Global Sourcing Manager (Hybrid)

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

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

Qualifications

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 tailor