Founded in 1986 as a partnership between Nittoku and Autoneum, UGN is the preferred producer of high quality acoustic, interior trim, and thermal management products, and a recognized leader in customer satisfaction for the Japanese transplant automotive industry in North America. UGN, with more than $400 million in revenue, has six locations in the United States—Novi, Michigan; Jackson, Tennessee; Monroe, Ohio; Somerset, Kentucky; Downers Grove, Illinois; and Valparaiso, Indiana; as well as a location in Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico—specializing in manufacturing, research, development, testing, and service support.

UGN’s corporate headquarters is located in Downers Grove, Illinois. The office is home to 8 departments and 70 team members as well as our senior management team. UGN has a strong, corporate wide focus on giving back to the community, and as such the team members are proud supporters of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. UGN recently achieved ranking as a “Best Company to Work for in Illinois” for 4 years in a row. Based on three core values of Respect, Trust and Communication, UGN prides itself on a unique culture that is the UGN Way.

Learn more about UGN at: https://ugn.com/

https://vimeo.com/255503961

https://www.linkedin.com/company/66127

The Buyer – Indirect Materials & Services compiles information and records to prepare purchase orders for procurement of materials and services. Processes vendor invoices for payment. Sets up new vendors and maintains indirect materials and services, purchasing documents and files for the corporate facility. This position is based at our headquarters in Downers Grove, IL and has a hybrid schedule with 3 days/week in the office and the rest remote.

Responsibilities:

• Review Internal Order Requests (IORs) to ensure required documentation, signatures, approval authorizations, etc. are provided as back up for entering Purchase Orders; follow-up with requestor if additional details are required.
• Issue Non-Inventory Purchase Orders for internal customers as needed based on the requirements listed on iProcurement requisition.
• Negotiate and process Purchase Orders for Sample Material, Tooling Projects, Capital Assets, Development Projects, etc.
• Initiate requests for new vendors and work with Accounts Payable.
• Verify and process vendor invoices following established procedures, resolving price/quantity discrepancies, ensuring vendor account is current, verifying materials received, and forwarding complete Invoice Package to Accounts Payable for payment processing.
• Responsible for the procurement of Maintenance, Repair and Operational (MRO) assets
• Responsible for managing the MRO supply chain process to achieve process efficiency at the lowest cost across multiple UGN facilities.
• Create MRO cost reductions by leveraging available resources and cultivating new partnerships, e.g., use the Internet to seek and source other viable vendors, purchase used equipment via auctions, and eliminate steps and costs in the supply chain by finding ways to buy and ship direct to the end user.
• Prepare instructions regarding purchasing systems and procedures.
• Analyze market and delivery conditions to determine present and future material availability and prepare market analysis reports when required.
• Evaluate vendor quotations utilizing appropriate negotiation and purchasing techniques to ensure quality, price, delivery and service.
• Recruit and maintain suppliers that provide high quality products and services at a better price while maintaining the highest code of ethics and conduct.
• Review purchase order claims and contracts for conformance to company policy.
• Prepare and review contracts, bids, proposals, and vendor agreements for legal correctness, price and acceptability of items to specifications.
• Negotiate costs for current and future indirect material commodities such as cellular phones, small parcel, purchasing cards, transportation, energy, service contracts, forklifts, safety products, security, office equipment, office supplies and waste disposal requirements for single or multiple company locations.
• Work with other facility buyers and corporate purchasing to ensure consistent and most beneficial procurement methods are utilized.
• Oversee all activities related to procurement of a commodity, from intent to purchase through delivery of commodity.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor degree from accredited four-year college or university; and one to three years related training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications - Word, Excel, Access; Microsoft Outlook; Internet software and knowledge of Inventory software; Manufacturing software and Order processing systems. ERP systems experience (Oracle) is a plus.

• Good with data and analysis. Ability to calculate figures and amounts. Attention to detail.

• Familiarity with purchasing/supply chain/accounting terminology, concepts, practices and procedures.
• Seeking a multi-tasker with good project management skills as well as strong communication/negotiation skills with internal and external partners.