RD&D Process and Operations Lead

🇺🇸Hybrid - Carson, CA$85K–$130K/yri1h ago

K-12 Operations Process Improvement Project Management Operations Management Program Management Business Intelligence

Role Snapshot

Lakeshore Learning Materials is hiring an RD&D Process and Operations Lead to build the operational backbone for product development, including streamlined processes, data structures, technology, and training. The role helps bring better educational products to teachers, kids, and families.

Key Responsibilities: Lead implementation of new inspection technology, build a product development operations center of excellence, and manage cross-functional projects from start to finish. Also establish KPIs and dashboards, identify risks, and lead training, change management, and cross-functional meetings.

Skills & Tools: Process optimization, project and program management, data management and analytics, business intelligence and dashboarding, technology implementation, and change management. Strong communication, stakeholder facilitation, and conflict resolution skills are essential.

Qualifications: The posting does not specify exact requirements, but the role implies a bachelor's degree and several years of experience in operations, process improvement, or project management, ideally in product development or a related field. Hands-on experience with technology implementation and data reporting is expected.

Location: Hybrid - Carson, CA

Compensation: $85K–$130K/yr (estimated)

Prep for this role with AI tools →

Job Description

Research, Design & Development moves fast — and keeping complex, cross-functional work organized, efficient, and on track takes someone who knows how to turn operational chaos into clear process. As our RD&D Process and Operations Lead, you'll build the operational backbone that helps our product development teams do their best work: streamlined processes, smart data structures, and the technology and training that keep everyone aligned. It's hands-on, high-impact work that ultimately helps get better educational products into the hands of teachers, kids, and families. This role is hybrid, based in Carson, CA.

A day on the job looks like this:

Technology Implementation & Business Transformation: Lead the scoping, onboarding, and scaled implementation of new inspection technology in coordination with the Director, including requirements gathering, implementation planning, internal and vendor onboarding, systems integration, phased deployment, and post-launch adoption and efficiency tracking.
Product Development Operations: Develop and implement the product development operations center of excellence, including the process optimization roadmap, current- and future-state process maps, role clarity, communication accountability, and change management plans.
Program / Project Management: Oversee multiple cross-functional operational projects from conception through completion, establishing project plans, timelines, accountabilities, and performance measures; analyze results and drive continuous improvement.
Data Analytics & Business Intelligence: Establish data management structures, KPIs, dashboards, and status reporting that support product development decision-making; identify project risks and present mitigation plans to the Senior Director and other stakeholders.
Change Management & Organizational Enablement: Create and lead training and ongoing communication for internal teams and external vendor partners; facilitate cross-functional meetings that resolve conflicts, enable timely decisions, and clarify expectations.