RD&D Process and Operations Lead

🇺🇸Hybrid - Carson, CA$95K–$135K/yri6h ago

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

Role Snapshot

Lead the operational backbone for Lakeshore Learning Materials' Research, Design & Development team, building streamlined processes, data structures, and technology to help deliver better educational products to teachers, kids, and families.

Key Responsibilities: Lead inspection technology implementation, build a product development operations center of excellence, manage cross-functional projects, establish KPIs and dashboards, and deliver training and change management for internal teams and vendors.

Skills & Tools: Strong process improvement, project and program management, data analytics and BI (KPIs, dashboards), systems integration, change management, and facilitation skills to resolve conflicts and drive cross-functional decisions.

Qualifications: Experience in operations, process improvement, or project management in product development or similar cross-functional environments; specific degree and years of experience requirements were not stated in the posting.

Location: Hybrid - Carson, CA

Compensation: $95K–$135K/yr (estimated)

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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.