Project Manager

Karsten International; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Personal growth & ownership

Excellent pension scheme

Travel allowance / OV card

13th month & 8% holiday pay

Job summary

Karsten International is seeking a Project Manager Buying to own purchasing projects from start to finish, coordinating across Purchasing, Sales, Logistics, Design, Marketing, Quality, and manufacturers. You will liaise with Chinese suppliers and drive timely project delivery in a fast-paced, international environment.

The role requires five years of project management experience, strong English skills, and a proactive, data-driven approach to purchasing and product development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent working and thinking level.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in project management.
• Proven experience working with Chinese suppliers and manufacturers.
• Proven experience in the retail industry, preferably with exposure to the Chinese market.
• Passion for product development and purchasing.
• Solution-oriented mindset — you see challenges as opportunities.
• Excellent multitasking skills; you thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• In-depth understanding of the purchasing process.
• Strong command of both spoken and written English; Dutch is a plus but not required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).

Responsibilities

• Lead purchase projects from start to finish, ensuring deadlines are met.
• Create and send orders to suppliers, and keep track of product quality with our Quality Control team.
• Collaborate across teams, like Design, Sales, Logistics, and Finance, to keep everything running smoothly.
• Organize kick-off meetings and track project progress to keep everyone aligned.
• Keep systems updated (like Business Central, Monday.com, and Notion) to ensure accurate data management.
• Coordinate product samples and verify logistics details with suppliers.

Skills

Project management

Purchasing

Retail industry experience

English proficiency

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Business Central

Monday.com

Notion

Job description

40 hour

Project management, purchasing, retail, and working in an international environment. If that combination excites you, then keep reading.

As Project Manager Buying, you take ownership of purchasing projects from A to Z. Project management is your strength: you keep a clear overview, adapt quickly when priorities shift, and turn challenges into practical solutions.

You play a key role in connecting Purchasing, Sales, Logistics, Design, Marketing, Quality, and our manufacturers, making sure everyone stays aligned and projects keep moving forward. Working closely with your colleagues in China, you will also be the main point of contact for our Chinese manufacturers.

In short, you are the driving force behind the project; bringing people, planning, and priorities together to get things done.

Job overview:

• Lead purchase projectsfrom start to finish, ensuring deadlines are met.

• Create and send ordersto suppliers, and keep track of product quality with our Quality Control team.

• Collaborate across teams, like Design, Sales, Logistics, and Finance, to keep everything running smoothly.

• Organize kick-off meetingsand track project progress to keep everyone aligned.

• Keep our systems updated(like Business Central, Monday.com, and Notion) to ensure accurate data management.

• Coordinate product samplesand verify logistics details with suppliers.

Project manager buying at Karsten International:

“At Karsten International you are working and growing in the best possible way. You are surrounded by people with tons of experience, eager to share their passion. At Karsten you will be noticed, and you will be heard. Over the past years, I have worked on many different projects and there is much more to come. If you are looking for a job that is challenging, creative but most of all fun, this is the place to be.”

To be successful in this position, you are precise, critical and take initiative when necessary. You are full of energy and only stop when you have achieved the desired result.

In addition, you have:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent working and thinking level

• Minimum of five years’ experience in project management

• Proven experience working with Chinese suppliers and manufacturers

• Proven experience in the retail industry, preferably with exposure to the Chinese market

• Passion for product development and purchasing

• Solution-oriented mindset — you see challenges as opportunities

• Excellent multitasking skills; you thrive in a fast-paced environment

• In-depth understanding of the purchasing process

• Strong command of both spoken and written English; Dutch is a plus but not required

• Proficient in Microsoft Office tools (e.g., Excel, PowerPoint, Word)

What you can expect from us:

At Karsten International you will join a supportive, ambitious team where we work hard, stay sharp, and enjoy what we do. We are growing fast, so there’s plenty of room to share ideas, take ownership, and really make an impact. We communicate openly, help each other out, and keep things direct but respectful.

What we offer:

• Plenty of space for personal growth, ownership and continuous improvement

• Excellent pension scheme

• Travel allowance or OV card, 13th month & 8% holiday pay

• Daily fresh lunch, fruit, and great coffee

• Bootcamp, yoga, football team

• Option to lease a bike

• OpenUp for mental well-being + massage at the office

• Discounts on great products & fun company outings

• Easily accessible office in Amsterdam

• Support with HSM visa and 30% ruling (if applicable)

Who we are?

Karsten International develops a wide range of products for daily use, from the latest gadgets to sustainable beauty products. You name it, we make it. In addition to working hard and delivering quality, enjoyment and collegiality are our top priorities. The team consists of driven product developers, sales experts, logistics talents, online marketing specialists and graphic designers. Thanks to a broad international network and more than ten years of experience, we are winning the hearts of consumers all over the world with our products. You will be given every opportunity to contribute to this.

Our core values (woven into how we work together):

• Efficient & cost-conscious: We manage time and resources smartly, think critically and value what’s already in place.

• Ambitious with long-term focus: We take ownership, build lasting relationships and stay humble in our success.

• Striving for the best: We measure, learn, improve—and challenge each other to exceed expectations.

• Direct & respectful: We communicate openly and treat everyone with respect, regardless of background.

• We like to have fun: We enjoy what we do and create a positive, energetic work environment.