Shopify Dropshipping Specialist – Product Research, China Sourcing & Automation

We are an Australian-based e-commerce business looking for an experienced Shopify Dropshipping Specialist to join our team.

We are seeking someone who has a strong understanding of product research, identifying profitable products, sourcing directly from Chinese suppliers and managing Shopify stores.

This is not simply a product uploading or virtual assistant role. We want someone who understands how to find products with genuine sales potential, evaluate competitors, negotiate with suppliers and build an efficient, largely automated dropshipping operation.

The successful candidate should be proactive, commercially minded and capable of working independently with minimal supervision.

Key Responsibilities

1. Product Research & Trend Analysis

Research and identify trending, high-demand and potentially profitable products across different niches.

Analyse products using TikTok, Meta Ad Library, Google Trends, Amazon, AliExpress and other relevant platforms.

Identify emerging product trends before markets become oversaturated.

Research competitor Shopify stores, advertising strategies, pricing and product positioning.

Evaluate product demand, competition, profit margins and market potential.

Present researched products with supporting data, supplier links, costs and recommended selling prices.

Identify products suitable for the Australian market and potential international expansion.

2. Chinese Supplier Sourcing

Find reliable manufacturers, wholesalers and dropshipping suppliers through 1688, Alibaba, AliExpress and other Chinese sourcing platforms.

Communicate directly with suppliers and negotiate competitive product and shipping costs.

Compare multiple suppliers for each shortlisted product.

Assess supplier reliability, product quality, fulfilment times and shipping options.

Source private-label and custom-branded products where suitable.

Arrange product samples and coordinate quality checks where required.

Build long-term relationships with reliable Chinese suppliers and fulfilment agents.

3. Shopify Store Management

Upload and optimise products directly into our Shopify store.

Create professional product titles, descriptions, images, variants and pricing.

Organise product collections and ensure listings are optimised for conversions.

Manage product availability, pricing updates and supplier integrations.

Maintain a professional and consistent store presentation.

Identify opportunities to improve product pages and customer experience.

4. Dropshipping Automation & Fulfilment

Set up and manage Shopify integrations with suitable dropshipping suppliers and fulfilment platforms.

Automate product importing, inventory synchronisation, order forwarding and tracking updates wherever possible.

Experience with DSers, CJdropshipping, AutoDS, Shopify Flow or similar tools is highly regarded.

Monitor order processing, fulfilment issues, shipping delays and supplier performance.

Develop efficient workflows to minimise manual administration.

Identify opportunities to improve automation as the business grows.

5. Commercial Research & Reporting

Prepare regular reports outlining recommended products, supplier costs, shipping fees, potential selling prices and estimated margins.

Monitor competitor pricing and product performance.

Identify opportunities for product bundling, upselling and private labelling.

Recommend products based on research and commercial viability rather than trends alone.

Track product testing results and recommend which products to scale or discontinue.

Essential Requirements

Minimum 3 years' experience in Shopify dropshipping, product research or e-commerce operations.

Proven experience sourcing products directly from Chinese suppliers.

Strong understanding of 1688, Alibaba, AliExpress and Chinese fulfilment networks.

Demonstrated experience identifying and researching profitable products.

Good understanding of Shopify product management and dropshipping integrations.

Experience with product research and competitor analysis tools.

Understanding of product margins, shipping costs and e-commerce profitability.

Excellent written and spoken English.

Strong organisational skills and ability to work independently.

Proactive approach to identifying opportunities and solving problems.

Highly Regarded

Experience working with Australian Shopify businesses.

Existing relationships with Chinese suppliers or fulfilment agents.

Experience with private-label products and custom packaging.

Experience setting up automated Shopify dropshipping stores.

Knowledge of TikTok and Meta advertising research.

Basic understanding of conversion rate optimisation and SEO.

Experience managing multiple Shopify stores.

Career Development

We are looking for someone who wants to grow with the business long-term.

The successful candidate will initially focus on product research, sourcing, Shopify management and automation.

As the business expands, there will be opportunities to progress into an E-Commerce Operations Manager role, with increased responsibilities, salary reviews and potential involvement in managing additional staff.

How to Apply

Please provide:

Your CV and previous Shopify/dropshipping experience.

Examples of Shopify stores you have worked on and your specific responsibilities.

Three products you believe have strong potential in the Australian market, including supplier links, estimated landed costs and recommended selling prices.

Details of your experience sourcing products from 1688, Alibaba or other Chinese suppliers.

Examples of Shopify automation systems you have previously implemented.

Your expected monthly salary in AUD and availability to commence.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview and paid practical assessment.

We are looking for someone who understands e-commerce, takes initiative and can help build a scalable, profitable dropshipping business.