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 Vice President, Global Quality to join our team. In this role, you will set and lead deployment of the vision and operating plans for Lakeshore’s Global Quality teams. The position requires achieving key business objectives by determining initiatives, investment and talent necessary for delivering on our Global Quality strategy. Applicants should have significant, proven experience leading quality teams on a global scale. The ideal candidate also possesses exceptional interpersonal communication skills with a talent for multicultural collaboration to effectively partner with global teams and people at all levels.

A day on the job looks like this: 

• Leads Global Quality teams to develop new and innovative methods, including addressing highly complex situations with leaders and cross-functional teams to ensure products meet all expectations 
• Expectations include: safety, regulatory needs, customer satisfaction, brand standards, compliance, inspection, reliability, and engineering specifications and tolerances 
• Leads teams to direct the development and implementation of a global, end-to-end quality management program, including building an in-house testing lab at our Asia offices 
• Leads the Qarma implementation in Asia, supporting all technology efforts for implementing PLM/QMS
• Leads teams to direct the development and implementation of a supplier-quality program from new-vendor qualification through production
• Leads teams to use key performance indicators to drive improvement, initiating the collection and reporting of core quality-critical metrics 
• Influences the diversification of vendors and raw materials to uphold Lakeshore’s industry standards 
• Monitors changes to regulatory requirements and incorporates relevant changes into internal policies and procedures, ensuring Global Quality leaders implement with clear and consistent documentation
• Assesses and reviews concerns regarding quality of both existing and developing products, offering guidance on the most effective course of action for resolution 
• Applies in-depth knowledge of how Global Quality integrates within Global Sourcing, Supply Chain and RD&D 
• Develops the Global Quality leadership teams to maximize personal, professional and organizational growth 

Qualifications

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

• Bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) or equivalent in Engineering, Science, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration or related field from four-year college; master’s degree a plus 
• 15 years of significant, proven experience leading quality teams on a global scale
• 10 years of experience in managing teams, including managing leaders 
• Experience ensuring product quality complies with regulatory requirements (CPSC and CPSIA) 
• Quality experience with Lakeshore’s core product categories including: furniture, plastics and soft-sewn print
• Experience with a range of testing equipment, testing methods and third-party labs 
• Expertise in both industry-standard and proprietary testing to ensure safety, reliability and performance 
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to see the big picture to identify solutions, make sound judgments and act effectively to achieve key business outcomes 
• Ability to lead others to manage multiple projects simultaneously with superior attention to detail 
• Required: Valid driver’s license and the ability to obtain a U.S. passport for international travel 

Additional Information

And here’s our end of the bargain! 

• Salary: $250,000-300,000 with an annual bonus of up to 20%
• 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.