Senior Project Manager, Global Sourcing; Hybrid

Overview

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. Today we’re working better, smarter and faster—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.

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.

• Serve as primary point of contact for assigned domestic and import vendors, including key China-based suppliers, and provide English/Mandarin communication support as needed. Responsibilities include vendor coordination, cost negotiations, quality issue resolution, product change support, pricing initiatives, backorder recovery, vendor onboarding and other strategic sourcing projects.
• 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
• Mandarin proficiency
• 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…