Open to opportunities

Karen HAO

@karenhao

Supply Chain Manager specializing in solar and dangerous-goods procurement, cutting cost and risk through supplier leadership.

China

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a senior supply chain leadership role where I can own end-to-end sourcing, manage supplier relationships, and reduce both cost and risk—especially for solar and dangerous-goods categories—while building high-performing multicultural teams.

I’m a Supply Chain Manager with 20+ years of experience in sourcing and supply chain across multinational corporations, including Engie, WMF, and SEB. I’m commercially responsible for driving down cost & risk for critical components while leading end-to-end sourcing and execution.

In my current role with GSOL ENERGY GLOBAL A/S, I’m the company’s 1st employee in China, coordinating end-to-end sourcing for key solar power system equipment. I qualify and select suppliers with engineering colleagues in Denmark, perform supplier visits and evaluations, participate in factory acceptance tests, manage supplier relationships, negotiate key terms, and ensure document and delivery correctness—helping new supplier sourcing and procurement orders ship smoothly.

Previously, as Supply Chain & Procurement Manager at Engie Group and Engie Energy Access, I led procurement and supply chain teams and integrated two companies to ensure smoothly running supply chain activities from China. I also developed supplier bases, reduced product and logistics costs, managed safety stock levels, standardized processes (RFQ, instruction sheets, payment), and improved customer service by increasing on-time shipment and reducing lead times and MOQ—supported by KPI-driven vendor performance management and team leadership.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Supply Chain Manager

Current

GSOL Energy Global A/S

Jan 2021 - Present (5 years 5 months)

As the company’s first China employee, led end-to-end sourcing for critical solar power equipment, driving down cost and supply risk in partnership with Denmark engineering and key suppliers. Managed supplier onboarding and relationship management, supported factory acceptance tests, and ensured document and delivery correctness across multiple UNDP/UNICEF deployments.

Strategic Sourcing Supplier Relationship Management Supplier Performance Management Supplier Risk Management Factory Acceptance Documentation Contract Negotiation Solar BESS Supply Chain

Supply Chain & Procurement Manager

Engie Energy Access

Aug 2020 - Jan 2021 (5 months)

Managed upstream supply chain and procurement for Engie’s off-grid, pay-as-you-go solutions, leading a team of 6.5 and executing process optimization to keep China supply operations running smoothly. Supported cross-market fulfillment while scaling monthly demand coverage and aligning supplier performance to demand needs.

Upstream Supply Chain Procurement Leadership Supplier Management Process Optimization Off Grid Supply Chain Team Management Cost Control

Supply Chain & Procurement Manager

Engie Group

Mar 2019 - Jan 2021 (1 year 10 months)

Led supply chain and procurement management, integrating Engie Mobisol/Fenix operations and optimizing strategic processes to ensure smooth China-based supply. Managed supplier range optimization to meet cost-down targets and supported scaling monthly demand to sister company markets (from 3 to 9).

Supply Chain Integration Strategic Procurement Team Leadership demand planning Off Grid Energy Supply Chain

Senior Supply Chain Manager

Engie Mobisol

Mar 2019 - Aug 2020 (1 year 5 months)

Managed sourcing and supplier performance for solar home system supply, reducing product and logistics costs through continuous purchasing process improvements. Led day-to-day purchasing and logistics operations and maintained safety stock in the China warehouse to support urgent customer requests.

Supplier Performance Management Strategic Sourcing Purchasing Operations Logistics Coordination Team Management Supplier Development Supply Planning

Operations Associate Supply Chain Manager

SEB/WMF Group

Aug 2008 - Jul 2018 (9 years 11 months)

Served as an escalation point for supply chain issues and led vendor negotiations, monthly capacity commitments, and demand/planning adjustments to avoid backlog and high inventory. Standardized direct-shipment processes, improved on-time shipment performance, and managed vendor performance reporting and improvement with quarterly KPI reviews.

Vendor Performance Management demand planning order fulfillment Process Standardization KPIs Inventory Management Team Leadership Direct Shipment Operations

Sr Merchandiser

Acton Far East Limited

Aug 2008 - Oct 2010 (2 years 2 months)

Sourced household and kitchenware OEM products (mainly stainless steel) for German e-commerce customers, including Tchibo, Edeka, and Gefu. Developed and managed vendor bases across China and participated in negotiations for pricing and confirmed delivery timelines to support smooth shipment.

Supplier Development Vendor Management Pricing Negotiation Stainless Steel Category Sourcing

Assistant Merchandiser

Test Rite Group

Jul 2007 - Jul 2008 (1 year)

Sourced BBQ products and BBQ tooling for US-Canada customers (Wal-Mart/Target/Sam’s Club) and supported project tracking through to delivery. Coordinated sourcing activities with customers’ requirements to ensure orders moved smoothly to shipment.

Product Sourcing Supplier Coordination Project Tracking Order Management Retail Customer Support BBQ Tooling Sourcing Logistics Coordination

Project Manager

Sino Strategic (Shanghai) Co., Ltd

Aug 2005 - Jun 2007 (1 year 10 months)

Provided sourcing and follow-up services for an Italian buying office, identifying competitively priced products via websites and trade fairs based on customer requests. Managed orders through to shipment for categories including ceramic/plastic bathroom accessories, toilet seats, and bathmats while handling basic office operations.

Product Sourcing Trade Fair Sourcing Supplier Coordination Market Research Office Operations