What are the responsibilities and job description for the Procurement Specialist position at heytea?
Role Overview
Reporting to the Supply Chain Team Leader, the Procurement Specialist will support day-to-day procurement activities covering store equipment, operational supplies, and indirect procurement categories. This role requires strong organizational skills, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to communicate effectively across time zones with overseas suppliers and the HeyTea global headquarters.
Key Responsibilities
- Source, evaluate, and onboard suppliers for store equipment (e.g., tea brewing machines, refrigeration units, sealing machines, POS hardware), fixtures, packaging materials, and other indirect categories
- Manage end-to-end purchase order processing: issuance, tracking, delivery confirmation, and invoice reconciliation
- Coordinate with suppliers in China and other regions; manage cross-time-zone communication professionally and proactively
- Support new store opening projects by planning and executing equipment procurement timelines
- Maintain accurate procurement records, supplier databases, and asset inventory logs
- Assist in supplier negotiation for pricing, lead time, payment terms, and service agreements
- Ensure imported goods meet U.S. regulatory requirements (e.g., customs clearance, UL/NSF certification coordination)
- Monitor and report on procurement costs; identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvement
- Execute local procurement of store-level materials and consumables, including raising purchase requests, obtaining approvals, placing orders, coordinating delivery, and completing receipt confirmation and payment documentation
- Maintain and update material master data in procurement and ERP systems, ensuring accuracy of item codes, specifications, supplier linkages, and pricing records
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Finance, and Store Development teams
- Support ad hoc tasks and projects assigned by the Supply Chain Team Leader, senior management, or cross-functional partners in Supply Chain, Procurement, and Operations
- Occasional domestic travel to stores or supplier sites as needed (low frequency)
Qualification
- 2–3 years of procurement, sourcing, supply chain, or related experience
- Fluent in both English and Mandarin Chinese (written and spoken) — required
- Experience working with Chinese suppliers or manufacturers strongly preferred
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word); familiarity with ERP or procurement systems a plus
- Strong communication, negotiation, and organizational skills
- Comfortable working across time zones and managing occasional after-hours communication
- Knowledge of U.S. import/customs processes and relevant product certifications preferred
- Experience in retail, food & beverage, or consumer goods industries is a plus
What We Offer
- Remote work flexibility until the Irvine, CA office opens (estimated November 2026)
- Opportunity to grow with a globally recognized premium tea brand
- Dynamic, multicultural team environment
- Health benefits and PTO per company policy
Salary : $55,000 - $75,000