Export Sales Specialist

HATKO

International Sales Specialist

Introduction:

Export sales managers sell products or services to overseas customers. They research potential markets, conduct personal selling, visits, organize sales, promotions, appoint agent and distributors and negotiate sales contracts. Also arrange the transport of goods and the collection of payments. Hours are often long and unsocial. Work Activities As an Export Sales Manager, you will be responsible for managing the sale of products or services to customers in other countries. You’ll need to develop knowledge of the cultural, business and political background of the countries you are responsible for, together with an understanding of consumer tastes. Then you can combine this with the results of your market research to decide what will sell in these countries and how to sell it. You must also look for new opportunities to sell to different international markets. It is important that, as an Export Sales Manager, you build up and maintain good relationships with customers, agents and distributors. To do this, you'll negotiate with them (often in a foreign language) to try to make a sale. Depending on the level of your responsibility, you will often travel internationally, and could sometimes spend weeks away from home. You might have to decide whether the product can be modified to meet the customer's requirements or whether special discounts can be offered. This is usually done after consultation with sales director. You'll also have to consider, and comply with, legal and ethical restrictions on international trading - you'll need to do your homework first! As an Export Sales Manager, you will also need to provide quotations (estimates of price); for larger orders, and you might need to complete a tender document (a competitive bid for the supply of goods or services) - and agree a final contract if the bid is successful. Your role will be very varied! You must carefully monitor the processing of orders and check that the distribution is running smoothly and that everything is on schedule. When the product has finally been delivered, you might have to deal with any complaints or queries that occur. Other duties involve producing marketing plans, budgets and sales reports for discussion by company management. You'll also organise sales briefings and conferences, and visit international trade fairs. Export Sales Managers are usually responsible for a department of other support staff. 

Personal Qualities and Skills 

• Negotiating skills
• Verbal communication skills 
• Written communication skills.
• Good interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of international contract terms, foreign currencies, tariffs and trading regulations •
• Experience in business, sales, marketing and shipping
• Verbal communication skills
• Foreign language skills
• The ability to work to deadlines •
• Knowledge of economics, business and accounting •
• The ability to use IT
• Delegating and leadership skills
• To be well organized
• Stamina to cope with international travel
• Number skills (for managing budgets and analyzing sales figures, for example) 

Hours of work 

Export Sales Managers usually work a basic 45-hour week, Monday to Friday. However, you might sometimes need to work long hours, including evenings and weekends, as the job demands. 

Education

• Education: Bachelor’s degree from a reputable university in BA/ Economics / Engineering/ Int Law / Int. Trade 
• Education level : Bachelor’s (Graduate), Master’s ( Student/ Graduate) , Doctorate (Student/ Graduate)

• Excellent command of written and spoken English 

(as 2nd language French / Spanish/ Italian/ Russian preference)

• No military service obligation for male candidates
• Good knowledge of MS Office applications and ERP systems.
• Driving license