Import Export Manager

Job Description:
Import & Export ManagerIndustry: Manufacturing :
Scientific Research Equipment Role Overview The Import & Export Manager is responsible for supporting all global trade operations, ensuring full compliance with international regulations while enabling the efficient movement of scientific research equipment worldwide. This role manages end-to-end import/export administration, governs internal documentation, and ensures alignment with external regulatory requirements. A key aspect of the role is coordinating closely with sales, production, and planning teams to ensure that customer orders are fulfilled efficiently, manufactured on schedule, and exported in full compliance with global trade laws.

Key ResponsibilitiesRegional and Global Trade Operations

• Support end-to-end import and export activities across global markets.
• Coordinate shipping, customs clearance, freight forwarding, and logistics for international deliveries.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and cost-effective delivery of finished goods to customers worldwide.

Sales Order Management & Production Coordination

• Support the full lifecycle of international sales orders, ensuring accuracy and compliance with customer and regulatory requirements.
• Act as the primary interface between sales, production, and planning teams to align order fulfilment with operational capabilities.
• Liaise closely with production and scheduling teams to prioritise manufacturing activities based on export deadlines and customer commitments.
• Support and monitor order progress through production, proactively identifying risks, delays, or bottlenecks and implementing corrective actions.
• Support and coordinate the release and export of finished goods, ensuring all compliance checks, documentation, and quality requirements are met.
• Support and work collaboratively with production planning to optimise inventory availability and meet global demand.
• Align production output with shipping schedules to ensure on-time delivery performance.

Compliance & Regulatory Governance

• Support compliance with all international trade laws, including export controls, dual-use regulations, sanctions, and customs requirements.
• Be initial point of contact for customs authorities, regulatory bodies, and external auditors.
• Monitor and interpret changes in global trade regulations and implement necessary controls.
• Support develop, maintain, and enforce trade compliance policies, procedures, and frameworks.

Documentation & Administration

• Support the preparation and validation of all import/export documentation, including commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, and export licences.
• Ensure accurate classification (HS codes), valuation, and origin determination of all products.
• Maintain complete, auditable records of all international trade transactions.

Internal Controls & Process Improvement

• Support and maintain robust internal controls to ensure compliance across all trade activities.
• Collaborate with internal departments (Sales, Finance, Legal, Engineering, Production, Quality) to ensure alignment and accuracy.
• Drive continuous improvement of systems, processes, and reporting related to global trade operations.

Risk Management

• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks related to international trade, including regulatory, operational, and financial exposure.
• Conduct internal audits and compliance checks to ensure adherence to company policy and legal requirements.
• Manage restricted party screening and due diligence for customers, suppliers, and partners.

Stakeholder Management

• Build and manage relationships with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and third-party logistics providers.
• Engage with regulatory authorities and industry bodies where required.
• Provide expert guidance internally on trade compliance and export processes.

Key RequirementsExperience

• Proven experience in administration of import/export or global logistics management within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience working with technical or scientific products and regulated goods is highly desirable.
• Strong background in international trade compliance and customs processes.

Skills & Competencies

• Knowledge of export control regulations, sanctions, and global trade compliance.
• Strong administrative and documentation management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to coordinate across multiple departments and manage complex workflows.
• Strong organisational, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.

Qualifications

• Degree in International Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, or related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Professional certifications in trade compliance or customs (desirable).

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Full compliance with all applicable import/export regulations.
• Accuracy and completeness of all documentation.
• On-time delivery and export performance.
• Successful audit outcomes (internal and external).
• Efficiency and continuous improvement of trade processes.