Senior Project Manager, Global Sourcing; Hybrid

Senior Project Manager, Global Sourcing (Hybrid)

Full-time

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, and international offices that support our preeminent supply chain division. 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 Senior Project Manager to join our Global Sourcing team. In this role, you will lead complex, cross‑functional sourcing projects that support vendor performance, cost management, product changes and key business initiatives. You will partner closely with Global Sourcing, Merchandising, Quality, RD&D, Supply Chain and other internal teams to drive projects from planning through execution with limited supervision.

This position serves as a primary point of contact for assigned domestic and import vendors, including key China‑based suppliers, and provides English/Mandarin communication support as needed.

• Lead complex cross‑functional sourcing projects with minimal supervision, including planning, stakeholder coordination, meeting facilitation, issue tracking, and execution follow‑up.
• Partner with internal teams to deliver sourcing projects on time and aligned with business priorities.
• Manage domestic and import supplier networks across Merchandising and OEM categories.
• Serve as the primary vendor contact, handling daily communication, performance follow‑up, and escalations.
• Drive resolution of supplier‑related issues, including quality, cost, lead times, product changes, backorders, packaging, testing, compliance, and operational escalations.
• Evaluate business needs independently and resolve complex challenges such as backorders, co‑op negotiations, pricing strategies, and vendor cost reviews.
• Partner strategically with Merchandising and cross‑functional teams to influence sourcing and product decisions across item selection, onboarding, capability reviews, and product lifecycle changes.
• Balance competing priorities and deliver solutions while leading strategic initiatives, including ERP implementations, distribution projects, vendor updates, bids, reporting, and process improvements.
• Act as a subject‑matter expert by supporting team members, sharing best practices, guiding complex supplier matters, and improving tools and processes.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years in project management or sourcing roles.
• Advanced Excel (pivot tables, lookups, data analysis).
• Experience with sourcing/procurement processes and supplier management.

Preferred:

• 4+ years of relevant experience.
• SAP experience.
• Familiarity with RFQ/RFP processes, pricing analysis and vendor onboarding.
• Experience with Power BI or Tableau.

• Strong communication and vendor relationship skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Negotiation experience across cost, quality and operational issues.
• Cross‑functional influence and problem‑solving ability.
• Experience working with global suppliers and multicultural teams.

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 $82,000 and $100,000, depending on relevant experience and skill set.

• 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.
• Flexible benefits—choose what you like, ignore the rest.
• On‑site preschool for employees’ children.
• On‑site employee gym for all levels and fitness needs.
• Casual dress code.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

People are selected to become members of the Lakeshore family based on skill, merit and 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.

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