Associate Product Merchandiser

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.

We are looking for an Associate Product Merchandiser to join our Merchandising team. In this role, you’ll help shape assortment strategies for specific product categories within Play and Learn departments, working under manager guidance. You’ll partner with cross-functional teams to identify new product opportunities, analyze reporting and industry trends, and turn insights into actionable ideas that drive business across your categories. You’ll also build strong vendor relationships, onboard new partners and escalate complex issues to managers when needed. Additionally, you’ll shop for, source and develop best-in-class brands and products that offer exceptional value. Applicants should have experience in buying, merchandising or product development. Experience as an associate buyer is a plus.

A day on the job looks like this:

• Planning and curating product assortment for multiple product categories
• Sourcing, reviewing and proposing high-quality educational products
• Analyzing sales reports, identifying white space and creating action plans for your categories
• Communicating and collaborating with vendors and cross-functional teams
• Recommending product placement and creating new catalog pages
• Executing product life cycle tasks with support manager
• Exhibiting a professional communication style (both written and verbal) as shown through excellent presentation skills, superb organizational abilities and a strong sense of urgency
• Prioritizing tasks to balance the immediate and long-term needs of the business

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

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, merchandising or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
• 0–1 year of experience in buying, merchandising or product development
• 2 years of experience as an associate buyer, preferred

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 an hourly rate between $22.35-$27.56 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