Export manager: what he does, salary and skills required

Theexport manager is the professional who is responsible for analyzing foreign markets, and planning a strategy for marketing goods and services. He can then work at production and distribution companies, helping them identify opportunities in foreign markets.

Knowing the foreign market in which the company wants to invest, the export manager not only contributes to theexport of existing products, but can also support the company in creating customized proposals for local consumers.

Export manager, what he does

Export managers have a wide range of responsibilities, which may include:

• The management of relationships with international customers, suppliers and business partners;
• The negotiation of contracts with new suppliers and customers, as well as the termination of contracts with existing customers and suppliers;
• coordination of shipments to ensure that they arrive on time and without damage;
• managing relationships with carriers and other service providers to ensure that operations run smoothly;
• The development and implementation of plans to increase market share through Brand Awareness, new product development, and advertising;
• inventory management of goods stored in storage facilities, including monitoring stock levels and ordering new stock when necessary;
• The preparation of financial reports on sales activities, costs, and profit margins for international markets;
• Cooperation with other departments of the company regarding the fairness of international business operations.

What to study to be an export manager

To become an export manager, it is advisable to take a degree course in Economics and Management, Economics and Marketing, International Law or Political Science. In fact, the profession requires a certain multidisciplinary nature, as it includes under it the characteristics and skills of different jobs.

In addition to possessing an appropriate educational qualification, the Export Manager should distinguish himself or herself by certain Soft Skills, such as:

• communication skills, essential for communicating with suppliers, customers and colleagues, customs officials and other government agencies. Effective communication helps solve problems and makes the export process more efficient;
• analytical skills, which are very useful for making informed decisions about sales, production, and distribution of products or services, but also for reviewing financial, sales, and production data so as to decide which products to export to which markets;
• problem-solving: problem-solving skills help find solutions to challenges that arise during the export process;
• marketing skills, necessary to develop a strategy for selling products in other countries, creating advertisements, developing a coordinated image, and devising a marketing plan to attract customers;
• decision-making skills: the export manager makes many decisions during the day, from the suppliers to work with to the products to sell and how to handle customer care. Making the right decisions helps grow a business and increase its profits.

The salary of an export area manager, in Italy, is about €45,000 annually. Entry-level positions earn around €37,500, up to €60,000 for senior professionals.

The future of the export manager

In today’s job market, the figure of the export manager is set to grow.

As companies open up to globalization, they realize the importance of setting up a solid supply chain management system. Only then can products be delivered on time and without errors. This trend is creating opportunities for export managers.

Another industry trend is related to sustainability: export managers need to become familiar with systems aimed at reducing pollution, and find ways to source materials locally. To remain competitive, they must be able to identify opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of the company they work for while still meeting customer demands.

Finally, it is necessary for an export manager to keep up with technology and use it to his or her advantage. For example, employing special software to track shipments, communicate with customers, and manage inventory.

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