Import & Export Manager

redfordrecruiters; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 279,000 - 446,000; Full time

Job summary

Redford Recruiters is seeking an experienced Import & Export Manager to oversee end-to-end international trade operations, including documentation, customs clearance, freight coordination, and regulatory compliance. You will lead cross-functional teams and coordinate with suppliers and logistics partners to ensure on-time shipment.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree in Logistics or International Business and proven experience in import/export, freight forwarding, and supply chain

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, International Business or similar field.
• Proven experience in Import & Export and international trade operations.
• Strong knowledge of Incoterms 2020 and customs procedures.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end import/export operations including air, sea and land shipments.
• Prepare and verify shipping, billing and customs documentation.
• Coordinate with freight forwarders, carriers, brokers, suppliers and customers.
• Ensure timely customs clearance and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Negotiate freight rates and service levels with logistics providers.
• Maintain accurate shipment records and cost controls.
• Lead and develop the import/export or logistics team where applicable.

Skills

Import & Export

Incoterms knowledge

Freight negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Logistics or related

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Freight forwarding software

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Import amp Export Manager to manage and coordinate end-to-end international trade operations The successful candidate will be responsible for import export documentation customs clearance freight coordination regulatory compliance supplier and logistics partner management and ensuring shipments are completed accurately efficiently and on schedule

Key Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end import and export operations including air sea and land shipments
• Prepare review and verify shipping and customs documentation
• Coordinate with freight forwarders shipping lines airlines customs brokers suppliers and customers
• Manage customs clearance processes and ensure timely release of shipments
• Ensure compliance with applicable customs trade and regulatory requirements
• Review commercial invoices packing lists certificates of origin Bills of Lading Air Waybills and other shipping documents
• Apply and correctly interpret Incoterms for international transactions
• Monitor shipment schedules and proactively resolve delays documentation issues or clearance problems
• Negotiate freight rates and service agreements with logistics providers
• Monitor freight customs transportation and related logistics costs
• Maintain accurate import expom lgtrt records and shipment documentation
• Coordinate with procurement finance warehouse sales and operations teams
• Manage duty tax and other applicable shipment-related requirements
• Evaluate freight forwarders and logistics service providers based on cost reliability and performance
• Prepare regular reports on shipments costs delays clearance status and logistics performance
• Identify opportunities to reduce logistics costs and improve lead times
• Maintain strong controls to prevent penalties demurrage detention documentation errors and unnecessary storage charges
• Lead and support the import export or logistics team where applicable

Bachelor s Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, International Business, Business Administration , or a related discipline preferred.

Proven experience in Import & Export, International Logistics, Freight Forwarding, or Supply Chain Operations .

Previous experience at managerial or senior supervisory level preferred.

Strong knowledge of customs clearance and international trade procedures .

Excellent understanding of Incoterms 2020 .

Strong knowledge of sea freight, air freight, and land transportation.

Practical experience handling shipping documentation.

Experience coordinating with customs brokers, freight forwarders, shipping lines, and government/regulatory authorities.

Strong freight negotiation and cost-control skills.

Good knowledge of shipment tracking and logistics reporting.

Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder-management skills.

Strong attention to detail and documentation accuracy.

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and relevant ERP/logistics systems is preferred.

CANDIDATE ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS

Import & Export Experience

How many years of direct import and export experience do you have? Which countries or international markets have you handled?

Shipment Management

Explain the complete process you follow for an international shipment from receiving the purchase/order details until final customs clearance and delivery.

Incoterms

What is the difference between EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP, and DAP ? Give an example of when you would recommend each.

Documentation

Which documents do you normally review before an international shipment is dispatched? What are the most common documentation errors you have encountered?

Customs Clearance

Describe a difficult customs-clearance issue you personally handled. What caused the problem, and how did you resolve it?

Freight Management

What experience do you have managing air, sea, and land freight ? Which mode do you consider most challenging and why?

Freight Negotiation

How do you compare and negotiate quotations from freight forwarders or shipping lines while ensuring service quality is not compromised?

Cost Control

Give an example of how you reduced freight, customs, demurrage, detention, storage, or other logistics costs.

Shipment Delays Scenario Question

An urgent shipment is delayed at the port because the commercial invoice does not match the customs declaration. What actions would you take immediately?

Compliance Scenario Question

A supplier asks you to declare a lower shipment value to reduce customs duty. How would you handle the request?

Operational Planning

How do you monitor multiple international shipments simultaneously and ensure management receives accurate status updates?

Performance Management

Which KPIs would you use to measure the performance of an import/export department and its logistics providers?

Systems Knowledge

Which ERP, customs, freight, shipment-tracking, or logistics systems have you used? How advanced are your Microsoft Excel skills?

Leadership

How do you manage an underperforming team member who repeatedly makes errors in shipping documentation?