Chinese-English Translator (Factory-based)
Sun Jun Bo Furniture ProductionAbout This Role
This is a plant-floor communication role, not a desk translation job. You would be the daily language bridge between Chinese managers and Ethiopian workers, suppliers, and government officials at a furniture factory in Menagesha — meaning your Chinese needs to work in real time, under noise and pressure, not just on paper. The company is a foreign-invested manufacturer, so you would also be navigating the cultural gap between Chinese management styles and local workplace expectations.
What the Requirements Say About This Role
The "fresh graduate" label is misleading — what they actually need is someone whose spoken Chinese holds up in live, technical conversations about production and safety. The preference for factory or construction exposure signals they want someone who won't be shocked by industrial conditions, shift schedules, or the informal way instructions get passed down on a shop floor. Expect them to test your interpretation ability in person rather than weigh your academic record.
How to Approach This Application
Your CV should lead with demonstrable Chinese fluency — HSK level, any study or work time in China, and concrete interpreting or translation experience, even volunteer or informal. Address the location directly and positively in your cover note; the capitalized warning in the listing suggests they lose candidates once they realize it's Menagesha, so showing you've already thought through the commute sets you apart. If you have any exposure to manufacturing, construction, or technical vocabulary, name it explicitly.
Who This Role Suits
Best suited to a Chinese-speaking graduate who is comfortable in an industrial setting and sees factory-floor experience as a stepping stone into international business or management. Competition is likely modest — the language barrier and location filter out most applicants — but only genuinely fluent candidates will get through.
About the Role
We are a furniture manufacturing factory based in Menagesha, Oromia, looking for a Chinese-English Translator, PLEASE NOTE THE LOCATION. The role acts as a communication bridge between the Chinese management team, local staff, suppliers, and government offices. Responsibilities include daily interpretation, document translation, and administrative coordination. Candidates with experience in manufacturing, construction, or factory environments are highly preferred.
Key Responsibilities
- On-site Interpretation (Core): Provide live interpretation between the Chinese factory manager/technical supervisors and local workers (Chinese ↔ English/Amharic), accurately conveying production instructions, technical requirements, and safety regulations.
- Meetings & Communication: Assist the Chinese management team in meetings and business negotiations with local department heads, external suppliers, and government authorities.
- Document Translation: Translate internal factory policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), procurement contracts, and financial/administrative documents (Chinese ↔ English).
- Administrative Support: Assist Chinese expatriates with local administrative affairs (e.g., work permits, visa extensions, lease agreement coordination).
- Cross-functional Coordination: Facilitate information flow among procurement, production, sales, and finance departments to ensure accurate execution of management directives.
Requirements
- Nationality & Language: Ethiopian national, fluent in Chinese (Mandarin) and English (working proficiency); fluent in Amharic (Afaan Oromoo is a plus).
- Education: Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Translation, English, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Experience: 1+ year of translation experience in manufacturing, factory, or construction industries is highly preferred (Outstanding fresh graduates with excellent Chinese will also be considered). Familiarity with furniture manufacturing, board materials, and hardware terminology is a plus.
- Personal Attributes: Hardworking, able to adapt to a factory environment; strong communication, adaptability, and cross-cultural coordination skills; honest, reliable, and discreet with confidential information.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary (negotiable, depending on Chinese proficiency and experience).
- Hands-on experience in Sino-African enterprise management and cross-cultural communication.
- Good career growth opportunities.
How To Apply
Please send your CV (in Chinese or English) to johnxu@originwin.com.cn with the subject line: "Application for Translator - [Your Name]". (The interview will include a spoken Chinese test).
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