Associate Product Developer (On-site)

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 Product Enhancement Associate Developer to join our team. In this role, you will collaborate with various Lakeshore departments to manage the product enhancement cycle and vendor diversification efforts to meet the highest standards of quality and safety. The position requires strong communication skills, a solution-oriented mindset and keen attention to detail. Applicants should have knowledge of product creation and the manufacturing process related to consumer goods. The ideal candidate also has a solid understanding of cross-functional teamwork and demonstrates proficiency in data analysis and customer perspective to drive decisions.

A day on the job looks like this:

• Improving existing products to better serve our customers, and ensuring that target price and product expectations are met
• Validating the function and quality of existing products transferred to new vendors and factories
• Collaborating with cross-functional partners to guide products through the enhancement cycle with a focus on quality, safety and attention to detail
• Partnering with Planning and Supply Chain teams to monitor timelines and inventory requirements
• Communicating effectively to keep all levels of the organization informed of project progress, concerns or risks
• Building professional skill sets associated with Lakeshore’s product development and enhancement standards

Qualifications

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

• Bachelor’s degree
• 1 year of product development experience as a minimum, with classroom experience a plus
• Some experience in product design, engineering or manufacturing of consumer goods preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to analyze and summarize key information to make recommendations to stakeholders, including executive leaders
• Strong attention to detail and critical thinking skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively to achieve individual and team goals
• Ownership of work and persistence in the face of challenges
• Knowledge of product creation and the manufacturing process related to consumer goods
• Ability to tackle complex problems and develop actionable solutions
• Strong MS Office skills, especially Excel
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time independently in a fast-paced environment with overlapping deadlines
• Strong organizational skills, a team-oriented mindset and a focus on outcomes

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 $61,500-$83,000 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.

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