Senior Manager of Global Sourcing, Plastics, Soft-Sewn and Print

Company Description

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.

Job Description

In a time of unprecedented expansion, we are seeking a Senior Manager of Global Sourcing, Plastics, Soft-Sewn and Print to join our team. In this role, you will support the diversification strategy of our vendor base in these product categories and manage strategic sourcing for new product development and product enhancement. Applicants should have experience with price negotiations, strategic sourcing, inventory management, material forecasting and capacity planning. Ideal candidates will possess superb attention to detail, enthusiasm for negotiation and strong interpersonal skills. The position will report to the Senior Director Global Sourcing Plastics, Soft-Sewn and Print, and you will work as part of a global team, supporting all facets of supply chain management.

A day on the job looks like this:

• Develop and implement end-to-end strategies from vendors to customers to deliver sustainable value through sourcing of Plastics, Soft-Sewn and Print products
• Implement an overall strategy that supports our three-to-five-year growth goals at the lowest possible cost by connecting with strategic vendor partners to create value-driven relationships and implement successful processes and procedures
• Identify, vet, onboard and manage the account management activities to ensure strong working relationships with all vendor partners, in collaboration with the Global team
• Build an effective strategic sourcing network globally by partnering with and fostering strong collaboration with our Global Sourcing team
• Collaborate with all required cross-functional teams globally (Product Management, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain and Asia teams) to provide the most favorable pricing, quality and delivery
• Collaborate with Global Sourcing Leadership team on onboarding new vendors, as well as assessing current vendor capabilities/capacity to mitigate future interruptions and price increases
• Work with global cross-functional product teams to provide the most favorable pricing, quality, delivery and relationship management (vendor) to meet company goals and objectives—including extensive daily communication with global teams in the U.S. and Hong Kong 
• Effectively connect with strategic suppliers and partners to create value-driven relationships and promote new product sourcing as well as dual-sourcing initiatives 
• Manage and execute complicated projects, independently provide updates to leadership, and manage and measure tasks and outcomes across our cross-functional team 
• Lead vendor management strategies to ensure strong working relationships with all suppliers/partners 
• Engage in relationship management with vendors to meet Lakeshore goals and objectives 
• Work with existing vendors to understand core competencies and opportunities for diversifying supply chain, including identifying potential challenges and mitigation strategies 
• Monitor the performance of current suppliers (via vendor scorecards), assessing their ability to meet quality and delivery requirements; identify and qualify new suppliers in Southeast Asia 

Qualifications

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

• College degree in engineering, operations, business, or related field or equivalent experience in relevant field
• 8+ years of experience in Supply Chain and Global Sourcing of soft-sewn and print products
• 3 years of experience in an equivalent position
• 6+ years of experience managing people/projects
• Extensive sourcing of overseas vendors and industry knowledge in the manufacturing processes of plastics, soft-sewn and print products as they relate to Lakeshore’s current catalog 
• Experience working with global cross-functional teams
• Firsthand experience working with global, viable vendors
• Expertise in project management including organizational, verbal and written communication skills 
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills with a proven ability to create and maintain positive working relationships with vendors, suppliers and overseas teams 
• Knowledge of contract formation and overseas negotiation techniques 
• Awareness of strategic and global procurement challenges and the implementation of mitigation strategies 
• Great organizational skills including ability to prioritize and meet deadlines 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills 
• Ability to work flexible hours to accommodate both domestic and/or overseas vendors in different time zones when needed  
• Ability to travel and qualify/validate overseas vendors 
• Intermediate to advanced level of proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint)  

Additional Information

And here’s our end of the bargain!

• Salary: $120,000-$140,000 with an annual bonus of up to 15%
• 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 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.

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