Yami · 2 months ago
Senior Purchasing Specialist/Lead
Brea, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$80K/yr - $110K/yr
5+ years expYami is a rapidly growing e-commerce company focused on bringing authentic Asian products to consumers. They are seeking a highly motivated Senior Purchasing Specialist who will manage procurement and vendor relationships, particularly in the Korean market, while optimizing purchasing strategies to enhance margin and inventory performance.
BeautyE-CommerceRetail
Responsibilities
Lead and execute the entire buying cycle (end-to-end buying processes): supplier sourcing, product selection, vendor negotiation (cost/payment negotiation), purchase order placement, and delivery coordination
Build and maintain strong vendor relationships with Korean partners locally and internationally, ensuring clear communication, aligned timelines, and mutual expectations
Collaborate closely with merchandising, marketing, and logistics teams to ensure timely product launches and stock availability
Monitor inventory performance and optimize purchasing strategies for margin and stock efficiency
Continuously optimize purchasing strategies to meet business objectives and improve gross margins
Act as a liaison among Korean vendors, the Korean office, and the U.S. headquarters to ensure clear communication
Analyze market trends, product performance, and customer needs to identify opportunities and source new products/brands
Stay current on Korean product trends and emerging opportunities to fuel innovation and competitiveness
Mentor and lead junior team members, especially in developing product knowledge, cultural sensitivity, and best business practices
Collaborate with cross-functional teams (marketing, creative, operations) to ensure a seamless go-to-market process
Qualification
Required
5–8+ years of buying or sourcing experience, preferably in retail, e-commerce, or wholesale environments
Fluency in Korean and English (written and spoken) is required to effectively communicate with suppliers in Korea and internal cross-functional teams
Demonstrated understanding of Korean business culture, supplier management, and negotiation styles
Proven experience in vendor negotiation, cost management, and purchase planning. Skilled in data-driven buying, margin optimization, and lifecycle management
Proven experience managing both large-scale and small-scale procurement processes, with strong operational and negotiation capabilities
Deep understanding of Incoterms and global trade regulations, with hands-on experience managing international shipments and logistics
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales and inventory data to make strategic purchasing decisions
Experience in managing supplier onboarding with term negotiation, purchase orders, lead times, and logistics coordination
Excellent communication and organizational skills; comfortable working in a fast-paced, cross-cultural environment
Experienced in cross-functional collaboration, working closely with operations, logistics, marketing, and finance teams
Experience leading or mentoring teams in a fast-paced environment
Proficiency in Excel and ERP or any inventory management systems
Preferred
Experience working with Korean brands and suppliers
Prior experience working at a diverse company, or in a global company closely partnered with Korean brands
Prior work in beauty, skincare, K-beauty, K-food, or other Korean consumer product categories
Knowledge of import/export trade terms, international logistics, and cross-border vendor management
Familiarity with customs clearance, compliance, and import documentation for international shipping
Prior experience leading a small to mid-size team in procurement or merchandising
Experience in localizing Korean products (especially in beauty, skincare, or food) for U.S. or international consumers, especially the Asian community in the U.S
Benefits
401(k) matching
Health insurance: medical, vision, and dental
Paid time off (PTO): vacation, sick, and holidays
On-site gym/pool and game rooms
Employee discount
Coffee and snacks
Company
Yami
Founded in 2013, Yami’s mission is to bring the world closer for everyone to experience and enjoy.
501-1000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Yami has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (14)
2024 (9)
2023 (10)
2022 (9)
2021 (13)
2020 (3)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$60MKey Investors
Notable Capital
2022-03-30Series B· $50M
2017-07-10Series A· $10M
Leadership Team
Alex Zhou
Founder and CEO
Recent News
2022-04-08
2022-04-04
2022-04-04
Company data provided by crunchbase