Director of Indirect Procurement (Flexible)

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.

In a time of unprecedented expansion, we are seeking a Director of Indirect Procurement to join our team. In this role, you will manage a team of Category Managers and support staff, coaching them to succeed via implementing best practices for Indirect Procurement. The position also requires working in partnership with the Director of Indirect Procurement Operations and the Manager of Contracts and Indirect Procurement to ensure department activities align with industry best practices and company initiatives. Applicants must have a strong Indirect Procurement background across many categories and a proven ability to drive cost savings therein. The ideal applicant also has experience in sourcing, RFP, RFQ and bidding best practices. 

A day in the office looks like this: 

• Develops and measures Key Performance Indicators to ensure continued progress toward achieving annual goals 
• Drives continuous improvement of CPR and company-wide Indirect Strategic Sourcing and Procurement processes and tools 
• Develops and leads a sourcing and contract award process (including the use of e-auction tools, RFI, RFQ and RFP processes)  
• Develops key guidelines for all departments around RFQs/RFPs/Awards of Business 
• Manages the fundamentals of sourcing and supplier engagement activities, including RFQs, spend-pattern analysis, contract analysis, bid evaluation, negotiations and supplier consolidation 
• Embraces fact-based decision-making; leverages and/or integrates market or benchmark data, spend analytics and cost modeling 
• Develops performance-based scorecards and monitors, documents and evaluates supplier performance 
• Creates training assets, methods and opportunities for team members to build experience, competency and mastery of skills needed in the CPR department 
• Supports team members to take on increasingly more complex projects and expand abilities in pursuit of personal and professional goals 

Got the skills and experience? Here's what we're looking for:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain or Business Administration 
• 4 years of experience working in an Indirect Procurement position  
• 4 years of experience managing people/projects 
• Proven ability to drive cost savings across many Indirect Procurement categories  
• Experienced in procure-to-pay across all categories touched by the Indirect Procurement team 
• Must have experience leading and influencing people 
• Must be able to effectively communicate across all levels of the organization 
• Experienced in identifying ways to streamline and improve efficiency of work, including the selection of the proper tools 
• In-depth contracting experience across multiple categories (IT, Distribution Centers, Marketing, Consumables and Services) 
• Experience with drafting contract language, redlining and negotiations 
• Able to participate in work across multiple categories as a means of teaching the team best practices in procurement  
• Must have the ability to analyze data to drive effective decision-making  
• Works at a strategic level with department heads on a long-term vision of company objectives and how CPR can generate progress 
• SAP experience is a MUST 

And here's our end of the bargain! 

• Salary: $155,000-$185,000 with an annual bonus of up to 15%
• 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 on products that make you smarter
• 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 www.lakeshorelearning.com/careers 
 
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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