Resourceful and business-savvy sourcing and procurement professional with over 7 years of experience in international product sourcing, supplier negotiation, and logistics coordination. As co-founder of an import company and a former sourcing agent at an international trading firm, I have managed the end-to-end procurement lifecycle for custom goods from China, ensuring quality and timely delivery across global supply chains. My background in Applied Psychology and over 4 years of international teaching has shaped my exceptional communication, cross-cultural, and organizational skills. Known for my adaptability, attention to detail, and results-driven approach, I am now seeking to contribute these strengths to a dynamic procurement or supply chain team.
Hi, I’m
Ina Strauss
Sourcing And Procurement Professional
Cape Town
Summary
Overview
10
years of professional experience
11
years of post-secondary education
Work History
SNCK Pty Ltd
Import & Sourcing Specialist / Co-Founder
02.2023 - Current
Job overview
- Source custom-designed products from manufacturers in China for B2B and B2C markets
- Negotiate with Chinese factories on pricing, lead times, and minimum order quantities
- Coordinate quality control processes and manage end-to-end product inspections
- Oversee import logistics, including freight forwarding, customs clearance, and warehouse delivery
- Communicate with suppliers and logistics partners via WeChat, Alibaba, and email
- Conduct product and supplier research to align offerings with market trends
- Prepare documentation for shipping and ensure compliance with import regulations
- Managed a portfolio of suppliers, ensuring compliance with contractual terms and conditions, as well as quality standards.
- Developed long-term partnerships with key suppliers to improve performance across supply chain, generate greater cost efficiency and enable business to grow and develop.
- Negotiated favorable contract terms with suppliers, securing advantageous pricing and payment structures for the organization.
- Calculate landed costs and determine cost-efficient method to deliver product to end-user.
- Manage basic bookkeeping tasks using Xero, including invoicing, invoice tracking and expense reconciliation
Crave Trading
Product Sourcing & Development Agent
07.2018 - 10.2022
Job overview
- Collaborated with South African clients via online meetings to understand sourcing requirements
- Conducted product research and development to match client specifications and budget
- Visited factories in China to communicate product needs and oversee sample production
- Performed quality inspections to ensure compliance with agreed standards
- Coordinated logistics by booking shipments with freight and customs agents
- Managed end-to-end procurement including supplier communication, price negotiation, and delivery follow-up
Field Education English Centre
Head ESL Teacher
03.2020 - 10.2021
Job overview
- Educated students in basics of English grammar and conversational speaking.
- Led classroom instruction and teacher mentorship at a private language school
- Developed and taught ESL curriculum to improve students' conversational abilities.
- Provided targeted instruction on pronunciation, intonation, and accent reduction to enhance students'' overall communication skills in English.
- Conducted professional development workshops for teachers on effective ESL teaching strategies, elevating instructional quality across school.
Field Education Centre
Foreign English Teacher
07.2018 - 11.2019
Job overview
- Educated students in basics of English grammar and conversational speaking. Age 2-12
- Coordinated extracurricular events and group learning activities
- Introduced innovative teaching techniques to keep students engaged, leading to increased motivation and improved academic performance.
- Adopted new technologies and online platforms to facilitate student learning.
- Set assessments to measure student progress and identify growth opportunities.
- Attended workshops to learn about student motivation and engaging learning activities.
Mamalook English Training Center
English as a Second Language Teacher
07.2017 - 06.2018
Job overview
- Daily lesson planning
- Gave one-on-one attention to each student 3 -12 years old, while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
- Reviewed course materials and student progress to identify strengths and weaknesses for future improvements.
- Provided individual mentoring and special tutoring to struggling students.
- Assigned lessons and corrected homework.
- Educated students in basics of English grammar and conversational speaking.
- Developed and taught ESL curriculum to improve students' conversational abilities.
Chengdu Normal University
English Teacher Intern
02.2017 - 06.2017
Job overview
- Teaching Oral English to university students
- Weekly English corners to facilitated small group and individual instruction to maximize student learning.
- Presented a semester lecture
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking, and communication.
- Taught lessons encompassing skill-building activities in speaking, writing, reading and listening.
Go Au Pair
Au Pair
08.2015 - 07.2016
Job overview
- Applied positive behavior management techniques to enhance social interactions and emotional development.
- Assisted with housework such as laundry and cooking.
- Enforced rules and managed behavior through developmentally appropriate discipline.
- Implemented daily routine to maintain structure and stability
- Prepared and accompanied children on outings and vacations, supervising playtime and other activities for safety purposes.
- Transported children safely to school, activities and appointments on time.
- Bathed, dressed, and helped with teeth brushing as part of bedtime preparation.
- Built positive and nurturing environments to support child social and emotional growth.
- Established lasting, professional connections with families and children by encouraging open communication and delivering positive feedback.
Amelia Morgenrood
Personal Assistant
02.2015 - 08.2015
Job overview
- Managed scheduling, document filing, and internal communication for financial planning firm
- Maintained confidentiality of sensitive information by adhering to strict privacy policies and implementing secure filing systems.
- Aided executive in personal tasks such as scheduling appointments or running errands when needed.
- Managed travel arrangements including flights, accommodations, and itineraries for smooth business trips.
- Coordinated events and functions with attention to detail ensuring successful execution.
Education
University of South Africa (UNISA)
Bachelor of Arts from Applied Psychology
11-2022
University Overview
Hoër Volkskool HeidelbergHeidelberg, Gauteng
High School Diploma
04.2001
University Overview
Skills
Global Sourcing & Procurement
Attributes
Attributes
- Highly adaptable and culturally sensitive
- Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving skills
- Committed to continuous learning and improvement
- Collaborative and proactive team player
Technical And Language Skills
Technical And Language Skills
- Microsoft Excel, Word, Google Workspace
- WeChat, VooV, Alibaba
- Basic Mandarin (conversational), Native English
Timeline
Import & Sourcing Specialist / Co-Founder
SNCK Pty Ltd
02.2023 - Current
Head ESL Teacher
Field Education English Centre
03.2020 - 10.2021
Product Sourcing & Development Agent
Crave Trading
07.2018 - 10.2022
Foreign English Teacher
Field Education Centre
07.2018 - 11.2019
English as a Second Language Teacher
Mamalook English Training Center
07.2017 - 06.2018
English Teacher Intern
Chengdu Normal University
02.2017 - 06.2017
Au Pair
Go Au Pair
08.2015 - 07.2016
Personal Assistant
Amelia Morgenrood
02.2015 - 08.2015
Hoër Volkskool Heidelberg
High School Diploma
04.2001
University of South Africa (UNISA)
Bachelor of Arts from Applied Psychology
01.2022
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