At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage supplier relationships and forecast stock for beauty and health products.
- Company: Fast-growing UK brand in the beauty and health sector.
- Benefits: Part-time hours, competitive salary, and opportunity to shape the role.
- Other info: Office located in Wood Green, just 5 minutes from the tube.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make an impact in a thriving industry.
- Qualifications: Fluent Mandarin and 3 years of procurement experience required.
The predicted salary is between 18000 - 18000 £ per year.
We're a UK-based Brand and online retailer selling beauty and health products. The business has grown quickly over the past few years and we now need someone to take ownership of our supplier relationships in China and our stock forecasting/planning.
What the job involves:
It's a part-time, standalone role with no direct reports. You'll be the main contact between our Chinese suppliers and our UK and International operations. The work splits into two parts: managing the suppliers themselves, and forecasting demand so we hold the right amount of stock.
Mandarin is essential. You'll be talking to Chinese factories every day, mostly through WeChat, and we need someone who can deal with them directly rather than going through a translator.
Day-to-day responsibilities:
- Supplier work:
- Find, vet and onboard new suppliers across our product categories
- Negotiate on price, MOQs, payment terms and lead times
- Build long-term relationships with manufacturers and trading partners on Alibaba, 1688, Made-in-China and through direct contacts
- Run quality checks, factory verifications, sample reviews and product certifications (UKCA, CE, RoHS, cosmetics safety)
- Sort out problems when they come up: late shipments, quality issues, commercial disputes
- Forecasting and stock planning:
- Build SKU-level demand forecasts using sales history, seasonality and upcoming promotions
- Place purchase orders to keep stock at healthy levels without overbuying
- Monitor slow-moving and ageing stock, and act on it
- Work with sales, marketing and the warehouse team to keep supply and demand aligned
- Track forecast accuracy, sell-through, stock turn and on-time delivery
What we're looking for:
Essential:
- Fluent Mandarin, spoken and written
- At least 3 years in procurement or buying, including hands-on experience sourcing from China
- Practical experience in demand forecasting and inventory planning
- Strong negotiator with a commercial head
- Confident with Excel or Google Sheets (pivots, lookups, basic forecasting models)
- Well-organised and comfortable managing several categories at once
Useful but not essential:
- Background in home beauty/health or electronics.
- Familiarity with Shopify, Amazon or eBay, or with inventory tools like Linnworks, Cin7 or NetSuite
- Working knowledge of UK product compliance (UKCA, CE, cosmetics rules)
- CIPS qualification, or studying towards one
What we offer:
£18,000 per year. Part-time hours - 9am - 2pm (Mon - Fri). Office in Wood Green, 5 minutes from the tube (Piccadilly line). The chance to shape the function as the business grows.
Location: London, Wood Green (5 minutes from the tube)
Salary: £18,000 per year (part-time)
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 2pm (25 hours per week)
Languages: English and Mandarin, both fluent
How to apply:
Email your CV, your experience working with Chinese suppliers, and a forecasting or stock problem you've handled and how you handled it. We review applications as they come in.
Procurement Manager - Beauty/Health - Part-Time in Slough employer: Aarc Estates
Contact Detail:
Aarc Estates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Manager - Beauty/Health - Part-Time in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the beauty and health industry, especially those who have experience with suppliers in China. A personal recommendation can go a long way in landing that interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your Mandarin skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your fluency in Mandarin. It’s a key requirement for this role, so let them know you’re ready to communicate directly with suppliers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for scenario questions! Think about past experiences where you’ve managed supplier relationships or solved stock issues. Be ready to share specific examples that showcase your problem-solving skills and negotiation tactics.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications come directly from candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. Plus, it gives you a better chance to stand out in the crowd!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Manager - Beauty/Health - Part-Time in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Mandarin Skills: Since Mandarin is essential for this role, make sure to highlight your language skills right at the top of your CV. We want to see how fluent you are, so don’t hold back on showcasing your experience communicating with Chinese suppliers.
Tailor Your Experience: When you’re writing about your past roles, focus on your procurement and stock forecasting experience. We’re looking for someone who can manage supplier relationships and demand forecasting, so make sure to include relevant examples that demonstrate your expertise.
Problem-Solving Stories: In your application, share a specific example of a forecasting or stock issue you've tackled. We love hearing about how you’ve resolved challenges in the past, so tell us what the problem was, how you approached it, and what the outcome was.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications better and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us during the hiring process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Aarc Estates
✨Master Your Mandarin
Since fluent Mandarin is essential for this role, make sure to brush up on your language skills before the interview. Practise common phrases and industry-specific vocabulary that you might use when discussing supplier relationships or stock issues.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations you've successfully handled, especially those involving suppliers. Be ready to discuss your approach to negotiating prices, payment terms, and lead times, as this will demonstrate your commercial acumen.
✨Demonstrate Your Forecasting Expertise
Come equipped with a specific example of a forecasting or stock problem you've tackled in the past. Explain the steps you took to resolve it and how you used data to inform your decisions. This will highlight your practical experience in demand forecasting.
✨Know the Company and Its Products
Research the brand and its product offerings thoroughly. Understanding their market position and the types of beauty and health products they sell will allow you to tailor your responses and show genuine interest in the role.