Buyer

acquisition of materials/services while maintaining appropriate quality standards. Given the business of the Aquarium, this role brings tremendous variety and unique opportunities and challenges. In addition to operational support, the Buyer is responsible for issuing bids and RFPs for non-complex goods, negotiating prices as needed, selecting and managing vendors, working cross-functionally throughout the organization, and coordinating all day-to-day purchasing activities. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Demonstrate commitment to Shedd's vision,
  mission, and values.
• Collaborate with departments by researching, planning,
  and negotiating on behalf of the user departments to
  facilitate an efficient methodology for the purchasing of goods and
  services.
• Consolidate and centralize purchases throughout the
  organization to take advantage of large volume discounts, eliminate
  redundancy, and introduce best practices.
• Timely and accurately
  process all documentation relating to Aquarium procurement
  activities.
• Perpetuate a 12-month rolling schedule (buying plan) of all
  active, budgeted, or required contracts while also planning
  for and supporting the renewal, renegotiation, or rebidding of expiring
  contracts in a proactive and timely fashion.
• Assist staff in
  the development of specifications of goods and services to be
  purchased.
• Identify and qualify potential vendors, obtain
  proposals/quotes, negotiate prices and terms of purchases, issue purchase
  orders, and recommend credit card purchases as
  necessary.
• Request quotes for required goods and services. Evaluate vendor responses
  with appropriate staff.
• Follow up with
  staff and vendors on the status of orders when irregularities arise.
• Monitor the use
  of vendors who are designated as Diverse
  Business Enterprises (DBEs) and prepare all required reports documenting such use.
• Enter
  and maintain supplier information in
  Shedd's financial system, including ensuring that information is accurate and suppliers are categorized
  properly for 1099
  reporting.
• Maintain documentation relating to policies, procedures, and training.
• Maintain external-facing
  information on
  how to do business with Shedd Aquarium.
• Communicate and coordinate the purchasing activity for certain designated
  Preferred Vendors
  as the sole providers of certain goods or services as a result of special circumstances, competitively bid, or negotiated
  special rates or
  terms. Provide any recommendations for deviation to the Senior Director of Contracts and Purchasing for review and
  approval.
• Recommend to the Senior Director of Contracts and Purchasing any changes to purchasing policies and procedures that
  appropriately balance cost, service, quality, and other considerations in the purchase of goods and services.
• Perform other duties
  as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability
required.

Education: Bachelor's degree preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant
experience.

Experience:

• 3+ years of relevant purchasing, procurement, sourcing, contract
  administration, or related experience.
• Procurement certification, such as NIGP or ISM certificates, preferred but not
  required.
• Experience in a nonprofit or similarly complex organization preferred.

Knowledge, Skills &
Abilities:

• Working knowledge of purchasing and procurement practices, with the ability to learn and consistently
  apply organizational purchasing procedures.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to evaluate
  information, exercise sound judgment, and independently identify and resolve issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills,
  with the ability to clearly and professionally communicate complex purchasing, vendor, and business-related information.
• Working
  knowledge of basic contract principles, including terms and conditions, pricing, scope of work, and vendor obligations.
• Ability to
  effectively negotiate and work with suppliers while balancing cost, service, quality, and organizational needs.
• Strong
  customer-service orientation with the ability to build effective working relationships and respond to internal partners, colleagues, and
  suppliers in a timely, professional, and diplomatic manner.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to independently
  manage multiple priorities, take initiative, and meet competing deadlines while working collaboratively as part of a
  team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with Sage Intacct
  preferred.
• Experience with a contract management system preferred.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately
  handle sensitive information.

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT SHEDD: We offer competitive compensation packages and
opportunities for
professional growth within our organization.

• Medical Insurance, including FSA and HSA plan
  options
• Vision and Dental
  Insurance
• Accrued Paid Time Off
• Up to 12 Paid Holidays
• Life
  Insurance
• Parental Leave and Adoption
  Assistance
• 401(k)
• Discounted Parking and Public Transit
  Subsidies
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee
  Wellness program, including Preventive Care Incentive
• Employee
  Discounts
• Employee Tickets

Reasonable
Accommodations:
Shedd Aquarium is committed to working with
and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with
disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the
employment process, please email us at jobs@sheddaquarium.org.

We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community,
veterans and active duty military,
parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd
Aquarium is an equal opportunity
employer and welcomes everyone to our team.