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 currently seeking a Quality Assurance Manager, Plastics, to join our team. In this role, you will mentor and develop our Quality Engineer team and also help align our new material and product standards, specifications, and testing protocols to guarantee the best products for our consumers. The position also requires coaching and training our Research, Design and Development (RD&D) team on appropriate testing standards to enable alignment of product design and product performance requirements. Applicants should have expertise in ASTM and other testing standards and be able to readily identify appropriate test standards for each application—and are comfortable communicating across all levels of the organization. The ideal candidate also possesses an in-depth understanding of the manufacturing and raw material processing and handling in global manufacturing environments.

A day on the job looks like this:

Coach and develop the Quality Engineer team with a focus on toys, plastics, print, soft goods and wood productsReview product expectations and identify appropriate safety, reliability and durability testing as part of a complete product test planPresent product test plans and test results to RD&D and Supply Chain leadership to facilitate informed product decisionsAnalyze test results to summarize product performance against testing requirementsIdentify industry standards for raw-material and finished-product testingCollaborate with In-House Lab Managers to identify required testing capabilitiesParticipate in failure analysis and facilitate baseline testing for product improvement projectsLead and/or support root-cause analysis in support of root-cause and corrective-action activitiesCollaborate with Product Integrity and Compliance teams

Qualifications

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

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science or quality management5+ years of product engineering experience5+ years of implementing quality engineering processes3+ years of managing teamsProven work experience in quality, engineering, and testing standardsExperience working with third-party testing labsExcellent communications skills with the ability to communicate complex testing requirements and results to a broad and diverse audienceExtensive regulatory knowledge within the toy industryDeep experience managing and coaching teamsExceptional experience working and communicating with global teamsExperience in MS Office, with an emphasis on an ability to build and present reortsExperience in communication through remote mediums, such as video conferences, emails and text communicationMust be comfortable with systems and data analysisExceptional leadership, conceptual, analytical and problem-solving skills

Additional Information

And here’s our end of the bargain! 

Salary: $118,000-$165,000 and bonus eligiblePaid leave for new parents to support work/life balance and family bondingExcellent medical/dental and vision coverage—EPO, PPO and HSA401(k) retirement plan with company contribution (because you will retire someday)Flexible benefits—choose what you like, ignore the restOn-site preschool for our employees’ childrenOn-site employee gym for all levels/fitness needsGenerous employee discountCasual 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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