In a strategic move to bolster its presence in the United States, Temu, a rising star in the e-commerce industry, is actively recruiting talent from established giants like Amazon and Walmart. This initiative aims to attract more US sellers to its platform as the company anticipates shifts in shipping regulations.
The Chinese e-commerce company is aggressively hiring business development managers, whose roles include onboarding new brands and manufacturers and assisting them in crafting effective selling strategies. According to LinkedIn job postings, these managers are responsible for pitching the benefits of selling on Temu and supporting vendors in product planning and marketing efforts once they join the platform.
In recent months, Temu has successfully brought on board numerous professionals with experience from major e-commerce platforms. Business Insider’s LinkedIn profile analysis reveals that at least a dozen new hires previously worked at Amazon. Additionally, Temu has recruited personnel from Walmart’s third-party online marketplace and TikTok’s rapidly expanding e-commerce service, Shop.
“We have been expanding our team to help bring more US sellers onto the platform, giving them more choice and a low-cost way to grow their businesses,” a Temu spokesperson stated. “To support this, we have hired experienced people to help expand opportunities for local sellers and strengthen local sales.”
Temu’s business development managers are also making their presence felt at e-commerce conferences, such as the Prosper Show, which attracts numerous Amazon sellers. During these events, they highlight Temu’s rapid growth and extensive product offerings in their pitches to potential vendors.
Temu’s Strategic Expansion in the US
Initially, Temu operated on a managed marketplace model, where manufacturers consolidated their inventory in Chinese warehouses for cross-border shipping to consumers. However, in March 2024, Temu officially opened its marketplace to US sellers, allowing those with US-based warehouses to manage their own logistics and fulfillment.
This shift helps Temu mitigate potential changes to the de minimis provision, a US customs law that permits duty-free shipments valued under $800. While beneficial for companies like Temu and Shein, critics argue it negatively impacts American manufacturers and facilitates the import of illicit goods.
The Trump administration has indicated plans to repeal de minimis once customs officials establish a new duty collection process.
Rick Watson, CEO and founder of RMW Commerce Consulting, emphasized the importance of Temu’s US market. He noted, “It takes experience to understand how and where to recruit sellers, so it’s very common for these types to go from one company to another.”
Beyond the US, Temu is expanding its team of business development managers in Europe, Canada, and the UK.
Temu’s parent company, PDD Holdings, which also operates Pinduoduo in China, recently reported a 24% revenue increase for the fourth quarter of 2024. During an earnings call, co-CEO Lei Chen alluded to “changes in the external environment” that could challenge their global operations, while expressing an intent to “explore new business models” and “experiment with innovative localized supply chain solutions.”
