China Sourcing Consultant

Your insider
bridge to
Chinese supply chains

For growing businesses that source from China but don't have a team on the ground — I'm your person in China. 10+ years running China procurement for a German brand, I know exactly what it costs when no one is watching closely enough.

10+
10+Years Experience
🌍EU · US · AU Markets
B2BPrimary Expertise
CNBased in China
Philosophy

"You don't need a China office. You need one person there who actually knows what they're doing — and cares about your outcome as much as you do."

The hard-won skills behind every engagement

I've spent over a decade as a Merchandiser Manager running the purchasing office for a German company in China. I know how European brands think, what they expect, and how to translate those standards into results with Chinese suppliers.

My background is unusual for a sourcing consultant: I started on the factory side, as a Sales Manager — which means I know exactly how factories think, what they say to buyers, and what they quietly don't. When I sit on the buying side, I know which questions to ask, which answers to push back on, and where the real problems tend to hide.

Whether you're placing your first order from China or optimising an existing supply chain, I work the same way: honestly, carefully, and always on your side.

Work matters. So does life. I help my clients with both — and try to remember that myself.

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Supply Chain Management
End-to-end purchasing: supplier identification, negotiation, QC oversight, logistics coordination
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European Market Knowledge
Deep familiarity with German, EU and US buyer expectations, quality standards and compliance culture
🤝
Trusted Supplier Network
10+ years of vetted supplier relationships across consumer goods categories
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Cross-Cultural Communication
Native Chinese, professional English — bridging language and business culture seamlessly
✈️
China Advisory Services
Practical guidance for foreign professionals and travellers navigating life and business in China

The person behind the professional

"Hard skills get you in the room. But empathy, honesty, and genuine care are what make a partnership last. These are the qualities my clients come back for — and what I bring to every single engagement."

🤝
Relationships Are Everything
"A wide road comes from knowing people well."

I genuinely love building relationships — not contacts, real relationships. Many of my clients become long-term friends. I believe that when someone truly has your back, the results speak for themselves. I don't take that trust lightly.

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Highly Perceptive
"I hear what you say — and what you don't."

As a highly sensitive person, I pick up on nuances others miss — an unspoken concern, an unstated priority, a hesitation in an email. This lets me communicate in ways that actually work for each person, and pre-empt problems before they become real ones.

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Detail-Oriented & Efficient
"Precision matters. So does your time."

I notice the small things — the clause in a contract, the inconsistency in a sample, the number that doesn't quite add up. And I act on them quickly. I hold myself to a high standard because I know your business depends on it.

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Warm, Open & Direct
"Honest conversations build better outcomes."

I love meeting new people and hearing their stories. I'll tell you what I genuinely think, even when it's not what you want to hear — because that's what a real advisor does. You'll always know exactly where things stand with me.

Services built around real business outcomes

Every engagement is tailored. I work with a focused number of clients at a time — because the kind of attention that actually moves the needle cannot be spread too thin.

01

China Sourcing & Procurement Agent

Your eyes, ears and hands on the ground. For businesses that are buying from China but managing everything remotely — I close that gap. Finding the right suppliers, negotiating pricing, checking quality, coordinating shipments. All of it.

  • Supplier research & shortlisting
  • Factory verification & audit support
  • Price negotiation & contract support
  • Sample coordination & QC follow-up
  • Shipping & logistics coordination
Commission-based · Project rates available
02

Supplier Development & Selection Consultant

For brands at a turning point — your China volume is growing and the informal approach is no longer enough. I help you build a supply chain that's actually built for where your business is going, not just where it's been.

  • Category & market research
  • Supplier landscape mapping
  • Comparative supplier assessment
  • Pilot order management
  • Long-term partnership setup
Project-based · Retainer available

Built for businesses without a China presence

Large corporations already have people on the ground in China. This is for everyone else — the growing brands managing China remotely and feeling the friction of that distance every day.

🏢
Mid-sized brands without a China office

You're buying from China regularly but relying on emails, trade shows and agents. It works — until quality slips, a delivery is late, or you realise you've been overpaying for years. I close that gap.

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Established importers ready to go direct

You've been using trading companies or agents and know you're paying more than you should. You want a trusted person who works for you — not for their own margin. That's exactly what I do.

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Growing brands at a turning point

Your China orders are getting serious enough that informal management no longer cuts it — but not yet big enough to justify a full office. This is exactly the stage where I add the most value.

🌍
European, US & Australian businesses

My background is in European — particularly German — quality standards and compliance culture. I understand what your customers expect and how to make sure China delivers exactly that. US and Australian businesses welcome too.

Not sure if you're the right fit? If you're sourcing from China and feeling like something could work better — that's usually enough. Send me a message and we'll figure it out together.

How We Work Together

1
Discovery Call

We talk through your goals, timeline, budget and what success looks like for you.

2
Proposal & Scope

I outline the approach, deliverables, timeline and fees — clearly, no hidden extras.

3
Execution

I get to work using my network and experience, with regular updates at every stage.

4
Delivery & Review

Results delivered and reviewed together. Most clients continue with an ongoing arrangement.

📋 Business Survey

Tell me about your sourcing challenge

A few quick questions to help me understand your situation before we talk. I'll come back with specific, relevant thoughts — not a generic reply.

No sales pressure. I read every response personally.

My promise to you

Your answers come straight to me. I'll reply with something genuinely useful — not a copy-paste template.

Step 1 of 2
1. What's your biggest sourcing challenge right now?
Select all that apply
2. What would make the biggest difference for your business?
3. How urgent is your need?
4. How confident are you in your current China sourcing strategy?
1 = Not at all · 10 = Very confident
Not confidentVery confident
5. Anything else you'd like me to know?
Product types, budget range, previous experience — anything helps.
Want a personal reply? — optional
Goes directly to Irene. No spam.
🙏

Thank you — I've received your answers.

I'll read through your responses personally. If you left your contact details, expect to hear from me within 48 hours with something genuinely useful — not a template.

Jump to Contact Form →

Transparent pricing, serious results

Every engagement is scoped honestly. No hidden markups, no surprises. Travel expenses are billed separately at cost where required.

Advisory
Starter
$1,000
one-time · 2-week engagement
  • Strategy consultation & briefing
  • Supplier landscape review
  • Written recommendations report
  • 2 weeks of follow-up support
  • Less than a day's cost of a senior buyer
Enquire Now
Project-Based
À la carte services
Supplier Screening Report
$800
3 suppliers in depth
+$200 per additional supplier
Full Procurement Management
On request
End-to-end order management
Commission-based · scoped per project
Travel & on-site expenses billed separately at cost, agreed in advance. All engagements begin with a short scoping conversation — no commitment required.

Let's talk about your sourcing needs

I take on a limited number of new clients each quarter to ensure every project gets real attention. If you're looking for a reliable, experienced partner in China — I'd love to hear from you.

Email
irene@irene-lin.com
WeChat & Phone
+86 159 5824 0521
Response Time
Within 48 hours on weekdays
Time Zone
China Standard Time (UTC +8)
EU/US calls available by arrangement
Languages
English · Mandarin Chinese