Q: Is there a list of sourcing agent tasks and responsibilities ?
A: A normal sourcing agent would easily be able to source 5-10 products in a month. It may be a little less at the beginning, but after some familiarity with you and your standards, that’s what you would see within a month or two.
A good agent can probably source 10-20 products a month.
However, that’s NOT ALL THEY CAN DO.
You can have them do all these things too (and more):
1.) Negotiate Sample Prices
2.) Negotiate MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)
3.) Negotiate Price Per Unit
4.) Contact factories not listed on Alibaba (such as 1688.com)
5.) Solve logistics problems in China (with manufacturer)
6.) Create a Proforma Invoice for your order
7.) Keep track of your orders
8.) Collect and consolidate your samples (and post-production samples)
9.) Ship samples to you all together to save money