Finding the Right Supplier:

This is the most important job a sourcing agent does for you-finding the right supplier for your needs. An experienced sourcing agent would have a wide network of suppliers and they can easily identify a supplier that can best meet your requirements. They help you find suppliers for even very precise requirements. For example, if you want new product development, they will find a manufacturer who is capable of doing it for you. Right from design and prototyping to production, there are manufacturers who can do everything for you. You just need a competent sourcing agent to connect you to the right supplier. They can find for you the best OEM or ODM manufacturers as required.

Price Negotiation:

Negotiating prices with a supplier sitting in a foreign country and speaking an entirely different language is not an easy feat. It is even more difficult for those who are sourcing from China for the first time because they are unaware of how the industry operates. They negotiate prices based on the limits set by the buyer. Due to their established relationship with the supplier and their knowledge of the local market, the sourcing agent is able to negotiate better prices compared to what the buyer can do directly.

Monitoring the Production Process:

Once the production begins, the sourcing agent would follow up and make sure that everything is going as per schedule. The sourcing agent will keep a check on the production process to make sure that the deadlines, quality and design requirements are being met. This ensures that any deviation is caught early on and corrected.

Quality Inspection:

This is one of the most important services a sourcing agent can provide. Quality is the biggest concern when one is sourcing products from another country. Even if you have approved samples, things can go wrong and the product you receive may not meet your quality standards unless quality inspection is performed at the right time. Timely quality inspection makes sure that the products do not leave the factory premises until they meet the specifications set by the buyer. They take care of quality control, testing and compliance.

Warehousing and Shipping:

Logistics can be a huge issue when you are sourcing from another country where you don’t have any local support. Some sourcing agents can help you with warehousing and shipping as well. You need warehousing to keep the products safe till they are shipped. They can also coordinate shipping so that the products are delivered to you in right condition and at the right time.

Sourcing Consultancy:

Sourcing agents are experts in the industries they operate in. Whether you are looking for new product development or want to get existing products customized, the sourcing agents can guide you all the way through. The one-on-one consultations can answer all the questions you may have about the entire sourcing process.

Supply Chain Management:

A good sourcing agent can help you maintain a healthy supply chain in China. They work to optimize their client’s China sourcing approach and ensure that they get the best prices always. They can collaborate with the suppliers to establish standard operating procedures for future production runs to achieve high efficiency.