Imports/exports Manager

**About the Imports/Exports Manager role**

We are looking for a qualified and experienced Imports/Exports Manager to be based at our **Richmond Park, Cape Town** offices.

The purpose of this role is to plan and implement Import/Export strategies and activities consistent with overall business requirements of the organization.

**DIRECT REPORTS: 2** direct reports

**REPORTING LINE**:Group Head of Supply Chain

**LOCATION**:Cape Town

**Role responsibilities**:
**Primary Role Focus**:

- Negotiate and manage operations for all import/export business to enable effective trading, operations, and customer relations.
- Manage the financial process (booking in of stock / freight cost recovery) through delivery of the global sales and revenue plan, whilst optimizing cost-effectiveness of activities.
- Constantly review and negotiate better incoterms as part of overall cost savings initiative, being able to model incoterms impact on product costing.
- Liaise with other departments to establish and maintain effective import/ export activities and support in relation to the organization's product needs, sales, warehouse and distribution and overall operating functions.
- Anticipate, research and report on future changes in import/export laws and activities in relevant territories, and ensure such knowledge is factored into planning of the Import/Export operations, resources, and procedures.
- Develop and establish relevant import/export systems & standard operating procedures for effective import/export order processing.
- Plan and coordinate all international shipment of goods, receiving product into warehouses and sharing of vessel / loading plan with internal stakeholders.
- Manage all staff reporting to the position to effectively recruit, train, evaluate, motivate, delegate, and monitor their activities.

**Teamwork & Collaboration**:
Work closely with Supply Chain and Sales
- Collaborate on ensuring all shipments/containers are planned in time (RDD) and deliveries are achieved (ADD)
- Ensuring all optimal cost, quality and lead time drivers are considered daily.
- Investigate price discrepancy and lead time variations.
- Understanding total value chain in terms of customer service excellence and positive cash flow cycles.
- Meet regularly to review S&OP plan.
- Document all KPI's for bi-weekly review (internally and externally)

**_Knowledge, Skills and Experience:_**

**EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS**
- Minimum Matric NQF4 or equivalent
- Post Matric Degree level qualification in a related field

**EXPERIENCE**
- Minimum 8-10 years' import/export work experience.
- 3-5 years working experience building a trade operations structure.
- Superior knowledge in working with freight forwarders.
- Minimum 5 years experience managing and developing teams.
- Experience in one or more of the following:

- o NetSuite
- Microsoft Office Package
- Vessel Booking Platform(s)
- SARS

**KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS**
- Exceptional written and verbal communications skills, sourcing skills, stakeholder management skills, negotiation skills, project management skills, organizational skills, contract management skill and the ability to adapt to suit different audiences.
- Solid knowledge in working with Forex as well as hedging mechanisms.

**PERSONAL COMPETENCIES**
- Computer literacy - highly Computer literate and comfortable with basic technical aspects of common operating systems with Microsoft Office general excellence
- Competent Professional business written and verbal communications skills. The ability to express yourself clearly and effectively within the company.
- An ability to provide excellent customer service - Serviced focus by responding to customers' needs by doing it right the first time.
- Excellent time management, organizational, and follow-through skills. Disciplined Approach by being Punctual, Strong Attendance Record, getting back to customers, suppliers and internal staff and returning calls.
- Confident and change orientated, comfortable within a matrix management structure.
- Ability to work under pressure and deliver according to agreed timescales and KPI's.
- Good relationship building skills
- Experience in the renewables industry preferable.
- Attention to detail while maintaining the ability to see the implications for the bigger picture
- An ability to respond quickly and accurately to requests
- A creative outlook with a problem-solving attitude.
- Self-motivated - Meet and exceed all that is required of you in your job.

**About Rubicon Group**:
Rubicon Group is a young, dynamic, and high-growth company operating in exciting markets. We are looking for smart, hard-working people with integrity to join us. One of our goals is to continually improve our business, and to that end, we are seeking people who enjoy a challenge, are keen to learn, take ownership, think critically, and provide new solutions on where we can improve. We offer a great work environment, market-related remuneration packages, and an