imports and exports administrator/manager - typical job description duties

The import/export manager or administrator job is potentially a vast one covering a wide range of responsibilities. Also, import/export manager/administrator job descriptions vary considerably according to country, local import/export laws and procedures, and the role required within the organization, in which the role can have emphasis on any or all of the following aspects: sales, purchasing and buying, finance, legal, administration. There are far too many duties here for a single job description; pick the duties from the examples below to create a job description that suits your own situation.

1. Manage the movement of products/equipment/materials in and/or out of the country in accordance with organizational policy and procedure, and to comply with relevant local, country and international law and process.
2. Manage the necessary documentation and online forms for the efficient, cost-effective and lawful execution of all import/export activities.
3. Maintain and share with colleagues as appropriate, personal knowledge of all relevant import/export law and procedures; tariffs and duties; licences and restrictions.
4. Manage financial and currency processes and transactions in accordance with policy and law, and to optimise cost-effectiveness of activities.
5. Communicate with export and import and related authorities, and customers and suppliers, in all relevant territories and countries, as necessary to ensure efficient, positive and lawful relations, support and activities.
6. Anticipate, research and report on future changes in import/export laws and in relevant local territory practices, and ensure such knowledge is factored into the planning of the department's own strategy, resources and procedures.
7. Plan and implement import/export strategy and activities consistent with overall aims and requirements of the organization.
8. Manage all staff reporting to the position so as to effectively recruit, train, evaluate, motivate, delegate and monitor their activities.
9. Liaise with other departments in order to establish and maintain effective and relevant export/import activities and support in relation to the organization's sales, purchasing, materials management, production and overall operating functions.
10. Adhere to local and externally relevant health and safety laws and policies.
11. Use personal judgement and initiative to develop effective and constructive solutions to challenges and obstacles in import/export activity and procedures.
12. Monitor, record, analyse and report on activities, trends, results and recommendations relating to import/export activities.
13. Manage/liaise with stock control, warehousing and distribution activities influenced by or reliant upon import/export activities.
14. Manage and maintain effective and lawful insurance provisions relating to import/export activities.
15. Maintain personal ability in, and appropriate use of, all relevant ICT (Information & Communications Technology) and other systems within the import/export function.
16. Prepare and submit relevant administration in a timely and accurate manner, for example: shipping schedules; letters of credit; ECGD documents; credit control mechanisms; licences; declarations; packing, routing, transport and safety documentation.
17. Investigate, plan and implement strategically effective and relevant transport methods, which meet optimally the needs of the organization and its suppliers and customers.
18. Plan and manage overseas sales through distributors and other relevant sales outlets.
19. Plan and manage the effective and necessary conversion of weights, sizes, values, and quality standards interpretations between importing and exporting systems and territories.
20. Manage language and communications translation issues and activities as necessary to enable effective relations, distribution and integration of imported/exported material, product, equipment within the supply chain of importer and exporter, (for example handling instructions, operating manuals, product training, etc).
21. Negotiate contracts for sales/purchases and manage renew, review contracts as required to enable effective trading, operations and customer/supplier relations.