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 a chance 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.
About us
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
- 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
- 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
Reports to: [Head of Operations / Founder]
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 - Mandarin Speaking in London employer: Select Gb Ltd
Contact Detail:
Select Gb Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Manager - Beauty/Health - Mandarin Speaking in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get your networking game on! Reach out to people in the beauty and health industry, especially those who have experience with Chinese suppliers. Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect and engage with them; you never know who might have a lead or insight that could help you land that Procurement Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your Mandarin skills! Since you'll be communicating directly with suppliers, being fluent is a must. Practice common phrases related to procurement and stock management so you can impress during any informal chats or interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills! Prepare examples of how you've tackled issues like late shipments or quality disputes in the past. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and ability to manage supplier relationships effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in our company. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in procurement and stock forecasting, and let us know why you're excited about this part-time opportunity.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Manager - Beauty/Health - Mandarin Speaking in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Mandarin Skills: Since Mandarin is essential for this role, make sure to highlight your language skills in your CV and cover letter. We want to see how you’ve used your Mandarin in a professional setting, especially when dealing with suppliers.
Be Specific About Your Experience: When detailing your experience, focus on specific examples of procurement or buying roles you've held. We love numbers, so if you can quantify your achievements, like cost savings or improved stock levels, that’s a bonus!
Tackle the Forecasting Challenge: We’re keen to know how you’ve handled forecasting or stock issues in the past. Share a specific problem you faced and how you resolved it. This shows us your problem-solving skills and your ability to think on your feet.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter.
How to prepare for a job interview at Select Gb Ltd
✨Know Your Suppliers
Before the interview, do your homework on potential suppliers in China. Familiarise yourself with platforms like Alibaba and 1688, and be ready to discuss how you would vet and onboard new suppliers. This shows that you're proactive and understand the market.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations you've handled, especially regarding price, MOQs, and payment terms. Be ready to role-play a negotiation scenario during the interview to demonstrate your confidence and commercial acumen.
✨Forecasting Know-How
Brush up on your demand forecasting techniques. Be prepared to discuss specific methods you've used in the past, such as analysing sales history or seasonality. You might even want to bring a simple forecasting model to illustrate your approach.
✨Fluency in Mandarin is Key
Since you'll be communicating with Chinese suppliers daily, practice your Mandarin speaking skills. Be ready to answer questions in Mandarin if asked, and consider discussing any challenges you've faced while communicating in the language to show your problem-solving abilities.