Global Sourcing Specialist II (Hybrid)

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 seeking a dynamic and self-motivated individual to join our team as a Global Sourcing Specialist II. In this role, you will lead the revamping of our vendor-vetting process and spearhead the development and implementation of the new vendor onboarding and scaling process. The role involves assisting in strategic planning, building vendor pipeline processes and creating business cases for leadership. The role will develop materials for vendor onboarding plans, ensure consistency with vendor tool kits and improve internal collaboration by documenting SOPs. Key responsibilities include leading strategic Global Sourcing initiatives and managing change. The position also requires collaborating with cross-functional teams on process enhancement projects, supporting leadership in guiding the Global Sourcing department and assessing plan effectiveness. Additionally, the role helps maintain the Diversification project pipeline, provides vendor plans and tool kits and develops data-driven materials for strategic vendor discussions. Applicants should have a strong ability to work cross-functionally and drive change management. The ideal candidate also possesses a “One Lakeshore” approach rather than “us versus them” thinking.

This role may be required to travel domestically and internationally based on project need.

A day on the job looks like this:

• Redesign and optimize the vendor vetting process
• Lead the development and implementation of the vendor onboarding and scaling process
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration and execution
• Drive change management initiatives to support process improvements
• Learn and utilize systems such as ERP and PLM
• Manage long-term projects, proactively providing visibility to stakeholders
• Occasional travel may be required for vendor onboarding implementation
• Responsible for Global Sourcing projects, vendor tool kit building and Global Sourcing process and operations documentation needs
• Responsible for Global Sourcing process-building initiatives by assisting in the documentation needed to execute strategic planning, build vendor pipeline processes and create business cases for leadership
• Develop materials for vendor plans for category teams and leadership, ensure consistency across Global Sourcing with vendor tool kits and improve internal collaboration by documenting SOPs and vendor vetting processes
• Aid in China diversification, creating materials to build and localize vendor funnels, and managing change
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, Global Sourcing analytics and category teams on process enhancement projects
• Support leadership in guiding Global Sourcing department through execution and assess plan effectiveness
• Additionally, help maintain the project pipeline, provide vendor plans and tool kits for all category teams, and update project pipelines with a five-year plan, adjusting for global events
• Develop data-driven materials to guide leadership in strategic vendor decisions, such as tariff avoidance files and top 30 demand tracking files; maintain these materials on a weekly or monthly basis
• Build and maintain vendor scorecards and improvement plans, scoring vendors on metrics like on-time delivery, capacity utilization, quality control, development capability and compliance

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

• Bachelor’s degree
• 2 years of experience in the field or in a similar position
• Proficiency with MS Excel and PowerPoint required; proficiency with Power BI preferred
• Demonstrates a “One Lakeshore” approach rather than “us versus them” thinking
• Good judgment in routine, day-to-day decision-making with limited support from manager
• Articulate information and ideas clearly, both verbally and in writing, ensuring others are kept informed
• Take ownership of own work and show determination in the face of obstacles and setbacks
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally and drive change management
• Self-starter with strong project management skills
• Comfortable learning and using PLM/Arena and SAP systems
• Ability to manage long-term projects independently
• Flexibility to travel occasionally as needed

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 $70,500-$82,000 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