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 are seeking a Senior Manager of Sourcing, Furniture
to help manage sourcing responsibilities within Vietnam while working as part of a global team. In this role, you will lead efforts to enhance our current Vietnamese supply chain, while also building a strategy to qualify new vendors. The position requires directing all strategic sourcing initiatives in Vietnam, including onboarding new vendors, implementing strategic risk mitigation, analyzing quotes and negotiating prices. The successful candidate has more than eight years of sourcing experience in Vietnam, (HCM, Central and Hanoi/Haiphong), with experience in wood furniture, upholstery, outdoor furniture, plywood, decorative accessories, lighting and other furniture products similar to Lakeshore’s current catalog. This position is located in Ho Chi Minh, and travel is expected up to 30% of the time.
A day in the office looks like this:
Extensive daily communication with global teams in U.S.A., Hong Kong, and China
Effectively connect with strategic suppliers and partners to create value- driven relationships and promote new product sourcing as well as dual- sourcing initiatives
Plan and implement an overall supply chain strategy that supports Lakeshore’s growth goals at the lowest possible cost
Collaborate with the Global Sourcing leadership team to onboard new vendors, as well as assess current vendor capabilities to mitigate future interruptions and price increases
Monitor the performance of suppliers, assessing their ability to meet quality and delivery requirements
Develop and implement end- to- end strategies for vendor diversification and deliver sustainable value from strategic sourcing initiatives
Lead vendor management strategies to ensure strong working relationships with all suppliers/partners
Manage and execute complicated projects, independently provide updates to leadership, and manage tasks and outcomes
Work with global cross- functional product teams to provide the most favorable pricing, quality, delivery and relationship management (vendor) to meet company goals and objectives
Qualifications
Got the skills and experience? Here’s what we’re looking for:
Excellent understanding of the supply chain process as it relates to B2B and retail environments
Intermediate to advanced level of proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
8+ years of experience in global furniture sourcing, specifically in southern Vietnam and surrounding provinces
12 years of experience in the field
Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills with a proven ability to create and maintain positive working relationships with new and existing vendors and partners
6+ years of experience in a similar position
6+ years of experience managing people/projects
Awareness of and planning for proactive mitigation around strategic and global procurement challenges
Skilled at growing and curating vendor partnerships and relationships to promote best outcomes
Advanced leadership experience, ideally as part of regional U.S.- or European- headquartered companies and with product or industry experience similar to Lakeshore Learning Materials
Awareness of strategic and global procurement issues and vendor negotiations
Aptitude in contract formation and negotiation techniques tailored to China’s supply chain
Great organizational skills including ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
Superb written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate with team members from all levels/areas of the organization
Additional Information
And here’s our end of the bargain!
Generous employee discount on products that make you smarter
Competitive compensation based on skills and experience
Casual dress…and we really mean it
Paid leave for new parents to support work/life balance and family bonding
To learn more about Lakeshore, visit www.lakeshorelearning.com/careers
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.
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.
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