Vinni Zhao

Get to know your colleagues a little bit better. Our “5 questions for…” travels around the globe from one colleague to another. Every colleague will answer the same questions.

Tell us about your work environment. What does it look like? 

As a Purchasing Supervisor at Smit in Nanjing, I work from the R&D office located in the local chemical park. I moved to this office together with Jack Fan, and today our team here consists of six energetic members.

Working closely with the R&D team has been a rewarding experience. I studied fine chemistry at university and have always maintained a strong interest in chemicals. Learning from the team’s knowledge, professional attitude, and rigorous way of working has been extremely valuable and supports me greatly in my purchasing role.

What do you do in a day?

I start my working day with a cup of tea, which instantly puts me in a fresh and focused mood. From there, I immerse myself in detailed work, both internal and external, keeping an eye on market changes, handling orders, negotiating with suppliers, and interacting with different departments.

One of the biggest challenges today is keeping up with the rapid development of finishing products, which has made materials management more complex. We are therefore exploring ways to improve efficiency through more advanced systems.

Vinni Zhao

Purchasing Supervisor

What is your favorite leather item, and why?

My favorite leather item is a leather mobile phone bag, which I received in 2022 as a reward for my ten years of work. It’s small but very practical for carrying essentials. Every time I use it, it reminds me of my growth and persistence over the past decade, making it not only a useful accessory but also a meaningful keepsake.

What is your favorite project you have worked on so far? Or, if you have just joined the company: what drew you to working at Royal Smit & Zoon?

The Marco Polo project has been a very successful initiative, launched and driven by René Weltevrede, and I’m glad to have had the opportunity to be part of it. Our leather finishing products grew from an initial idea into a full-scale success, perfectly meeting our customers’ needs.

What sustainable actions are you taking, at work or in your personal life?

In my work as a purchasing supervisor, I prioritize working with sustainable suppliers who follow environmental standards and encourage the use of eco-friendly packaging materials. On a personal level, I also try to reduce unnecessary paperwork by taking meeting notes on my phone. In everyday life, when I go shopping or to the grocery store, I bring a reusable folded bag.

These small but consistent steps help me contribute to environmental protection.

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