels of service while maintaining best-in-class commercial terms and conditions
• Ensure operational excellence across regional and global teams through strong business process standarization and ownership
• Manages the performance of direct reports and work processes in a matrix environment by defining accountabilities, establishing performance objectives, providing career counseling, feedback and guidance, and ensuring that all policies are understood and adhered to.
• Read and follow the UL Solutions Code of Conduct and follow all physical and digital security practices.
• Performs other duties as directed

#LI-Hybrid.
QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in business, Information Technology, Supply Management, or related field and 8-10 years of experience in developing and executing category strategies in categories/CPSM certification a plus. Familiarity with technologies available in the marketplace today.
• Solves complex problems and takes a broad perspective to identify innovative solutions.
• Comfortable interacting with and presenting to senior leadership.
• Works independently, with guidance in only the most complex situations and lead functional teams/ projects.
• Proven track record of delivering significant and sustainable cost reductions through effective development and execution of sourcing strategy.
• Superior relationship management and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Experienced sourcing practitioner, understanding of best-practice sourcing methodology and a demonstrated track record of working ethically to achieve excellent outcomes.
• Knowledge of standard commercial contracting practices and procedures.
• Ability to interpret and summarizing contractual terms for internal clients, such as license rights, product entitlements, intellectual property, and use restrictions.
• Ability to take a hands-on approach to analyze and interpret spend data is support of sourcing initiatives and UL business objectives.

What you'll experience working at UL:

• Mission: For UL Solutions, corporate and social responsibility isn't new. Making the world a safer, more secure and sustainable place has been our business model for the last 130 years and is deeply engrained in everything we do.
• People: Ask any UL Solutions employee what they love most about working here, and you'll almost always hear, "the people." Going beyond what is possible is the standard at UL Solutions. We're able to deliver the best because we employ the best.
• Interesting work: Every day is different for us here as we eagerly anticipate the next innovation that our customers' create. We're inspired to take on the challenge that will transform how people live, work and play. And as a global company, in many roles, you will get international experience working with colleagues around the world.
• Grow & achieve: We learn, work and grow together with targeted development, reward and recognition programs as well as our very own UL University that offers extensive training programs for employees at all stages, including a technical training track for applicable roles.
• Total Rewards: All employees at UL Solutions are eligible for bonus compensation. UL Solutions offers a generous 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay. Additionally, we invest an additional 4% into your retirement saving fund after your first year of continuous employment. We provide Healthcare Reimbursement Accounts and Health Savings Accounts that UL Solutions contributes to twice per year! Depending on your role, you can work with your manager on flexible working arrangements. We also provide employees with paid time off including vacation, holiday, sick and volunteer time off.

ABOUT US
A global leader in applied safety science, UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS) transforms safety, security and sustainability challenges into opportunities for customers in more than 110 countries. UL Solutions delivers testing, inspection and certification services, together with software products and advisory offerings, that support our customers' product innovation and business growth. The UL Mark serves as a recognized symbol of trust in our customers' products and reflects an unwavering commitment to advancing our safety mission. We help our customers innovate, launch new products and services, navigate global markets and complex supply chains, and grow sustainably and responsibly into the future. Our science is your advantage.