Senior Project 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

In a time of unprecedented expansion, we’re looking for a Senior Project Manager to join our Product Research & Development team. In this role you will be the lead decision maker in mitigating risk and developing CFT recommendations that drive forward decisions, avoiding impact to schedules. You will also act as an advisor to aesthetics, function and vendor strategy. You will oversee and ensure implementation of product development items from concept through launch. This role requires project management and leadership skills, demonstrated by the ability to influence and lead within a rapidly evolving and cross-functional environment. The candidate should be experienced and well-grounded in the fundamental principles as they pertain to project management of product development. 

In this role, you will lead a cross-functional team whose emphasis will be on delivering innovative, top-of-the-line-quality product against project timelines across a variety of product types and complexities. You will lead the team through the building of project plans, work to align partners, proactively manage and mitigate any risk to project and manage overall timing and action while driving team accountabilities to deliver project objectives. 

A day in the office looks like this: 

• Applying project management principles, including analyzing performance and driving continuous improvement opportunities  
• Leading cross-functional project teams (which may include Research & Development, Engineering, Global teams, Commercial Planning, Regulatory, Sourcing) from concept through launch  
• Clearly communicating key milestones, deliverables and project expectations to project team members, while also identifying and mitigating project risks  
• Driving accountability among cross-functional team members, ensuring alignment and approvals are met 
• Presenting and communicating updates effectively in leadership and cross-functional team forums  
• Facilitating discussions and meetings to enable project teams to resolve conflicts and make timely decisions 
• Creating project documentation, including hind sighting, and keeping an organized file reference structure  

Qualifications

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

• A bachelor’s degree is preferred  
• A minimum of 5+ years of experience in project management in product development organizations. Experience in operations, commercial planning, project engineering or manufacturing planning a plus. 
• Experience working with plastics a huge plus 
• Experience and knowledge in the new product introduction process, sales and operations planning, and the product development process 
• Proficiency in MS Excel is required, with an emphasis on an ability to build and present reports  
• Drive, with excellent senior-level communication and organizational skills, and the ability to influence and constructively challenge teams and business partners to achieve project goals  
• Comfort with working in hybrid setting  
• Strong conceptual, analytical and problem-solving skills  
• Must be comfortable with systems and data analysis  
• Experience in change management and with Kaizen principles are a plus  
• Experience using Workfront is a plus 

Additional Information

And here’s our end of the bargain! 

• Salary: $90,000-$110,000 with an annual bonus of up to 10%
• 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 dress…and we really mean it

At Lakeshore, we know our