Manager, Import (Foreign Procurement)

Background of the company

• Kerchanshe Group is the largest producer and exporter of coffee in Ethiopia, and engage in manufacturing, agro-processing and export business. It has a proud history of providing quality coffees to the local and international markets. Currently Kerchanshe Group needs a dedicated and motivated candidate.

Job Purpose

• To lead and manage international/foreign sourcing and procurement of supplies and goods by working with vendors, suppliers, and other parties to ensure smooth flow of shipments and on time arrival with the minimum possible cost under the framework of international & local regulation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Generic Duties:

• Plans, leads, organizes, staffs & controls departments overall activities,
• Designs and implements procedures, systems, and tools to maximize departmental operating efficiency,
• Assesses risks by following industry trends to ensure profitability, company survival and provide solutions,
• Coaches, mentors, and develops employees through periodic performance evaluations and ongoing performance dialogue and feedback,
• Ensures adherence to company policies and procedures and undertake disciplinary actions if the need arises.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Leads and manages all import activities and process end to end.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable laws and regulations related to imports.
• Develops and maintains relationships with Banks, governmental organizations, customs authorities, shipping lines and other relevant organizations.
• Frequently reviews and manages orders that has been placed with the foreign supplier to be able to get the shipment as planned.
• Closely follow up of all outstanding items such as opened LC, CAD, Advance payments etc. and ensures all orders have arrived on time.
• Follow up of expired contract and maintain negotiation to extend or recovery of resource if any.
• Follows up cases with internal and external organs that needs further discussion, explanation or any higher level efforts.
• Timely resolving issues that has potential risk for the company and reporting which is beyond his/her scope.
• Ensure timely handover of documents to transit team and maintain communication with them for timely clearance of imported item from port.
• Coordinates with Marketing and/or other Departments to identify new markets and business opportunities, find new potential clients and turn them in to users of companys product.
• Manages the preparation and organization of all import related documents.
• Provide required information to all department and coordinate with them to discharge all import related duties for the benefit of the company.
• Handles import related communication with internal and external organs.
• Oversees the settlement of payments to suppliers by Banks, freight, transport, insurance, taxes & duties, and clearing services.
• Manages import routines through import follow up system and updates import status to the concerned bodies on time.
• Liaises with freight forwarders and other third parties to ensure timely and accurate import processes and paperwork.
• Performs other duties assigned by the immediate supervisor
• Manages the import claims for all the short landed & damages or over shipped materials with the insurance company & supplier. Oversees import files in supporting data are readily and easily accessible way.
• Coaches, Coordinates and facilitates development of the skills of the team and promotes Knowledge building & knowledge sharing
• Update the team with new rules and regulation related with import business

Qualification and Skills

• BA or MA Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Business Management, Management, or related fields.

Experience

• 10 years for BA
• 8 years for MA

Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Interpersonal and negotiation skills with a proven ability to create and maintain positive working relationships with vendors, suppliers, shippers, and customers.
• Supervisory and leadership skills.
• Familiarity with international trade regulations.
• Understanding of e-business / e-procurement systems
• Computer literacy, proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Publisher amongst others.
• Excellent planning and scheduling skills.
• Time management skills.
• Ability to make decisions on the go in liaison with the relevant stakeholders