RD&D Process and Operations Lead; 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.

Research, Design & Development moves fast — and keeping complex, cross-functional work organized, efficient, and on track takes someone who knows how to turn operational chaos into clear process. As our RD&D Process and Operations Lead, you'll build the operational backbone that helps our product development teams do their best work: streamlined processes, smart data structures, and the technology and training that keep everyone aligned.

It's hands-on, high-impact work that ultimately helps get better educational products into the hands of teachers, kids, and families. This role is hybrid, based in Carson, CA.

• Own and drive multiple cross-functional operational projects simultaneously — building project plans, tracking accountabilities and timelines, and leading continuous improvement based on results.
• Develop and implement the product development operations center of excellence, including the process optimization roadmap, documented process flows, role clarity, communication accountability, and change management plans.
• Lead the scoping, onboarding, and scaled implementation of inspection technology across cross-functional teams, partnering closely with the Director to ensure adoption and efficiency gains.
• Build and maintain the data structures, KPIs, and reports that give product development stakeholders the visibility they need to make confident decisions and stay ahead of risk.
• Design and deliver training and communications for internal teams and external vendor partners; facilitate working sessions that surface and resolve conflict, clarify expectations, and keep work moving.

Required:

• This is a hybrid position based in Carson, CA. Candidates must be able to work onsite as required.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• 5-8+ years of experience in operations and/or program management within product development organizations that specialize in the consumer product industry.
• Experience supporting new product launches and product development initiatives.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, including data analysis, reporting, and presentation development.
• Experience with SAP integrations and implementing other technologies.
• Familiarity with Workfront.
• Proven ability to support and navigate organizational change.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret systems and data to drive insights and informed decision‑making.

Preferred:

• Experience with Workfront or similar project management platforms.
• Experience with inspection software implementation.
• Experience implementing a variety of software;
  Workfront experience;
  Kaizen knowledge.

• You make complexity legible — you can walk into a tangled cross-functional process and quickly see where the friction is, then build something that fixes it.
• You influence without authority. You earn trust across levels and functions by…