ABOUT US

Kronospan is a world leading organisation in the wood panel and decorative surfaces industry focused on providing high-quality products and services to our customers across various industries. We are seeking a Graduate Chinese-Speaking Buyer to join our dynamic procurement team. This role is perfect for someone looking to kick-start their career in procurement, and fluency in Mandarin or Cantonese. The successful candidate will be instrumental in sourcing products and managing supplier relationships in China and other Chinese-speaking regions.

REQUIREMENTS

• Language Skills: Fluency in Mandarin or Cantonese (both spoken and written) is a must. Proficiency in English is also required for effective communication with internal teams.
• Cultural Awareness: Strong understanding of Chinese business culture and the ability to communicate effectively with Chinese suppliers and partners.
• Strong problem-solving skills to address any procurement challenges that may arise, such as delivery delays, quality issues, or cost overruns.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• A bachelors degree in business, supply chain management, international trade, or a related field is preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) is a must.

The Graduate Chinese-Speaking Buyer will be responsible for identifying opportunities for purchasing goods and services from suppliers in China, providing business cases to the purchasing management team and maintaining strong relationships for the UK operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supplier Sourcing: Identify and source reliable suppliers from China and Chinese-speaking regions. Support in negotiating terms and conditions to secure competitive pricing and delivery schedules.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Establish and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers. Conduct regular supplier evaluations to ensure performance standards are met.
• Negotiation & Contract Management: Support negotiation of pricing, terms, and contracts with Chinese suppliers, ensuring favorable terms for the company. Review any procurement contracts, highlighting any issues to the management team.
• Purchase Order Management: Create and manage purchase orders, track orders from initiation to delivery, and resolve any issues related to delays, damages, or quality concerns.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with internal teams such as Engineering and finance to ensure smooth procurement processes and alignment with overall business objectives.
• Quality Control & Compliance: Ensure all purchased products are to the agreed company specifications and quality standards.
• Import/Export Coordination: Work closely with imports and exports to coordinate customs clearance, and delivery schedules. Ensure compliance with international trade regulations.
• Reporting & Analysis: Prepare procurement reports and analyse purchasing trends, supplier performance, and cost-saving opportunities. Provide recommendations to purchasing management based on findings.