Costing Lead (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, 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

We are seeking a dynamic and motivated individual to join our team as a Costing Lead. In this role, you will take on the revamping of our quoting processes and partner with the Global Sourcing team to manage competitive bids and analysis, complete landed costs, build negotiation strategies and prepare tool kits for cost negotiations on new product development and business transfers. This role will stand up transparent costing processes and should-be costing tools and databases. The position also requires spearheading annual cost review analysis and negotiation preparation for the Global Sourcing team based on market trends, should-be costing and other negotiation levers. Applicants should have the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to lead process enhancement projects and new tool implementation. The ideal candidate also possesses a strong ability to drive change management and support leadership in guiding the Global Sourcing department. 

A day on the job looks like this: 

• Partner with the Global Sourcing team to run competitive bids, perform quote analysis, complete landed cost reviews and build negotiation strategies 
• Build transparent costing tools that support a cost database 
• Perform should-be costing to aid in new product development and negotiation 
• Conduct annual price negotiations with vendors, structuring negotiation plans based on market movements; collaborate with merchandising on market pricing challenges 
• Own and revamp quoting and competitive bidding process initiatives with minimal consultation from Senior leaders 
• Complete landed cost, cost analysis and negotiation preparation 
• Build annual cost review process with strategic negotiation structured in market assessment and should-be costing 
• Lead the development and implementation of the new quoting and negotiation process 
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration and execution 
• Drive change management initiatives to support process improvements 
• Learn and utilize systems such as ERP and PLM 
• Manage long-term projects, proactively providing visibility to stakeholders 
• Occasional travel may be required for building a cost database and should-be costing 

Qualifications

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

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field 
• 6+ years minimum of experience the field 
• 3+ years minimum of experience in a similar position 
• Proficiency in plastics, print, sewn, wood and furniture categories, or any combination thereof 
• Strong understanding of commodities and market indices 
• Demonstrated ability to conduct thorough analysis and derive actionable insights 
• Proven negotiation skills with a track record of successful outcomes 
• Experience in managing change and influencing stakeholders without formal authority 
• Proficiency with MS Excel and PowerPoint is required; proficiency with Power BI preferred 
• Demonstrated good judgment in routine, day-to-day independent decision-making 
• Ability to clearly share complex information and ideas verbally and in writing, providing the right amount of detail to meet audience needs 
• Proactively seek out the diverse perspectives and talents of others to influence own work 
• Consistently delivers results independently 
• Ability to take advantage of stretch opportunities to learn and contribute more broadly to the team 

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 between $70,500-$85,000 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 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. 

To learn about how we collect and use Applicant information, please visit our Employee/Applicant Privacy Policy. INDRLL1