Senior Import & Export Specialist

Your tasks

We are seeking for a compliant and resilient Senior Import & Export Specialist to oversee and optimise the organisation’s international import and export operations, ensuring efficient and cost-effective movement of goods across global markets and aligned with the organization’s broader supply-chain and business objectives.

The incumbent is also expected to identify opportunities to improve processes, reduce logistics and trade-related costs, mitigate operational risks, and strengthen the organisation’s overall international supply-chain performance.

International Trade & Operations

• Oversee end-to-end import and export activities across multiple markets
• Manage international shipments, customs clearance, trade documentation and delivery requirements
• Ensure shipments comply with applicable import/export regulations, customs requirements and company policies
• Coordinate complex or high-value international shipments and resolve operational issues promptly
• Monitor shipment performance, lead times, delays and service levels

Trade Compliance & Risk Management

• Maintain strong knowledge of customs regulations, tariff classifications, Incoterms, duties, taxes, permits and trade-control requirements
• Ensure accurate product classification, customs valuation, country-of-origin determination and trade documentation
• Identify and mitigate potential customs, regulatory, financial and supply-chain risks
• Monitor changes in international trade regulations and assess their potential impact on the business
• Support internal and external customs or compliance audits

Supply Chain & Cost Optimizations

• Analyze international freight, customs, duties, and logistics costs to identify savings opportunities
• Work with freight forwarders and logistics partners to negotiate service levels and commercial terms
• Evaluate shipping routes, modes of transportation and consolidation opportunities
• Develop initiatives to improve delivery performance, reduce costs and increase supply-chain efficiency

Stakeholder & Partner Management

• Serve as a senior point of contact for international suppliers, customers, freight forwarders, customs brokers and logistics providers
• Collaborate with Procurement, Sales, Finance, Warehouse, Operations and Supply Chain teams
• Resolve escalated import/export issues and coordinate corrective actions
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key logistics and trade partners

Process Improvement & Governance

• Develop, review, and improve import/export procedures, policies and standard operating processes
• Implement controls to improve documentation accuracy, compliance and operational efficiency
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators for international trade activities
• Lead process-improvement projects involving logistics, customs, systems and supply-chain operations
• Identify opportunities for automation and digitalization of trade processes

Leadership & Strategic Support

• Provide guidance and technical expertise to junior import/export personnel
• Lead or participate in cross-functional projects involving international trade and logistics
• Provide management with reports, analysis and recommendations relating to trade performance, costs, risks, and compliance
• Support business expansion into new countries and markets by assessing import/export requirements and operational considerations

Requirements

Job Requirements

• Degree in Logistics or its equivalent
• Minimum 10 years of relevant import/export, international trade, logistics, or supply-chain experience
• Possess knowledge/experience in Logistic Compliance such as Strategic Goods Control (SGCA), HS Code and Dangerous Goods (IATA DGR) to collaborate with worldwide logistics compliance team
• Strong knowledge of customs procedures, international trade regulations, Incoterms, freight operations and trade documentation
• Experience in process improvement, cost optimization and trade/compliance systems will be advantageous
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, negotiation and stakeholder-management skills
• Experience in collaborating with different stakeholders like customers, freight forwarders and customs brokers
• Good command of the Japanese language (JLPT N1 level) will be advantageous to liaise closely with Japan headquarter and factories
• Experience in Oracle or SAP system will be advantageous