OEM Sourcing & Merchandising Specialist (Korean Bilingual)

About the role

• Job Summary

Our company is seeking an experienced, proactive professional to manage international OEM sourcing and merchandising. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience in overseas product sourcing, OEM manufacturing, supplier price negotiations, and merchandising.

This role focuses on identifying international manufacturers, developing new products, negotiating competitive pricing, and managing the sourcing process from sampling through final production. Candidates must be willing to travel internationally to visit manufacturers and domestically to attend trade shows.

• Key Responsibilities

A. International Sourcing & OEM Manufacturing

• Identify overseas OEM manufacturers and suppliers and establish business relationships.
• Source new products and evaluate manufacturers' production capacity, quality, and price competitiveness.
• Negotiate product costs, minimum order quantities (MOQs), production lead times, and payment terms.
• Coordinate product samples, revisions, and production schedules.
• Manage OEM sourcing projects from initial product inquiries through final production.
• Monitor supplier performance, product quality, and on-time delivery.
• Research and identify alternative suppliers to reduce costs, improve quality, and increase sourcing efficiency.

B. Merchandising & Product Development

• Research market trends and identify new product opportunities.
• Collaborate with internal design and sales teams on new product development.
• Review product costs, selling prices, and profit margins.
• Support product assortment planning and new product launches.
• Analyze competitor products, pricing, and market demand.

C. Trade Shows & International Travel

• Visit overseas factories, meet with suppliers, and attend sourcing exhibitions.
• Attend trade shows in the United States to research new products, suppliers, and market trends.
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with manufacturers and industry partners.
• Evaluate new sourcing opportunities and follow up with prospective suppliers.

D. Additional Responsibilities

• Assist with wholesale product assortments and product catalog management as needed.
• Support B2B wholesale platform operations, including Faire, as the business expands.

Qualifications & Requirements

• At least 3 years of experience in international product sourcing, OEM manufacturing, purchasing, or merchandising.
• Hands-on experience working directly with overseas manufacturers.
• Understanding of OEM production processes, product costing, and supplier price negotiations.
• Experience managing product samples, production schedules, and supplier communications.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally and domestically within the United States for business.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in toys, plush products, gifts, character merchandise, or consumer goods.
• Experience working with manufacturers in China and other Asian countries.
• Knowledge of international shipping, import procedures, and production quality control.
• Experience attending domestic and international trade shows.
• Familiarity with or experience using Faire or other B2B wholesale platforms.
• Proficiency in Mandarin Chinese or Korean in addition to English.

Korean/English Bilingual Required

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.