Coupang is reimagining the shopping experience with the goal of wowing each customer from the instant they open the Coupang app to the moment an order is delivered to their door.
Our services in Taiwan include Rocket Delivery which offers next-day delivery for a wide selection of items at affordable prices, Rocket Overseas which offers free international delivery on millions of best-selling products from Korea, the U.S., and beyond.
We are looking for talents to help us lead Coupangs expansion in Taiwan. This is an exceptional opportunity to become a part of Coupangs growth in Taiwan and create a world where our customers wonder, How did I ever live without Coupang?
Position: Principal Buyer (Global Sourcing)
What will you do?
This Principal Buyer role is designed for a strategic procurement professional with 8+ years of experience in retail, e-commerce, category management, or trade operations. The role focuses on scaling international sourcing by identifying global vendors, optimizing cross-border supply chains, and driving commercial performance. The position requires strong commercial negotiation skills, deep analytical capability, and the ability to influence both internal stakeholders and overseas suppliers. Operating in a fast-paced, multi-market environment, this role will improve sourcing processes, reduce lead time, mitigate trade risks, and ensure sustainable profitability.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and expand global vendor networks to support Coupang Taiwans cross-border business, leveraging market research, cost modeling, and demand forecasting.
- Lead high-impact commercial negotiations with international suppliers, securing competitive pricing, payment terms, MOQs, and lead-time agreements to maximize profit margins.
- Partner with logistics, supply chain, finance, legal, and category teams to optimize end-to-end cross-border operations, ensuring accurate orders, timely delivery, and seamless import workflows.
- Analyze sales, inventory turnover, and margin performance to define sourcing strategies that drive category growth and improve customer WOW experience.
- Monitor global trade trendsincluding tariffs, FX, geopolitical risks, and compliance requirementsto inform sourcing strategies and reduce operational risk.
- Identify supply chain bottlenecks and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency, reduce lead time, and increase supplier reliability.
- Oversee issue resolution for discrepancies, quality concerns, or delivery delays, ensuring corrective actions and long-term operational stability.
- Drive data-driven decision-making through regular reporting on vendor performance, cost optimization opportunities, and category-level sourcing insights.
- Collaborate closely with domestic and overseas teams to support new product development, expand assortment breadth, and scale Rocket Overseas selection.
Essential Qualifications:
- 8+ years of experience in procurement, global sourcing, international trade, retail, or e-commerce.
- Proven track record in cross-border sourcing, vendor management, and commercial negotiations.
- Strong analytical and data-driven mindset; skilled in using Excel, Sheets, or BI tools for cost, sales, and inventory analysis.
- Knowledge of global supply chain operations, international trade regulations, Incoterms, and import processes.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience collaborating across multi-functional teams.
- Fluent in English and Mandarin, with strong business writing and international negotiation skills.
- High level of ownership, ability to prioritize effectively, and comfort working in fast-paced, high-ambiguity environments.
Preferred Qualifications:
- 10+ years of relevant experience in global sourcing or cross-border e-commerce.
- Experience establishing new cross-border sourcing pipelines or leading multi-region vendor expansion initiatives.
- Familiarity with supplier markets in Korea, the U.S., China, Japan, or Southeast Asia.
- Experience with ERP, WMS, TMS, or supply chain management platforms.
- Knowledge of cost modeling, vendor performance management, and risk mitigation frameworks.
- Experience leading automation or digitization projects that improve supply chain visibility and efficiency.
- Prior exposure to app-first e-commerce, rapid-delivery retail, or high-growth marketplace environments.
Recruitment Process
Application Review - Phone Interview - Onsite (or Virtual Onsite) Interview Offer
The exact nature of the recruitment process may vary according to the specific job and may be changed due to scheduling or other circumstances.
Interview schedules and the results will be informed to the applicant via the e-mail address submitted at the application stage.
Things to Consider
This job posting may be closed prior to the stated end date for application if all openings are filled.
Coupang has the right to rescind an offer of employment if a candidate is found to have submitted false information as part of the application process.
Coupang does not discriminate against disabled applicants or those with veteran status. We are proud to offer equal opportunities for all applicants.
