Executive Vice President of Procurement

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 an Executive Vice President of Procurement to lead all global sourcing and planning efforts for our Lakeshore-branded and merchant-assorted products. This key role will create and evolve the strategic vision for all procurement functions, partnering with executive peers across the organization to ensure their objectives are aligned and positioned to support company growth plans. The role will also focus on demand management that drives supply analysis/strategy, supplier identification, sourcing execution, contract negotiation, delivery planning and monitoring, purchase execution and ongoing performance management and improvement. The ideal candidate has superior leadership competencies and global expertise in global sourcing and planning strategy. We are seeking someone with exceptional people management skills to guide and support a large group of global team members, build effective executive relationships and demonstrate the ability to influence strategic leadership.  

A day in the office looks like this: 

• Establish and execute a strategy that creates a competitive advantage through the sourcing and procurement of consumer goods 
• Leverage expertise to optimize inventory and total cost of ownership 
• Provide overall leadership and vision for global sourcing and planning   
• Maintain knowledge of market trends 
• Create and manage short-, mid- and long-term goals and objectives, including key KPIs 
• Create and improve best practice–based processes (e.g., strategic planning and buying philosophy, high value/strategic sourcing vision, etc.) 
• Budget ownership for functional management areas—global sourcing and planning  
• Develop benchmarks and scorecards to be used for continuous improvement   
• Build a product Procurement (global sourcing and planning) Center of Excellence (CoE) to support growth of the business 
• Play a pivotal leadership role to deliver highly accurate demand forecasting with anticipation of future needs and growth 
• Executive sponsor (in partnership with Finance and Sales leaders) responsible to establish a monthly S&OP (sales & operational planning) process, facilitating monthly alignment on key assumptions that will drive the strategies for inventory buying and global sourcing 
• Leadership of cross-functional executive teaming across company business functions and initiatives 

Qualifications

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

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management or related field—or equivalent experience in a relevant field    
• 20 years of industry-related experience; 5 years in executive management required    
• Excellent leadership skills and big-picture mentality     
• Strong interpersonal competencies, including people leadership skills for coaching large global teams and influencing strategic vendor partnerships  
• Business and intellectual competencies, including industry knowledge and understanding, negotiating, strategic and tactical planning, sales & operational planning (S&OP) and budgeting, problem analysis, written and oral communication, people development, visioning and creativity  

Additional Information

And here’s our end of the bargain! 

• Salary: $400,000-$425,000 with an annual bonus of up to 25%
• 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 on products that make you smarter
• Casual