At Lakeshore, we create innovative learning materials and world-class guest experiences for teachers, parents and children. Since 1954, we’ve grown into a global community—with a thriving e-commerce business, multiple catalogs, 60 retail stores, a peerless national sales force, plus international offices that support our preeminent supply chain division. But today we’re working better, smarter and faster than ever—and setting our sights even higher. We’re building an infrastructure designed for scalability, embracing data-driven decision-making and using technology to improve efficiency and ensure the best tools for the best work. Most importantly, we continue to invest in a diverse team of inquisitive top talent who fuel each other’s passions and curiosity, take risks, try new things, and believe that every new day brings opportunities for growth.

We are currently seeking a Global Sourcing Manager to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for the overall success of assigned Sourcing Execution Projects in the Furniture and PPSW (Plastic, Paper, Stationery and Wood) categories. You will also help build strategic business cases for vendor transfers, prepare RFQ documentation for new vendors, manage vendor relationships, and collaborate with global, cross-functional product teams to secure favorable pricing, quality and delivery. The position requires working closely with the Global team to ensure vendors meet requirements and execute plans. You will also support project issue escalation and recommend vendor solutions based on project activities. Applicants should have in-depth knowledge of product and cost structures in Plastics or Furniture. The ideal candidate also possesses superb written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate with team members from all levels/areas of the organization.

A day on the job looks like this:

• Collaborating with global cross-functional product teams to ensure vendors provide the best pricing, quality and delivery
• Managing vendor relationships to align with company goals and objectives
• Partnering with the Asia-based teams (Engineering, Quality) to ensure vendor capabilities meet requirements
• Using data-driven insights to execute sourcing plans
• Supporting business case creation to align with and support strategic sourcing plans to reduce costs and mitigate risks
• Coordinating with cross-functional teams to plan future sourcing projects, SKU count and volume, and to assess vendor readiness
• Establishing planning timelines for both near- and long-term projects
• Working with cross-functional teams to execute strategic plans
• Connecting effectively with the Global team and strategic vendors to create value-driven relationships and promote vendor diversification initiatives
• Minimizing risk for non-diverse vendor pool
• Developing relationships and guidelines (i.e., “Lakeshorizing”) with identified transfer factories
• Leading complex projects independently and providing regular updates to leadership
• Leveraging knowledge of the Company’s products and services to manage the needs of diverse stakeholders and ensure effective collaboration with cross-functional partners and vendors
• Achieving margin goals through cost and product development initiatives in collaboration with cross-functional leaders
• Implementing sourcing strategies that maximize value capture and minimize risk with a goal of year-over-year improvement across categories

Got the skills and experience? Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) or equivalent from a four-year college in a related field. An advanced degree is a plus
• 8+ years of experience in global sourcing, with a focus on Plastics or Furniture
• 6+ years of experience in a similar position
• 6+ years of experience managing projects
• Fluency in English (fluency in Vietnamese or Chinese is a plus)
• Superb written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate with team members from all levels/areas of the organization
• Strong negotiation and strategic sourcing expertise
• Excellent project management abilities, with a focus on cost reduction and efficiency
• Advanced skills in cost analysis and ERP systems
• In-depth knowledge of product and cost structures in Plastics or Furniture
• Strategic awareness of global procurement and vendor management
• Intermediate to advanced level of proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Sound judgment and decision-making in day-to-day operations
• Clear and concise communicator, adept at tailoring messages to different audiences
• Proactive collaborator who values diverse perspectives
• Effective team leader who drives accountability and celebrates success
• Ability to hold self and others accountable for outcomes
• Results-oriented mindset with a focus on continuous improvement

And here’s our end of the bargain!

At Lakeshore, we pay local market wages for employees that reside within Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

For this position, new employees joining Lakeshore who live within Los Angeles and Orange Counties are typically brought into the organization at a salary between $82,000-$105,000 depending on relevant experience & skillset.

This range is indicative of projected hiring range. The annual base compensation will take into account each candidate's relevant experience, location, and skillset.

• Bonus eligible 
• Paid leave for new parents to support work/life balance and family bonding 
• Excellent medical/dental and vision coverage—EPO, PPO and HSA 
• 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution (because you will retire someday) 
• Flexible benefits—choose what you like, ignore the rest 
• On-site preschool for our employees’ children 
• On-site employee gym for all levels/fitness needs 
• Generous employee discount 
• Casual dress…and we really mean it 

At Lakeshore, we know our diversity makes us stronger, and when everyone feels included and valued, we all win. We strive to embrace our differences and to create an intentionally diverse and inclusive community that is representative of the teachers, families and children we serve.

We know we couldn’t do the extraordinary things we’re doing without the people on our team. Thanks to the passion and enthusiasm of this spectacular group, Lakeshore is more than a great place to work—it’s a great experience to be part of. Day in and day out, we give everything we’ve got to create products that instill a sense of wonder and foster a true love of learning. To help maintain this high bar for success, we’re constantly on the lookout for people to join us. So if you’re a down-to-earth professional who shares our desire for making a difference, we’d love to hear from you. 

To learn more about Lakeshore, visit www.lakeshorelearning.com/careers.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

People are selected to become members of the Lakeshore family based on skill, merit and mind-boggling talent—not based on race, color, creed, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, marital status, domestic partnership status, military status, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, alienage, AIDS or AIDS-related complex status, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, status as a victim of domestic violence, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If things aren’t equal, we all lose.

To learn about how we collect and use Applicant information, please visit our Employee/Applicant Privacy Policy. INDRLL1