Location: Guangzhou, China (preferred)

Employment: Full-time

Company: Question Beauty

Reports to: Founder

Remuneration: RMB 12,000–17,000 per month

About Us

Question Beauty is a fast-growing, internationally recognised cosmetics brand originally founded in New Zealand. Known for our innovative, colour-driven products, we serve a global customer base and are constantly developing new products, exploring new manufacturing technologies, and expanding our supplier network.

We're also building new businesses across other consumer product categories, creating an exciting opportunity to work on a diverse range of sourcing and product development projects.

We're looking for a proactive, commercially minded Sourcing & Product Development Specialist based in China to work closely with our founder on bringing new products and ideas to life.

About the Role

This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys finding solutions, discovering manufacturers, negotiating great deals, and making things happen.

You'll work directly with our founder on a wide variety of new product development (NPD) and sourcing projects, turning initial ideas and requirements into actionable supplier recommendations and ultimately production-ready products.

One day you might be researching manufacturers of custom cosmetic packaging, the next evaluating a new product formulation, sourcing materials for a craft kit, or coordinating samples with an international supplier.

We don't expect you to know every product category. We expect you to know how to find the right suppliers, ask the right questions, and get results.

You'll be trusted to independently manage the sourcing process, from initial research and supplier outreach through to negotiation, sampling and production handover.

Key Responsibilities

1. Supplier Discovery & Sourcing

• Identify and research suitable manufacturers internationally and in China based on product briefs from the founder.
• Proactively source and contact multiple potential suppliers for each project to ensure competitive pricing and strong manufacturing capabilities.
• Use platforms such as 1688, Alibaba, industry networks, trade shows, and direct factory outreach to identify suitable partners.
• Evaluate suppliers based on pricing, MOQs, quality, customisation capabilities, lead times, production capacity, and reliability.
• Distinguish genuine manufacturers from trading companies and intermediaries, prioritising direct factory relationships where appropriate.
• Build and maintain an organised database of manufacturers, quotations, contacts, and supplier capabilities.

2. Pricing, Negotiation & Supplier Evaluation

• Obtain and compare quotations from multiple suppliers, ensuring commercial terms are clearly understood.
• Negotiate competitive pricing, MOQs, payment terms, sampling costs, and production timelines.
• Investigate customisation possibilities, including materials, colours, finishes, packaging, and manufacturing techniques.
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs or improve product specifications without compromising quality.
• Prepare clear supplier comparison reports with recommendations, trade-offs, and next steps for the founder.

3. New Product Development & Sampling

• Translate product ideas and briefs into clear technical and commercial requirements for suppliers.
• Coordinate sampling, prototypes, customisation requests, and product revisions.
• Communicate detailed feedback between the founder and manufacturers.
• Research alternative materials, manufacturing methods, and innovative product solutions.
• Keep NPD projects progressing by proactively following up with suppliers and resolving issues.
• Ensure approved specifications, pricing, and sample details are accurately documented.

4. Supplier Relationship Management & Production Handover

• Develop strong, long-term relationships with reliable manufacturing partners.
• Act as the primary point of contact during supplier discovery, development, and pre-production.
• Once products and commercial terms have been approved, coordinate a structured handover to the operations and logistics team for purchase order placement and fulfilment.
• Support the operations team with supplier communication or production issues when required.
• Maintain visibility over active projects and communicate risks, delays, or changes promptly.

5. Research & Special Projects

• Research new product categories, materials, technologies, and manufacturing opportunities.
• Attend trade shows, visit factories, and conduct supplier meetings when required.
• Support sourcing and product development across Question Beauty and our other emerging consumer brands.
• Proactively suggest alternative suppliers, better manufacturing approaches, and commercial opportunities.

What We're Looking For

Essential

• Based in Guangzhou or willing to relocate (other major manufacturing hubs in China may be considered).
• Fluent Mandarin Chinese and strong professional English, both written and spoken.
• Previous experience in sourcing, manufacturing sales, supplier account management, product development, or a related commercial role.
• Strong negotiation skills and an understanding of Chinese manufacturing practices.
• Confident communicating directly with factories, obtaining quotations, and discussing technical specifications.
• Excellent research, analytical, and organisational skills.
• Able to manage several projects simultaneously without losing track of details.
• Comfortable working directly with a founder in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Highly proactive, resourceful, and capable of working independently with limited supervision.

Highly Desirable

• Previous B2B sales or account management experience working directly for a Chinese manufacturer.
• Experience supporting overseas clients with OEM/ODM manufacturing or product customisation.
• Experience sourcing cosmetic packaging, beauty products, consumer goods, or related components.
• Existing supplier relationships or strong knowledge of Chinese manufacturing networks.
• Experience coordinating samples and managing product development projects from concept to production.
• Familiarity with international manufacturing requirements and cross-border commercial relationships.

What Success Looks Like

You'll be successful in this role if you can take a brief such as:

"We need a new manufacturer for customised mascara tubes. Find out what options are available, what customisation we can achieve, and what competitive pricing looks like."

And independently

1. Research and contact 15–20 relevant manufacturers.
2. Establish which suppliers can meet our specifications and quality requirements.
3. Collect and compare pricing, MOQs, lead times, and customisation capabilities.
4. Negotiate terms and identify opportunities for improvement.
5. Present the founder with a clear, concise shortlist of the strongest suppliers and your recommendation.
6. Coordinate samples, revisions, and final commercial specifications following the founder's feedback.
7. Hand over the approved supplier and production details to our operations team.

Our goal is to give you ownership of the process, not to provide step-by-step instructions.

Why Join Us?

• Work directly with the founder of a fast-growing international consumer brand.
• Play an important role in creating and launching innovative new products.
• Gain exposure to a wide range of manufacturers, industries, and product categories.
• Enjoy meaningful autonomy and responsibility rather than a narrow, repetitive purchasing role.
• Be part of an ambitious international team with exciting expansion plans.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV in English, along with a short introduction explaining your relevant experience.

We'd also love to hear about one sourcing, manufacturing sales, or product development project you've personally managed, including how you approached it, the suppliers you worked with, and the outcome.