Animal Export Specialist _Job @Kerchanshe Group, Ethiopia

Job Summary:

– The Export Specialist is responsible for coordinating, managing, and overseeing all aspects of the export process to ensure the efficient, compliant, and timely delivery of goods to international destinations. The role involves managing export documentation, coordinating with customers, suppliers, freight forwarders, customs authorities, and other logistics partners, and ensuring compliance with applicable international trade laws, customs regulations, and company procedures.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Export Operations and Logistics Management

• Coordinate and manage the end-to-end export process, including shipment planning, freight forwarding, transportation, and delivery.
• Arrange and monitor freight bookings, shipment schedules, cargo collection, and dispatch activities.
• Liaise with shipping lines, airlines, transport providers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and other logistics partners to ensure smooth operations.
• Monitor shipment progress and proactively address delays, operational challenges, and delivery issues.
• Ensure that goods are properly prepared, packaged, labeled, and ready for export in accordance with applicable requirements.

Export Documentation and Customs Compliance

• Prepare, review, and maintain accurate export documentation, including commercial invoices, packing lists, shipping instructions, certificates of origin, and other required trade documents.
• Ensure the accuracy and completeness of customs declarations and supporting documentation.
• Verify that all export activities comply with applicable national and international trade laws, customs regulations, licensing requirements, and company policies.
• Coordinate with relevant customs authorities and regulatory agencies to facilitate timely customs clearance.
• Stay informed of changes in export regulations, customs procedures, and international trade requirements, and implement necessary updates to operational processes.

Stakeholder and Customer Coordination

• Maintain effective communication with customers, suppliers, internal departments, and logistics service providers throughout the export process.
• Provide timely shipment updates, delivery information, and relevant documentation to customers and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate with internal teams, including sales, finance, warehouse, procurement, and operations, to ensure export orders are processed efficiently.
• Respond to customer inquiries and resolve shipment-related concerns in a professional and timely manner.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with logistics partners and other relevant stakeholders.

Record-Keeping and Reporting

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of export shipments, customs declarations, shipping documents, freight costs, and delivery confirmations.
• Ensure proper filing and secure retention of export documentation in accordance with company policies and applicable legal requirements.
• Prepare regular reports on shipment status, export activities, delivery performance, and operational challenges.
• Track shipment milestones and maintain reliable records for auditing, compliance reviews, and management reporting.

Cost Control and Operational Efficiency

• Monitor freight charges, customs-related costs, transportation expenses, and other export-related costs.
• Review shipping quotations and coordinate with service providers to identify cost-effective transportation solutions.
• Support budget control and cost optimization while maintaining service quality and delivery timelines.
• Identify opportunities to improve export procedures, reduce operational delays, and enhance overall logistics efficiency.

Risk Management and Problem Resolution

• Identify and address potential risks associated with export documentation, customs clearance, transportation, and international shipments.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies, missing documents, shipment delays, cargo damage, and other export-related issues.
• Escalate significant operational or compliance risks to the appropriate management personnel.
• Recommend corrective and preventive actions to minimize recurring problems and improve service delivery.

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in logistics planning, shipment forecasting, and coordination of export schedules.
• Support the development and implementation of standard operating procedures for export activities.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, company policies, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor or management

Qualification and Skills

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree /Masters in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, International Trade, Business Administration, Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science, Animal Production, Animal Husbandry, Livestock Management, or a related field is preferred.
• Additional training or certification in livestock export, international trade, or export documentation is an advantage

Experience: 

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in livestock export, animal trading, livestock management, or international trade operations.
• Experience in export documentation, veterinary certification, and animal health requirements is an advantage.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Knowledge of livestock export procedures and international trade regulations.
• Understanding of animal health, welfare, quarantine, and veterinary inspection requirements.
• Knowledge of export documentation, permits, certificates, and customs clearance procedures.
• Strong coordination and communication skills.
• Good negotiation, planning, and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications, particularly Excel and Word.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet export deadlines.
• Good report-writing and record-keeping skills.