Vendor Manager (Hybrid)

Lakeshore Learning Materials, LLC; Carson (CA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligible

Paid parental leave

Excellent medical/dental/vision coverage

401(k) with company contribution

Flexible benefits

On-site preschool

On-site gym

Employee discount

Casual dress

Job summary

Lakeshore Learning Materials, LLC is looking for a Vendor Manager to join their Global Sourcing team in Carson, California. This role entails leading complex sourcing projects, managing vendor relationships, and supporting product changes. The ideal candidate will have project management experience, proficiency in Mandarin, and strong communication skills. Benefits include medical coverage, a 401(k) retirement plan, and on-site amenities.

Joining the team offers the chance to influence key initiatives and work in a fast-paced environment with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years in project management or sourcing roles.
• Experience with sourcing/procurement processes and supplier management.
• Familiarity with RFQ/RFP processes and pricing analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex cross-functional sourcing projects with minimal supervision.
• Coordinate with internal teams to deliver sourcing projects on time.
• Manage domestic and import supplier networks across various categories.

Skills

Project management

Vendor management

Communication skills

Mandarin proficiency

Advanced Excel

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

SAP

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

Job Description

We are currently seeking a Vendor 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, R&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. 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

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

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

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.

Benefits include:

• 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
• 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

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.

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