Global Sourcing Operations Manager (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, over 50 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 currently seeking a Global Sourcing Ops Manager to join our team. In this role, you will lead and develop a high-performing Global Sourcing Operations team, driving alignment and accountability in the execution of strategic and operational plans. You will oversee day-to-day operations and key projects, including supplier onboarding, performance management and supplier consolidation, while ensuring consistent delivery against business objectives. The role also focuses on building and standardizing processes, driving continuous improvement and delivering clear, actionable reporting to leadership.

You will foster strong supplier partnerships and a collaborative team environment, while providing leadership in optimizing systems, strengthening team capability through coaching and training, and ensuring adoption of best practices to enable efficient, consistent sourcing operations. Applicants should have strong leadership, sourcing and operational experience. The ideal candidate also demonstrates the ability to drive process improvements, manage cross-functional initiatives and lead teams in a dynamic environment.

A day on the job looks like this:

• Leading the development and execution of strategic and operational plans, driving alignment across category teams and cross-functional partners
• Managing and developing a team by providing coaching, removing barriers and supporting career growth
• Overseeing Global Sourcing (GS) operations, including supplier engagement, training, compliance, sample routing and documentation, making decisions to enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness
• Communicating clear, concise performance updates to leadership, ensuring achievement of goals, delivery of savings and proactive course correction
• Driving process improvements and system integrations to strengthen cross-functional alignment in a dynamic environment
• Leading the optimization and governance of SAP and PLM systems, while establishing standardized processes, sharing best practices and ensuring consistent execution of ERP- and PLM-enabled sourcing activities

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

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, Engineering or Supply Chain
• 6+ years of experience in Sourcing, Supply Chain or a related field, including:
  • 3+ years of experience in a similar role with increasing scope and responsibility
  • 3–5 years of experience leading cross-functional projects and driving execution
  • 1–3 years of people leadership experience, including coaching and performance management
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Experience with Power BI for data visualization and reporting
• Working knowledge of SAP and other ERP systems
• Familiarity with PLM
• Strong interest in applying AI to enhance processes and improve efficiency

What Sets You Apart

• Strong leader who focuses on coaching, developing team capability and driving performance
• Results-oriented operator who sets clear priorities, establishes accountability and delivers on commitments
• Clear communicator who adapts messaging to diverse audiences to build alignment
• Collaborative partner who influences cross-functional stakeholders and fosters a “One Team” environment
• Thoughtful decision-maker who applies sound judgment, business acumen and systems thinking to solve complex problems
• Change leader who drives continuous improvement and supports team adaptability and resilience
• Organized planner who effectively prioritizes, delegates and executes against business objectives
• Relationship builder who develops strong partnerships across global teams and external vendors

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 rate between $98,000-$115,000 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 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.

Lakeshore is an E-Verify employer. We use E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.

Please see the E-Verify Participation Poster and Know Your Rights Poster in English and Spanish for more information. INDRLL1