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 Global Sourcing Manager, Furniture to join our team. In this role, you will act as an owner, mentor and product category expert. This position supports their team in all aspects of the business and builds strong cross-functional relationships by approaching all interactions with a service mindset. The Global Sourcing Manager will be highly communicative and able to provide recommendations and solutions to problems and ways of working to improve current processes. In addition, the Global Sourcing Manager will multitask efficiently and effectively while maintaining flexibility to accommodate the changing needs of the business. Applicants should have experience solving complex problems through communication with both domestic and international partners. The ideal candidate also possesses a deep understanding of retail math, product performance requirements, materials and global manufacturing processes. 

A day on the job looks like this: 

Utilize knowledge of global sourcing and product development to drive margin objectives and quality standards, and improve efficiencies within the overall product lifecycle process Develop and grow vendors with best-in-class expectations to ensure a supplier matrix that mitigates risk and supports the long-term needs of the business Deliver LLM margin goals by driving cost negotiations and product development initiatives in collaboration with cross-functional partners, the Overseas team and support from senior directors Monitor the performance of current suppliers and assess their ability to meet quality expectations and on-time delivery Work with existing vendors to understand core capabilities and identify opportunities to diversify the overall vendor matrix Maintain a weekly sourcing tracker that captures current and upcoming deadlines in order to escalate, troubleshoot or give insight into issues that could affect overall project timing or cause bottlenecks Information track at a high level with well-rounded organizational skills Understand the details and become a master in understanding what drives the quality, cost and delivery inputs for assigned areas Analyze data to drive purposeful decision-making Willingness to support senior directors as needed on higher-level strategy projects that may include vendor rationalization, consolidation, market diversification or annual cost negotiations Leverage strong communication skills to communicate clearly and effectively to both internal teams and vendors Facilitate key information that drives continual improvement and growth for all stakeholders 

Qualifications

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

6–8 years of experience in Global Sourcing, Product Development and/or Supply Chain Ability to create, develop and implement new processes to drive efficiency in sourcing and product development 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 internal partners, overseas teams and vendors Experience sourcing of overseas vendors with furniture industry knowledge, specifically around upholstery, chairs, seating, metal, wood and engineered wood items 1–2 years of experience in people management Understanding of raw material manufacturing processes with solid wood, plywood, veneers, textiles, vinyls and metal substrates Understanding of factory production timing as it relates to material flows, production output and inventory levels  Experience with/or understanding of quality standards associated with furniture in the contract and hospitality space Ability to work flexible hours to accommodate both domestic and/or overseas vendors in different time zones when needed Advanced level of proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) 

Additional Information

And here’s our end of the bargain! 

Salary: $100,000-$120,000 with an annual bonus of up to 15%Paid leave for new parents to support work/life balance and family bondingExcellent medical/dental and vision coverage—EPO, PPO and HSA401(k) retirement plan with company contribution (because you will retire someday)Flexible benefits—choose what you like, ignore the restOn-site preschool for our employees’ childrenOn-site employee gym for all levels/fitness needsGenerous employee discountCasual 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.

To learn about how we collect and use Applicant information, please visit our Employee/Applicant Privacy Policy. INDRLL11