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 organizations 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.
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 KPIs for bi-weekly review (internally and externally)
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum Matric NQF4 or equivalent
- Post Matric Degree level qualification in a related field
- 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
- o Microsoft Office Package
- o Vessel Booking Platform(s)
- o SARS
- 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.
- 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 KPIs.
- 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.
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 opportunity to develop personally and within a team.
Rubicon Group is dedicated to advancing transformative technologies in emerging markets.
Our focus areas are sustainable technology, encompassing renewable energy and storage, e-mobility, intelligent lighting, and building management as well as industrial technology, comprising advanced factory automation, connectivity, and robotics.
Rubicon Groups head office is in Cape Town, South Africa, and the group operates across South Africa and in select African and European markets, employing nearly 500 staff. For more information visit www.rubiconsa.com.
