What This Job Is
An export sales representative (外贸业务员) is the bridge between a Chinese textile factory and international buyers. You find overseas customers, negotiate prices, manage orders from sample to shipment, and maintain long-term buyer relationships. This is one of the highest-paying professional roles in the textile industry — but it requires bilingual skills and the ability to juggle dozens of orders simultaneously.
What You'll Do Each Day
- Respond to buyer inquiries via email, WhatsApp, and video calls (often across time zones)
- Prepare and send price quotations based on buyer specifications
- Coordinate with the factory on sampling, production schedules, and quality requirements
- Negotiate payment terms, delivery dates, and pricing with buyers
- Track orders through production — from raw materials to final shipment
- Arrange logistics: booking shipping containers, preparing export documents (B/L, packing list, commercial invoice)
- Attend trade shows (Canton Fair, Heimtextil) to meet new buyers
- Handle after-sales issues: claims, returns, quality disputes
This is an office role but with frequent factory visits. You'll spend mornings on emails and calls with international clients, afternoons coordinating with the production team. During trade show season (April, October), you'll travel.
Skills & Requirements
Self-assessment: check the skills you have
0/9Education: Bachelor's degree in International Trade (国际贸易), English, Business, or Textile Engineering. Some companies accept candidates with strong English skills regardless of major.
Physical requirements: Minimal. Desk-based work with occasional factory floor visits and trade show travel.
Salary Data
| Region | Entry Level | Mid Level | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guangdong (广东) | ¥6,000–8,000 | ¥8,000–15,000 | ¥15,000–25,000+ |
| Zhejiang (浙江) | ¥5,500–7,500 | ¥7,500–13,000 | ¥13,000–22,000+ |
| Shanghai (上海) | ¥7,000–10,000 | ¥10,000–18,000 | ¥18,000–30,000+ |
| Jiangsu (江苏) | ¥5,500–7,500 | ¥7,500–12,000 | ¥12,000–20,000+ |
Note: These figures are base salary only. Most export sales positions include commission (提成) of 1-3% on order value. Top performers with established buyer relationships earn significantly more through commission. Annual income for experienced sales reps can reach ¥200,000–500,000+ including commission.
Career Progression
Sales Assistant
外贸助理0–1 year
Supporting senior sales reps, learning product knowledge, handling documentation
Sales Representative
外贸业务员1–3 years
Managing your own accounts, attending trade shows, hitting sales targets
Senior Sales Rep
高级业务员3–5 years
Key account management, mentoring juniors, larger order volumes
Sales Team Lead
业务主管4–7 years
Leading a team of 3-8 sales reps, regional market strategy
Sales Manager
销售经理6–10 years
Department management, annual targets, market expansion
Sales Director / VP
销售总监10+ years
Company-wide sales strategy, key client relationships, pricing authority
Alternative paths: Experienced export sales reps sometimes transition to:
- Sourcing agent — working for the buyer side instead of the factory
- Trading company owner — starting your own export business with established buyer relationships
- Product development — leveraging product knowledge into design/merchandising roles
Work Environment
Setting: Office with frequent factory visits. Modern export companies have open-plan offices with good internet and video conferencing setup.
Standard Hours
9:00 AM – 6:00 PMLunch 12:00–1:30 PM
Client Calls (EU/US time zones)
Evening 7:00–10:00 PMAs needed
Officially 5 days/week, but client communications happen outside office hours due to time zones. Trade show travel: 2-4 weeks per year (Canton Fair, Heimtextil, etc.). Some companies offer flexible hours to accommodate international calls.
What sets this role apart:
- Higher earning potential than most factory roles through commission
- International exposure — you'll work with buyers from 20+ countries
- Professional office environment with career mobility
- Transferable skills (sales, negotiation, trade) apply across industries
- More independence and less physical labor than production roles
How to Get Started
- Still in university? Intern at a trading company or factory export department during summer. Focus on building English writing skills
- Strong English, no trade experience? Target "外贸助理" (sales assistant) roles — they train you on the trade mechanics
- Have production experience? Your factory knowledge is a major advantage. Many factories prefer sales reps who understand manufacturing
- Build your Alibaba skills: Many export companies use Alibaba International. Familiarity with the platform is a big plus
- Browse export sales jobs on TexHire
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