Senior Supply Chain Performance Manager

Language Matters Recruitment Consultants Ltd; Eindhoven; Hybrid; EUR 44,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

€6,500/mo salary

KPI bonus up to €1,000/quarter

Job summary

Language Matters Recruitment Consultants Ltd is seeking a highly organised Senior Supplier Operations Manager to lead supplier performance and supply chain operations across Europe and China. This leadership role focuses on supplier performance, strategic planning and continuous improvement, acting as the link between Dutch management, Chinese suppliers and internal stakeholders.

You will oversee a team in the Netherlands and China, drive KPI-based improvements, manage escalations, and build

Qualifications

• Fluent Dutch and Mandarin Chinese at professional level.
• Experience managing suppliers or supply chain performance.
• Lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with KPIs and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to remain calm and objective in a fast-paced environment.
• Maintain strategic overview while managing operational challenges.
• Commercial mindset balancing risk, opportunity and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage supplier performance across a network of China-based manufacturing and sourcing partners.
• Act as the primary bridge between European management teams and Chinese suppliers.
• Manage and develop a team of five supply chain professionals located in both the Netherlands and China.
• Drive supplier accountability through KPIs, performance metrics and regular performance reviews.
• Monitor supplier delivery, quality, pricing and operational performance.
• Conduct supplier evaluations, audits and improvement initiatives where required.
• Identify operational risks and implement proactive solutions before issues impact customers.
• Lead weekly supplier KPI reviews and performance meetings.
• Analyse data, identify trends and develop strategic improvement plans.
• Manage escalations relating to supplier performance, quality, stock availability and delivery issues.
• Work with Account Management, Operations, Customer Success and Leadership teams to prioritise actions.
• Build strong, long-term supplier relationships while maintaining high performance expectations.
• Develop processes, structures and reporting frameworks supporting growth.
• Convert operational challenges into commercial opportunities through planning and supplier collaboration.
• Maintain a clear overview of priorities across departments.

Skills

Dutch (professional)

Mandarin Chinese

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional leadership

KPI & metrics

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Commercial mindset

Job description

Salary & Benefits

• Up to €6,500 gross per month plus a quarterly KPI bonus of up to €1,000
• Opportunity to join a rapidly scaling international business experiencing 40-50% year-on-year growth
• Significant autonomy and ownership within a business-critical leadership role
• Direct impact on company performance, supplier relationships, and customer satisfaction
• Dynamic, entrepreneurial and fast-paced working environment
• International exposure, working daily with teams and suppliers across Europe and China
• Long-term career progression opportunities as the business continues to expand globally
• Young, ambitious and highly driven company culture focused on growth and innovation

The Role

We are seeking a highly organised and commercially minded Senior Supplier Operations Manager to lead supplier performance and supply chain operations across Europe and China. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for ensuring suppliers consistently deliver against agreed performance standards while acting as the key link between Dutch management, Chinese suppliers, and internal stakeholders. Rather than focusing on day-to-day logistics execution, this position centres on supplier performance, operational oversight, stakeholder management, strategic planning, and continuous improvement. You will oversee a team based in both the Netherlands and China while maintaining visibility across all supplier-related activities. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving improvements, implementing action plans, analysing KPIs, and ensuring the supplier network remains a competitive advantage for the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage supplier performance across a network of China-based manufacturing and sourcing partners
• Act as the primary bridge between European management teams and Chinese suppliers
• Manage and develop a team of five supply chain professionals located in both the Netherlands and China
• Drive supplier accountability through agreed KPIs, performance metrics and regular performance reviews
• Monitor supplier delivery, quality, pricing and operational performance
• Conduct supplier evaluations, audits and improvement initiatives where required
• Identify operational risks and implement proactive solutions before issues impact customers
• Lead weekly supplier KPI reviews and performance meetings
• Analyse data, identify trends and develop strategic improvement plans
• Manage escalations relating to supplier performance, quality, stock availability and delivery issues
• Work closely with Account Management, Operations, Customer Success and Leadership teams to prioritise actions and resolve complex challenges
• Build strong long-term supplier relationships while maintaining high performance expectations
• Develop processes, structures and reporting frameworks that support continued business growth
• Convert operational challenges into commercial opportunities through strategic planning and supplier collaboration
• Maintain a clear overview of priorities across multiple departments and stakeholders

Essential Requirements

• Fluent Dutch (minimum professional level) and Mandarin Chinese
• Strong understanding of Chinese business culture and ways of working
• Previous experience managing suppliers, external partners, operations or supply chain performance
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Experience working with KPIs, operational performance metrics and continuous improvement initiatives
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Ability to remain calm and objective in a fast-paced environment
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to maintain a strategic overview while managing operational challenges
• Commercial mindset with the ability to balance risk, opportunity and business priorities

Highly Desirable

• Supplier performance management experience
• Factory, sourcing or procurement exposure
• Experience working directly with Chinese suppliers or manufacturing partners
• Previous experience in a scale-up or high-growth business
• Supply chain, operations, logistics or supplier management leadership experience
• Experience managing international teams

Personal Profile

• We are looking for someone who:
• Thrives under pressure and enjoys taking ownership
• Naturally creates structure and clarity in complex situations
• Is proactive rather than reactive
• Can prioritise effectively and focus on high-impact activities
• Is commercially aware and solution-oriented
• Enjoys working in a fast-changing entrepreneurial environment
• Can confidently challenge suppliers and internal stakeholders when required
• Has the maturity and confidence to make decisions independently

About the Business

Our client is a rapidly growing international technology and e-commerce business that supports online retailers through a combination of software, automation, supplier management and supply chain solutions. Working with a large network of suppliers across China and customers throughout Europe, the business has established itself as a trusted partner for e-commerce entrepreneurs looking to optimise their operations, improve product sourcing and scale efficiently. The organisation combines advanced technology with operational excellence, offering customers access to supplier networks, fulfilment solutions, performance management tools and dedicated account support. With continued growth forecast over the coming years, this is an exciting opportunity to join a business where supplier performance sits at the heart of its success and where the right individual can make a significant impact on future growth.