ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Direct Sourcing Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Cccis

Senior Talent Acquisition Sourcing Partner

Chicago, IL · On-site

$156K - $157K/yr

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, brings strong research and direct-sourcing expertise, and is energized by finding talent others may not easily reach. This role requires ...

JLL

Director, Sourcing

Chicago, IL · Remote

Specialist, Strategic Sourcing - What this job involves: Provide support to Integrated Facilities ... Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page > I want to work for ...

JLL

Senior Director, Sourcing

Chicago, IL · Remote

$156K - $157K/yr

Manager Strategic Sourcing - What this job involves Provide support of Integrated Facilities for ... Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page > I want to work for ...

JLL

Senior Director, PDS Sourcing

Chicago, IL

Enterprise Sourcing Strategy & Innovation Own and execute comprehensive PDS strategic sourcing ... Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page > I want to work for ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsDirect Sourcing JobsDirect Sourcing Jobs in Chicago, IL

Direct Sourcing information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$41.7K

$146.8K

$173.1K

How much do direct sourcing jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for direct sourcing in Chicago, IL is $146,796.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $115,400.00 and $172,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is direct sourcing?

Direct sourcing is a hiring strategy where companies use their own resources and employer brand to identify and engage potential candidates, rather than relying solely on third-party staffing agencies. This approach often includes building talent pools, leveraging employee referrals, and using technology to proactively connect with qualified candidates. Direct sourcing can help organizations reduce hiring costs, improve candidate quality, and create a more consistent employer brand experience. It is commonly used for filling both permanent and contingent workforce needs.

How does a direct sourcing professional typically collaborate with hiring managers and talent acquisition teams?

Direct Sourcing professionals work closely with hiring managers and talent acquisition teams to understand workforce needs, define candidate requirements, and ensure alignment throughout the recruitment process. They often take a consultative approach, providing market insights, sharing candidate pipelines, and facilitating feedback loops. Regular meetings and transparent communication are essential, as Direct Sourcing specialists act as a bridge between external talent pools and internal stakeholders to fill roles efficiently and maintain high-quality candidate experiences.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a direct sourcing specialist?

To thrive as a Direct Sourcing Specialist, you need expertise in talent acquisition, candidate sourcing strategies, and a solid understanding of the industry or roles you are hiring for, typically supported by experience in recruitment or human resources. Familiarity with applicant tracking systems (ATS), sourcing tools like LinkedIn Recruiter, and sometimes certifications such as AIRS or SHRM-CP are valuable. Strong interpersonal skills, effective communication, and the ability to build relationships with candidates and hiring managers set top performers apart. These skills ensure efficient identification and engagement of top talent, leading to successful placements and supporting organizational hiring goals.

What is the difference between Direct Sourcing vs Contract Staffing?

AspectDirect SourcingContract Staffing
Candidate SelectionHires candidates directly from the talent pool or through employer brandingEngages candidates via staffing agencies or third-party providers for temporary roles
Employer ControlFull control over hiring process and onboardingLimited control, managed by staffing agencies
DurationTypically permanent positionsTemporary or project-based roles
Cost StructureHigher upfront costs, benefits, and onboarding expensesLower initial costs, pay-as-you-go model

In summary, Direct Sourcing involves hiring candidates directly for permanent roles, giving employers greater control and long-term investment. Contract Staffing, on the other hand, is suited for temporary needs, managed through staffing agencies, offering flexibility and lower costs. Both methods serve different hiring strategies depending on organizational needs.

What are popular job titles related to Direct Sourcing jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Direct Sourcing jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Direct Sourcing jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Direct Sourcing jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Direct Sourcing jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Direct Sourcing job openings:

Direct Sourcing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Direct Sourcing job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $146,796 per year, or $70.6 per hour.

Head of Sourcing - Indirect Spend

UL Solutions

Northbrook, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago

UL Solutions rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 27 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

30th of 120 rated laboratories

Job description


UL Solutions is seeking a senior leader to build and lead our indirect sourcing strategy across enterprise services and technology. This role is central to shifting the organization from reactive procurement to a disciplined, category-led model that shapes demand, drives enterprise alignment, and delivers measurable value.
This position focuses on enterprise services and technology spend outside of the lab production ecosystem. While direct sourcing supports lab equipment and consumables tied to revenue generation, this role owns the broader enterprise categories that enable the business to operate and scale.
The Head of Category Strategy will define how sourcing engages the business, influence decisions upstream, and establish a structured, scalable approach to category management globally.
This is a full-time, hybrid (3 days in office) position located at our Northbrook, IL or Chicago, IL office.
Responsibilities
Scope of Responsibility
  • Information Technology and Software (direct ownership)
  • Contingent Workforce and Consulting
  • Marketing, Finance, and Professional Services
  • HR and Corporate Services

Excludes lab equipment and consumables managed by the direct sourcing team.
What You Will Own
1. Category Strategy and Value Creation
  • Develop and implement category strategies across major indirect spend areas
  • Establish preferred supplier models and structured commercial frameworks
  • Drive supplier consolidation and stronger strategic partnerships

2. Demand Shaping and Business Engagement
  • Engage early with business and functional leaders to translate needs into structured options
  • Shift sourcing upstream from transaction execution to decision enablement
  • Bring transparency to tradeoffs across cost, speed, and strategic fit

3. Operating Model and Governance
  • Build a consistent, end-to-end sourcing approach from intake through contracting
  • Standardize processes, templates, and governance to reduce fragmentation
  • Drive portfolio-level prioritization across competing investments

4. Strategic Execution
  • Personally lead complex IT sourcing initiatives and critical negotiations
  • Elevate the quality and consistency of commercial outcomes
  • Ensure disciplined decision making in partnership with Finance, IT, and Legal

5. Team Leadership and Capability Build
  • Lead and develop a team of category leaders across indirect spend
  • Clarify roles between strategy and execution to improve speed and accountability
  • Build long-term capability, including future IT category leadership

Transformation Mandate
  • Move the organization from request-based sourcing to category-led planning
  • Replace fragmented supplier usage with structured, scalable ecosystems
  • Improve sourcing cycle time, predictability, and compliance
  • Introduce portfolio thinking into capital and commercial decision making
  • Create a sourcing function that is seen as a strategic partner, not a gatekeeper

What Success Looks Like
  • Category strategies are in place and actively guiding decisions across major spend areas
  • Increased spend under management and reduced supplier fragmentation
  • Faster, more predictable sourcing cycles with clear pathways and expectations
  • Strong adoption of standardized processes, templates, and governance
  • Measurable commercial outcomes tied to cost, value, and risk
  • Business leaders engage sourcing early as part of planning, not after the fact

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Information Technology, Supply Management, or a related field, and 10+ years of experience developing and executing category strategies.
  • CPM/CPSM certification is a plus. Strong experience creating category strategies involving $1M+ CAPEX investments.
  • Deep knowledge of technologies available in today's marketplace.
  • Ability to solve complex problems and take a broad perspective to identify innovative solutions.
  • Comfortable interacting with and presenting to senior leadership.
  • Works independently, requiring guidance only in the most complex situations, and leads functional teams and projects.
  • Proven track record of delivering significant and sustainable cost reductions through the effective development and execution of sourcing strategies.
  • Superior relationship management and cross-functional leadership skills.
  • Experienced sourcing practitioner with a strong understanding of best-practice sourcing methodologies and a demonstrated track record of working ethically to achieve excellent outcomes.
  • Knowledge of standard commercial contracting practices and procedures.
  • Ability to interpret and summarize contractual terms for internal clients, including license rights, product entitlements, intellectual property, and use restrictions.
  • Ability to take a hands-on approach to analyzing and interpreting spend data in support of sourcing initiatives and UL business objectives.
  • Strong process management, organizational, and time management skills.
  • Proven experience leading enterprise IT sourcing, supplier negotiations, and services-based category management.
  • Experience building and scaling sourcing or procurement operating models. Ability to influence senior stakeholders and shape decisions upstream.
  • Demonstrated success driving transformation in complex, matrixed organizations.

Total Rewards: We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. The estimated salary range for this position is $137,600 to $175,000 and is based on multiple factors, including job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, as well as other factors. This position is eligible for annual bonus compensation with a target payout of 20% of the base salary. This position also provides health benefits such as medical, dental and vision; wellness benefits such as mental and financial health; and retirement savings (401K) commensurate with the standard rewards offered in each individual location or country. We also provide full-time employees with paid time off including vacation (15 days), Holidays (9 days), Personal days (3 days) and sick time off (72 hours).
#LI-SM3
#LI-Hybrid
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.

What UL Solutions employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply