Vendor Manager (Hybrid)

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, 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. Job Description We are currently seeking a Vendor Manager 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. Responsibilities include vendor coordination, cost negotiations, quality issue resolution, product change support, pricing initiatives, backorder recovery, vendor onboarding and other strategic sourcing projects. The Vendor Manager also acts as a subject matter expert within the team by guiding Vendor Management level colleagues, supporting process improvements, facilitating cross-functional meetings and providing clear recommendations to leadership and business partners. The role requires strong project ownership, vendor management experience, communication skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced global sourcing environment. A day on the job looks like this: Leading complex cross-functional sourcing projects with minimal supervision, including planning, stakeholder coordination, meeting facilitation, issue tracking, and execution follow-up Partnering with internal teams to deliver sourcing projects on time and aligned with business priorities Managing domestic and import supplier networks across Merchandising, and OEM categories. Serving as the primary vendor contact, handling daily communication, performance follow-up, and escalations Driving resolution of supplier-related issues, including quality, cost, lead times, product changes, backorders, packaging, testing, compliance, and operational escalations Evaluating business needs independently and resolving complex challenges such as backorders, co-op negotiations, pricing strategies, and vendor cost reviews Partnering strategically with Merchandising and cross-functional teams to influence sourcing and product decisions across item selection, onboarding, capability reviews, and product lifecycle changes Balancing competing priorities and delivering solutions while leading strategic initiatives, including ERP implementations, distribution projects, vendor updates, bids, reporting, and process improvements Acting as a subject matter expert by supporting team members, sharing best practices, guiding complex supplier matters, and improving tools and processes Qualifications Got the skills and experience? Here’s what we’re looking for: 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 What Sets You Apart 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 Additional Information 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 $82,000-$100,000 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 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