Senior Supply Chain Performance Manager

Language Matters; Netherlands; Hybrid; EUR 44,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Quarterly KPI bonus

Job summary

Language Matters seeks a highly organized Senior Supplier Operations Manager to lead supplier performance and supply chain operations across Europe and China. This leadership role centers on supplier performance, oversight, stakeholder management, and continuous improvement, with a team in the Netherlands and China.

The successful candidate will drive improvements, KPI analysis, and strategic supplier collaboration while balancing commercial priorities in a fast-paced, international environment.

Qualifications

• Fluent Dutch and Mandarin required.
• Experience managing suppliers or external partners.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead supplier performance across China-based partners and European management.
• Bridge European teams and Chinese suppliers to ensure alignment on KPIs.
• Manage and develop a team of five in Netherlands and China.
• Drive KPI-based improvements and supplier accountability.
• Monitor delivery, quality, pricing and operational performance.
• Conduct supplier evaluations, audits and improvement initiatives.
• Identify risks and implement proactive solutions to protect customers.
• Lead weekly KPI reviews and strategic improvement planning.
• Collaborate with Account Management, Operations and Leadership to resolve challenges.
• Build long-term supplier relationships and scalable processes.

Skills

Supplier relationship management

Team leadership

KPI analytics

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Dutch language

Mandarin Chinese

Job description

• €6500 per month, Benefits: + quarterly bonus
• Permanent
• Purchasing and supply chain, Sales and account management
• 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
• 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:

• 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.

Are you interested to start your career in purchasing in the industry of food...

3rd Floor, 9 Irving Street, London, WC2H 7AH