Global Sourcing Specialist II (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 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

Qualifications

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