Chinese Purchasing Assistant

This posting is current as of 9 May 2011.

The company

Pololu is a small, growing company of intelligent and dedicated people that designs, manufactures, and sells robotics and electronics products.

The position

We need a friendly, professional associate who is fluent in both English and Mandarin Chinese to assist with purchasing components from vendors in China, the U.S., and other countries. The position can be full- or part-time with flexible hours, requiring some evenings to be free for correspondence with Chinese vendors (5:00PM – 8:00PM). Purchasing involves corresponding with vendors via phone, email, and instant messaging to communicate what we are looking for, negotiate pricing and purchasing terms, coordinate shipping and payments, and follow up on orders. You will also work closely with our engineers to learn about the components we purchase, discuss deadlines for acquiring products, and confirm that the received goods meet our standards. Additional tasks include maintaining appropriate stock levels of our various products, receiving the goods, working with engineers and the production manager to ensure proper packaging and labeling of goods for resale, seeking new vendors and new products that we can sell, generally improving our purchasing process, and working with our engineers to improve our custom software for purchasing and inventory. Most of our vendors are either in China or the U.S., so fluency in both Mandarin Chinese and English (written and spoken) is required.

Additional details

• Starting at $12 per hour
• Pay negotiable depending on qualification level
• Benefits available
• Opportunities for increased responsibility and pay with good performance and company growth

Requirements

• Fluency in both English and Mandarin Chinese
• Good communication skills – both oral and written – using professional and friendly language in Mandarin Chinese
• Attention to detail
• Good computer skills: able to use Windows-based software, Microsoft Excel, email, instant messaging, Skype, the Internet, all in Chinese or English, and able to learn new Windows programs without guidance
• Can type at least 30 Chinese characters per minute and 40 words per minute in English
• Goal-oriented
• Has a sense of urgency to complete deals and meet deadlines
• Takes initiative and is self-motivated with high standards
• Able to work independently without the need for constant supervision; resourceful
• Works well in a team, accepts criticism, and can follow directions
• Desire to improve processes
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, manage many projects, and meet deadlines
• Good mechanical sense (know how long 1 mm, 2.5 inches, and 2.5 feet are)
• Comfortable and competent with basic math (including mental math), such as:
  • percentages
  • addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
  • measurement conversions
  • currency conversions

Other desired (but not required) skills and experience

• Purchasing experience
• Understanding of Chinese culture
• Knowledge of robotics and electronics
• Familiarity with mechanical parts and concepts

How to apply

To apply for this position at Pololu, please fill out our application form and send us a cover letter and resume to jobs@pololu.com. Applicants will also be required to fill out an Employer Lynx background investigation release form (70k pdf) before being hired. For additional questions about any positions, please contact Linnea Goldstein at 702-262-6648 or jobs@pololu.com.

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