China Sourcing Consultant

I am your person
in China

Your eyes, ears and hands on the ground.

I help overseas brands and importers bridge the gap with Chinese suppliers — making sourcing communication clearer, cooperation smoother, and project decisions less risky. With more than 10 years of experience across China factory sales management and European brand-side buying and procurement, I understand both how suppliers operate and what overseas buyers need to make confident decisions.

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
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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

I help businesses manage the China sourcing they have today — and build the supply chain they will need tomorrow.

01
For Active Sourcing Projects

China Sourcing & Procurement Support

Manage what you already have.

I am your person in China — your eyes, ears and hands on the ground.

This service is for brands and importers that already have an active sourcing requirement, supplier discussion, sample process or production order underway. I help manage the practical factory-side work, keep communication clear and support the decisions that move the project from supplier selection through production and shipment.

  • Supplier research and shortlisting
  • Factory verification and audit coordination
  • Quotation, MOQ and payment-term review
  • Supplier communication and negotiation support
  • Sample coordination and production preparation
  • QC, inspection, shipping and logistics coordination
Project-based · ongoing support available
02
For the Next Stage of Growth

Strategic Supplier & Supply Chain Development

Build what comes next.

For brands that are outgrowing an informal, single-supplier or single-country sourcing approach. I help you reassess where and how you source, compare supplier and market options, and build a more resilient supply chain for the next stage of your business.

This may include developing alternative suppliers in China, restructuring your supplier portfolio, or planning a multi-country sourcing strategy based on product capability, cost, lead time, quality and risk.

  • Category, market and supplier-landscape research
  • Comparative supplier and country assessment
  • Supplier portfolio and dependency review
  • Alternative supplier development
  • Multi-country sourcing strategy
  • Pilot-order and transition planning
  • Long-term supplier and supply-chain roadmap
Strategy projects · retainer available
Not sure where to start?
Start with a 48-Hour China Supplier Risk Review

A focused first step if you already have a supplier, quotation, sample, or project discussion underway — and want a buyer-side second opinion before you commit more time or money.

See the 48-Hour Review →

Bridging the distance in China sourcing

China sourcing often breaks down not because buyers and suppliers are unwilling to work together, but because distance creates misunderstanding: unclear expectations, slow follow-up, different quality assumptions, quotation gaps, and communication that does not translate into real execution.

I work with overseas brands, importers, Amazon/DTC operators, and product businesses that need someone who understands both the China factory side and the European buyer side to make supplier cooperation smoother, clearer, and more reliable.

🏢
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.

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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.

This may not be the right fit if you are mainly looking for:

A better fit if you are:

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.

48-Hour China Supplier Risk Review

A focused second opinion before you commit more money, time or trust to a supplier.

For brands and importers that already have a supplier, quotation, sample or project discussion underway and need an independent buyer-side review before making the next decision.

  • Supplier credibility and red-flag review
  • Factory vs trading-company signals
  • Quotation, MOQ and payment-term logic
  • Sample-to-production risk notes
  • Communication gaps and supplier-side warning signs
  • Recommended next-step questions or response strategy
  • Written review within 48 hours after scope confirmation
Fixed-fee review · quoted after a short scoping form
Start With a Risk Review
Advisory
Project Advisory Sprint
$1,000
one-time · 2-week engagement

For sourcing projects that need more than a risk check — including clearer direction, structured decisions and a practical next-step plan.

  • Project strategy consultation and briefing
  • Supplier-selection or quotation decision framework
  • Project brief and sourcing-approach review
  • Sample, negotiation or production-preparation plan
  • Written action plan with priorities and next steps
  • Two weeks of follow-up advisory support
Enquire Now
Project-Based
Full Procurement Management
On request

End-to-end buyer-side management for projects that require full supplier, production and delivery coordination. Scope and fees are agreed based on the project.

  • End-to-end supplier and order management
  • Factory communication and production follow-up
  • Sample approval and QC coordination
  • Shipping and logistics coordination
  • Buyer-side project management
  • Scope and fee agreed per project
Discuss Your Project

Travel and on-site expenses are billed separately at cost and agreed in advance. All engagements begin with a short scoping conversation.

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