Yami
Overview
HR Talent Manager | Hiring | People & Culture | Employee Experience
About Yami:
Founded in 2013, Yami’s mission is to bring the world closer for everyone to experience and enjoy. We make it easy to discover exciting flavors and trending products from Asia. Named Inc. Magazine’s fastest growing start-up on the Inc. 500 List, we’re committed to connecting people with authentic food, beauty, home, and wellness experiences through our e-commerce platform, iOS, and Android apps.
Benefits & Compensation:
401(k) matching
Health insurance: medical, vision, and dental
$80K-108K
Paid time off (PTO): vacation, sick, and holidays
On-site gym/pool and game rooms
Coffee and snacks
Role and Focus We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Purchasing Specialist (Potential Lead) who is fluent in both Korean and English, with a strong background in procurement, merchandising, and vendor management—preferably within the beauty, food, and/or consumer goods sectors. The ideal candidate will drive category growth in the Korean market by identifying strategic procurement opportunities, managing domestic and international supplier relationships, and executing purchasing strategies to optimize margin and inventory performance. They should possess a deep understanding of Korean consumer products, business practices, and culture, with proven expertise in cross-border supplier management and strategic sourcing. Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills are essential, as this role also involves mentoring junior team members and aligning with internal stakeholders across functions.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and execute the entire buying cycle (end-to-end): supplier sourcing, product selection, vendor negotiation (cost/payment), 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 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.
Key Qualifications
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 communicate with suppliers in Korea and internal 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; hands-on experience managing international shipments and logistics.
Strong analytical skills to interpret sales and inventory data for strategic purchasing decisions.
Experience with supplier onboarding, term negotiation, purchase orders, lead times, and logistics coordination.
Excellent communication and organizational skills; comfortable in a fast-paced, cross-cultural environment.
Experience leading or mentoring teams in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency in Excel and ERP or other inventory management systems.
Preferred Experience
Experience working with Korean brands and suppliers.
Experience at a diverse or global company partnered with Korean brands.
Background in beauty, skincare, K-beauty, K-food, or other Korean consumer product categories.
Knowledge of import/export terms, international logistics, and cross-border vendor management.
Familiarity with customs clearance, compliance, and import documentation for international shipping.
Experience leading a small to mid-size procurement/merchandising team.
Experience localizing Korean products for U.S. or international consumers, especially for the Asian community in the U.S.
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Purchasing and Supply Chain
Industries
Software Development
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Yami by 2x
Location and compensation notes Get notified when a new job is posted. Fountain Valley, CA $83,940.00-$120,032.00
Other postings with related roles may appear in this list, including Senior Buyer and Senior Procurement Specialist positions in nearby areas.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
About Yami:
Founded in 2013, Yami’s mission is to bring the world closer for everyone to experience and enjoy. We make it easy to discover exciting flavors and trending products from Asia. Named Inc. Magazine’s fastest growing start-up on the Inc. 500 List, we’re committed to connecting people with authentic food, beauty, home, and wellness experiences through our e-commerce platform, iOS, and Android apps.
Benefits & Compensation:
401(k) matching
Health insurance: medical, vision, and dental
$80K-108K
Paid time off (PTO): vacation, sick, and holidays
On-site gym/pool and game rooms
Coffee and snacks
Role and Focus We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Purchasing Specialist (Potential Lead) who is fluent in both Korean and English, with a strong background in procurement, merchandising, and vendor management—preferably within the beauty, food, and/or consumer goods sectors. The ideal candidate will drive category growth in the Korean market by identifying strategic procurement opportunities, managing domestic and international supplier relationships, and executing purchasing strategies to optimize margin and inventory performance. They should possess a deep understanding of Korean consumer products, business practices, and culture, with proven expertise in cross-border supplier management and strategic sourcing. Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills are essential, as this role also involves mentoring junior team members and aligning with internal stakeholders across functions.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and execute the entire buying cycle (end-to-end): supplier sourcing, product selection, vendor negotiation (cost/payment), 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 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.
Key Qualifications
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 communicate with suppliers in Korea and internal 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; hands-on experience managing international shipments and logistics.
Strong analytical skills to interpret sales and inventory data for strategic purchasing decisions.
Experience with supplier onboarding, term negotiation, purchase orders, lead times, and logistics coordination.
Excellent communication and organizational skills; comfortable in a fast-paced, cross-cultural environment.
Experience leading or mentoring teams in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency in Excel and ERP or other inventory management systems.
Preferred Experience
Experience working with Korean brands and suppliers.
Experience at a diverse or global company partnered with Korean brands.
Background in beauty, skincare, K-beauty, K-food, or other Korean consumer product categories.
Knowledge of import/export terms, international logistics, and cross-border vendor management.
Familiarity with customs clearance, compliance, and import documentation for international shipping.
Experience leading a small to mid-size procurement/merchandising team.
Experience localizing Korean products for U.S. or international consumers, especially for the Asian community in the U.S.
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Purchasing and Supply Chain
Industries
Software Development
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Yami by 2x
Location and compensation notes Get notified when a new job is posted. Fountain Valley, CA $83,940.00-$120,032.00
Other postings with related roles may appear in this list, including Senior Buyer and Senior Procurement Specialist positions in nearby areas.
#J-18808-Ljbffr