Supply Chain Manager (Hospitality Industry)
About the Role
Qualitaste Limited specialises in turnkey hospitality setups and commercial equipment supply for projects worldwide. While our Purchasing team secures the best manufacturing partners in China, we need an analytical and highly resourceful Supply Chain Manager to take ownership of the post\-production journey. In this role, you will be the mastermind behind our international freight, inventory control, and export compliance. You will manage the movement of highly diverse shipments—from full container loads of prefabricated catering units and heavy commercial kitchen equipment, to fast\-moving LCL shipments of daily food service supplies, packaging, and ingredients. You will heavily utilize your knowledge of the mainland Chinese logistics network to ensure our global projects are delivered on time and within budget.
Key Responsibilities
· Export Logistics \& Consolidation: Coordinate directly with local Chinese freight forwarders and consolidation centres (particularly in Guangdong and major ports) to optimise LCL and FCL sea/air freight, ensuring maximum container space utilisation and cost\-efficiency.
· Customs \& Compliance: Oversee complex export procedures out of mainland China, ensuring full compliance with statutory commodity inspections for food\-contact items, raw ingredients, and machinery.
· Global Freight Management: Track and manage international shipping routes from Chinese ports to the UK and other global destinations (including emerging markets in the Caribbean and North America).
· Tax \& Cost Optimisation: Leverage your hands\-on knowledge of Chinese export VAT refund policies and trade terms (FOB, CIF, EXW) to maximise commercial efficiency and reduce total landed costs.
· Demand Planning \& Inventory Control: Analyse project timelines and operational consumption rates for recurring F\&B supplies. Forecast demand accurately to maintain optimal stock levels in our UK and overseas warehouses, preventing stockouts without overcapitalising.
· Warehouse \& 3PL Coordination: Manage inbound deliveries, stock rotation, and outbound distribution from local and third\-party warehouses to the final client project sites.
Requirements
· Substantial experience in supply chain management, specifically focused on international freight forwarding and export logistics from mainland China.
· A verifiable, established network of reliable freight forwarders and consolidation warehouse contacts in China.
· In\-depth practical knowledge of Chinese customs declarations, commodity inspections, and the export VAT refund process.
· Native\-level or highly proficient Mandarin Chinese, with the ability to confidently navigate local Chinese logistics platforms and communicate seamlessly with domestic transport fleets and port authorities.
· Strong English communication skills to liaise with international shipping lines, UK customs, and global receiving agents.
· Advanced numerical and analytical skills for demand forecasting, shipping volume calculation (CBM), and landed cost analysis.
· Familiarity with supply chain requirements for both capital equipment (CapEx) and operational consumables (OpEx) within the catering/hospitality sector is highly advantageous.
Pay: £45,420\.00\-£66,126\.93 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in St Albans AL3 5BN
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