UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher

Company: Uline

Location: Pleasant Prairie, WI, United States (with potential for hybrid presence in Milwaukee, WI; Waukegan, IL; and Glenview, IL)

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience Research / GTM Enablement

Date Posted: August 27, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive impactful user research initiatives to enhance Uline's customer-facing eCommerce platforms and internal applications.

• Leverage a blend of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies to uncover critical user needs and identify strategic business opportunities within the digital experience.

• Translate complex research findings into clear, actionable insights and compelling deliverables that influence product development and business strategy.

• Foster strong cross-functional collaboration with UX Designers, business stakeholders, and development teams to ensure user-centered solutions are effectively implemented.

• Contribute to a data-driven decision-making culture, ensuring that customer insights are at the forefront of digital product evolution.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UX Researcher," the emphasis on "customer-facing eCommerce channels and internal applications" and collaboration with "business teams and stakeholders" suggests this role has strong ties to Go-To-Market (GTM) enablement. The insights generated will directly inform how Uline's digital platforms serve its customer base, impacting sales, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency. This role is crucial for refining the user journey, which is a key component of GTM strategy.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive user research strategies for Uline's eCommerce websites and internal operational applications, ensuring alignment with business objectives.

• Conduct a variety of qualitative research methods, including user interviews, usability testing, contextual inquiries, and diary studies, to gather deep user insights.

• Perform quantitative research such as surveys, A/B testing analysis, and website analytics review to identify trends and measure user behavior.

• Execute market and competitive analysis to benchmark Uline's digital offerings against industry standards and identify areas for differentiation and improvement.

• Design and facilitate collaborative workshops with cross-functional teams (e.g., UX Design, Product Management, Marketing, IT) to ideate solutions and prioritize research findings.

• Create detailed research plans, test protocols, and compelling presentations that clearly communicate findings, insights, and actionable recommendations to diverse audiences.

• Partner closely with UX Designers to translate research insights into wireframes, prototypes, and user flows that address identified user needs.

• Collaborate with business teams and stakeholders to ensure research findings are understood and integrated into product roadmaps and strategic planning.

• Advocate for the user throughout the product development lifecycle, championing user-centered design principles and practices.

• Maintain and organize research data, insights, and documentation to build a knowledge base for ongoing product improvement and strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on both customer-facing (eCommerce) and internal applications. This implies the UX Researcher will not only impact external customer acquisition and retention but also internal operational efficiency, which is critical for GTM success. The emphasis on "identifying opportunities for improvement" and "turning research into action" points towards a proactive role in driving strategic initiatives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in User Experience (UX) Design/Research, Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Anthropology, Sociology, or a closely related field. Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years of hands-on experience in user experience research, with a strong preference for candidates with 2-5 years of relevant experience.

• Demonstrated experience in planning, conducting, and analyzing both qualitative and quantitative user research.

• Proven track record of facilitating collaborative workshops and design thinking sessions.

• Experience working with cross-functional teams in an agile or product development environment. Required Skills:

• User Research Methodologies: Proficiency in a wide range of qualitative (interviews, usability testing, contextual inquiry) and quantitative (surveys, analytics, A/B testing analysis) research methods.

• Analytical & Critical Thinking: Strong ability to analyze complex data, identify patterns, synthesize findings, and derive actionable insights.

• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal, written, and visual communication skills, with the ability to present research findings clearly and persuasively to diverse stakeholders, including executive leadership.

• Workshop Facilitation: Experience in designing and leading effective collaborative workshops to drive ideation and problem-solving.

• User-Centered Design Principles: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles and how to apply them to digital products.

• Time Management & Organization: Ability to manage multiple research projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience researching eCommerce platforms and/or internal business applications.

• Familiarity with UX design tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD) for understanding and collaborating on designs.

• Knowledge of web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics).

• Experience with survey platforms (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics).

• Understanding of A/B testing principles and analysis.

• Experience in the distribution, logistics, or industrial supply industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "2+ years of UX research experience" combined with the breadth of responsibilities suggests that candidates with 3-5 years of experience will be highly competitive. The preference for specific fields like Psychology and Anthropology indicates a value placed on understanding human behavior, which is core to effective UX research.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Research Case Studies: A robust portfolio showcasing 3-5 detailed case studies demonstrating your end-to-end UX research process. Each case study should clearly articulate the problem, your research objectives, methodologies used, key findings, and the impact of your research on product decisions and business outcomes.

• Methodology Diversity: Evidence of applying a diverse range of research methods (qualitative and quantitative) to solve different types of problems.

• Deliverable Examples: Examples of research deliverables, such as user personas, journey maps, usability test reports, and insight presentations.

• Impact Demonstration: Clear articulation of how your research directly influenced product design, strategy, or business metrics (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved task completion, reduced support tickets).

• Collaboration Evidence: Examples or descriptions of how you collaborated with designers, product managers, and stakeholders to translate research into actionable solutions.

Process Documentation:

• Research Planning: Documentation outlining your approach to defining research questions, selecting appropriate methodologies, recruiting participants, and creating detailed research plans.

• Execution & Analysis: Examples of how you meticulously execute research studies and analyze both qualitative and quantitative data to extract meaningful insights.

• Insight Communication: Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex findings into clear, concise, and actionable recommendations tailored for different audiences, supported by visual aids and storytelling.

• Cross-functional Integration: Evidence of how your research processes integrate with design, development, and business strategy workflows to ensure user insights drive product evolution.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Researcher role, the portfolio is paramount. It's not just about showing what you did, but how you did it and what the impact was. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their process in detail, focusing on problem-solving, methodology selection, and the tangible business value derived from their research.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for UX Researchers with 2-5 years of experience in the greater Milwaukee/Chicago metropolitan area, the estimated salary range for this position is $75,000 - $105,000 annually. This range accounts for the cost of living in the region, the specific responsibilities outlined, and Uline's status as a well-established, stable company. Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Full health insurance coverage available.

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with an exceptional 6% employer match that begins on day one of employment.

• Performance Incentives: Multiple bonus programs designed to reward individual and company performance.

• Paid Time Off: Generous paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for work-life balance.

• Professional Development: Tuition Assistance Program to support continuing education and professional growth.

• On-site Amenities: Access to an on-site café and a first-class fitness center with complimentary personal trainers.

• Wellness Facilities: Over four miles of maintained walking trails for employee well-being.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time, on-site position. Standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, aligning with Uline's business operations. While the role is on-site, the nature of research may involve flexible scheduling for participant recruitment and interviews outside of core business hours on occasion.

📝 Enhancement Note: Uline's stated benefits, particularly the 6% 401(k) match starting day one and multiple bonus programs, are highly attractive and competitive. The salary estimate is based on data from reputable sources for UX Researcher roles in the Midwest region, factoring in the experience level and the company's industry standing.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Wholesale Distribution (Shipping, Industrial, Packaging Materials)

Company Size: Uline is a significant player with over 10,000 employees across North America, indicating a large, stable organization with established processes.

Founded: Uline was founded over 45 years ago, signifying a long history of stability, growth, and a well-defined business model. This longevity suggests a culture that values reliability, long-term vision, and customer commitment.

Team Structure:

• The UX Researcher will likely be part of a growing eCommerce or Digital Product team, reporting into a UX Lead, Product Management, or Digital Innovation department.

• This role necessitates close reporting and collaboration with UX Designers, Product Managers, Data Analysts, Marketing teams, and potentially IT and Operations departments.

• The structure likely involves a matrixed approach where the UX Researcher supports various product initiatives and cross-functional teams, ensuring a user-centric perspective is maintained across the digital landscape. Methodology:

• Uline emphasizes a customer-centric approach, aiming to make their eCommerce platform the "easiest place to do business." This suggests a practical, results-oriented methodology focused on tangible improvements and customer satisfaction.

• The company's size and industry imply a need for structured processes, data-driven decision-making, and a focus on efficiency and scalability in their digital operations.

• Collaboration is key, with an expectation to "turn research into action and influence decisions," indicating a proactive and communicative approach to problem-solving.

Company Website: https://www.uline.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Uline's industry as a leading distributor means the UX Researcher will be working on platforms critical to the company's core business operations. The emphasis on "easiest place to do business" implies a focus on efficiency, ease of use, and reliability in the user experience, which aligns well with operations and GTM goals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an intermediate-level UX Researcher. It requires independent execution of research tasks and the ability to influence cross-functional teams, but likely involves some guidance from senior researchers or UX leads. The scope includes both customer-facing and internal applications, offering a broad exposure to different user types and business challenges.

Reporting Structure: The UX Researcher will report to a manager within the Digital or Product organization, likely a UX Manager, Director of Product, or similar leadership role. They will work closely with UX Designers and Product Managers on specific projects.

Operations Impact: The insights generated by this role directly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of Uline's Go-To-Market strategy. By improving the user experience on eCommerce platforms, the researcher contributes to increased customer acquisition, retention, and order value. Enhancing internal applications can streamline sales, customer service, and operational workflows, reducing costs and improving overall business performance.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific research areas (e.g., generative research, evaluative testing, specific methodologies) or focus on particular product domains (e.g., customer-facing eCommerce, internal sales tools, logistics applications).

• Leadership: Potential to grow into a Senior UX Researcher role, leading research initiatives, mentoring junior researchers, and taking on more strategic research planning.

• Cross-functional Advancement: Develop strong relationships and understanding of business operations, potentially leading to roles in Product Management, UX Strategy, or GTM enablement roles that leverage research expertise.

• Continuous Learning: Uline's Tuition Assistance Program and the dynamic nature of UX research provide ample opportunities for skill development through courses, conferences, and hands-on project experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of "internal applications" alongside "eCommerce channels" is a key differentiator. This role offers a unique opportunity to impact both customer acquisition/retention and internal operational efficiency, providing a well-rounded experience valuable for career progression within GTM and operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role at Uline's Corporate Headquarters in Pleasant Prairie, WI. The company highlights its "on-site café and first-class fitness center with complimentary personal trainers" and "over four miles of beautifully maintained walking trails," suggesting a campus-like environment designed for employee well-being and productivity.

Office Location(s):

• Primary location: Corporate Headquarters, 12575 Uline Drive, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158.

• The job listing also mentions proximity to Milwaukee, WI; Waukegan, IL; and Glenview, IL, suggesting these may be areas where other Uline facilities are located or where potential candidates might reside, with the expectation of being based in Pleasant Prairie. Workspace Context:

• The environment is likely professional and structured, typical of a large, established distribution company.

• Expect a collaborative workspace that encourages interaction with UX Designers, Product Managers, and other business stakeholders.

• Access to modern office technology and resources will be available to support research activities and data analysis.

• The emphasis on on-site amenities points to a company culture that invests in employee comfort and productivity. Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected, primarily Monday through Friday.

• While the core hours are standard, the nature of UX research may require some flexibility to accommodate participant availability for interviews and usability testing sessions, which could sometimes fall outside of typical business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "on-site" requirement is critical. Uline emphasizes its campus environment and amenities, indicating a strong preference for in-person collaboration and a culture that supports employees being physically present.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and resume, likely focusing on your UX research experience and alignment with the minimum requirements.

• Portfolio Review: Candidates will be asked to submit a portfolio. This is a critical step where your research case studies will be evaluated for methodology, rigor, insights, and impact.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: Expect a discussion with the hiring manager and potentially other UX team members. This interview will delve deeper into your research experience, problem-solving approach, and how you collaborate with teams. Behavioral questions and scenario-based questions related to UX research challenges will likely be asked.

• Cross-functional Interview: You may interview with stakeholders from Product Management, Design, or Business teams to assess your ability to communicate research effectively and influence decision-making across departments.

• Final Interview: A final interview may involve senior leadership or a broader panel to assess cultural fit and overall strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest case studies that best represent your skills and experience relevant to Uline's needs (eCommerce, internal tools, B2B context if applicable).

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly outline the business problem, your research goals, the methodologies you employed (and why), your key findings, and most importantly, the impact your research had on the product or business. Use visuals to illustrate your process and findings.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, include metrics or data that demonstrate the success of your research (e.g., "Usability testing identified 5 critical issues, leading to a 15% improvement in task completion rates," or "Persona development informed a new feature that contributed to a 10% increase in conversion").

• Showcase Collaboration: Briefly explain how you partnered with designers, developers, and business stakeholders to translate insights into actionable recommendations and implemented solutions.

• Be Prepared to Discuss: Be ready to elaborate on any aspect of your portfolio, including your decision-making process, challenges faced, and lessons learned.

Challenge Preparation:

• While not explicitly stated, be prepared for potential exercises that might involve analyzing a hypothetical problem, critiquing an existing design, or outlining a research plan for a given scenario.

• Practice articulating your research process concisely and clearly, focusing on how you would approach understanding user needs and driving product improvements for a company like Uline.

• Brush up on your understanding of Uline's business and its eCommerce presence to demonstrate genuine interest and context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "turning research into action" means interviewers will be looking for candidates who don't just report findings but actively drive product and business improvements. The portfolio should clearly demonstrate this outcome-oriented approach.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: Experience with various research platforms and tools for usability testing, surveys, and participant recruitment (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics).

• Collaboration Tools: Familiarity with collaboration and documentation tools such as Jira, Confluence, Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides), or Microsoft Office Suite.

• Prototyping/Design Tools (Familiarity): While not a designer, understanding and being able to comment on prototypes created in tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD is beneficial for effective collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Proficiency in interpreting data from web analytics tools like Google Analytics or Adobe Analytics to inform research questions and validate findings.

• Data Analysis Tools: Basic skills in spreadsheet software (Excel, Google Sheets) for data manipulation and analysis.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Understanding: Familiarity with CRM systems (like Salesforce, though Uline may use proprietary systems) to understand customer data context, especially for internal application research.

• Project Management Tools: Experience with project management software to track research timelines and deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, the role implies proficiency with standard UX research platforms and a strong ability to analyze data from web analytics and business systems. The ability to work effectively within a collaborative digital toolset is essential.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A strong commitment to understanding and serving customer needs, aiming to make interactions "easy" and efficient. This translates to prioritizing user satisfaction and addressing pain points directly.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: An expectation to base recommendations and strategies on thorough research and analysis, demonstrating tangible impact and ROI.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on working effectively across departments to achieve common goals, sharing insights, and collectively developing solutions.

• Efficiency & Effectiveness: A drive to optimize processes and digital experiences to improve operational performance and business outcomes.

• Commitment to Growth: Encouragement of continuous learning and development, supported by company programs like tuition assistance.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role is inherently collaborative, requiring close partnership with UX Designers, Product Managers, Marketing, and potentially IT and Operations teams. Expect regular meetings, joint planning sessions, and shared ownership of product outcomes.

• Insight Sharing: A culture that values open communication and proactive sharing of research findings to inform strategy and design decisions across the organization.

• Feedback Exchange: An environment where constructive feedback is exchanged to refine research approaches, designs, and overall product strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: Uline's emphasis on being "North America’s leading distributor" suggests a culture that values reliability, professionalism, and a strong work ethic, combined with a modern approach to digital customer experience.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively managing and synthesizing input from diverse stakeholders with potentially competing priorities, ensuring user needs remain central.

• Researching Internal Tools: Adapting research methodologies and framing to effectively understand the needs of internal users who may have different motivations and technical proficiencies than external customers.

• Driving Action from Insights: Ensuring research findings are not just delivered but actively adopted and translated into concrete product improvements and strategic shifts within a large organization.

• Pace of Business: Keeping pace with the demands of a rapidly evolving eCommerce landscape and internal application development while maintaining research rigor.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Methodological Expansion: Gaining experience with a wider array of research techniques and applying them to complex B2B eCommerce and internal operational contexts.

• Strategic Influence: Developing skills in influencing product roadmaps and business strategy through compelling research narratives and data.

• Cross-functional Expertise: Deepening understanding of eCommerce operations, supply chain, and industrial distribution by working closely with business stakeholders.

• Career Progression: Potential to move into senior research roles, lead research initiatives, or transition into related fields like Product Management or UX Strategy, leveraging the broad experience gained.

• Formal Training: Access to Uline's Tuition Assistance Program for relevant courses, certifications, or further education.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenge of researching internal applications provides a unique growth opportunity to develop expertise in enterprise UX research, which is distinct from consumer-focused UX and highly valuable.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used research to significantly influence a product decision. What was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, the data, the stakeholder engagement, and the measurable impact.)

• "How would you approach researching the needs of our internal sales team for their order entry application?" (Demonstrate your ability to adapt methodologies for internal users and understand operational workflows.)

• "Walk us through your process for planning and executing a usability test for an eCommerce checkout flow." (Detail your steps from defining objectives to recruiting participants and analyzing results.)

• "How do you prioritize research requests when multiple stakeholders have urgent needs?" (Showcase your organizational and communication skills, and ability to manage expectations.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Uline and our position in the distribution industry?" (Research Uline's history, products, and market.)

• "How do you see UX research contributing to Uline's goal of being the easiest place to do business?" (Connect your role to the company's mission.)

• "Describe your experience working with UX Designers and Product Managers. How do you ensure effective collaboration?" (Highlight your teamwork and communication skills.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: For each case study, clearly present: The Problem, Your Role & Objectives, Methodology, Key Findings, Recommendations, and Impact/Outcome.

• Visuals Matter: Use screenshots, mockups, personas, journey maps, and charts to illustrate your points and make your presentations engaging.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify results whenever possible. Even qualitative impacts (e.g., "identified a critical usability issue that was causing significant user frustration") are valuable.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Be ready to explain why you chose certain methods, how you recruited participants, and how you handled unexpected challenges or data.

• Connect to Uline: Where possible, subtly tie your experiences and learnings back to Uline's business context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be assessing not only your research skills but also your ability to communicate effectively, collaborate, and drive tangible business value. The portfolio is your primary tool for demonstrating this.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the Uline Careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your most relevant UX research experience, particularly any involving eCommerce, B2B platforms, or internal business applications. Ensure your skills align with the job description's requirements.

• Portfolio Preparation: Assemble a strong portfolio that showcases 3-5 detailed case studies. Focus on demonstrating your end-to-end research process, the impact of your findings, and your collaborative approach. Prepare to walk through these case studies confidently.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Uline's business, its eCommerce website, and its market position. Understand their stated mission of being the "easiest place to do business" and consider how UX research contributes to this.

• Interview Practice: Practice articulating your research process, problem-solving abilities, and collaboration experience. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions and be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details, especially regarding salary estimates and specific portfolio expectations, should be verified directly with the hiring organization during the application and interview process.