Export Marketing/ Sales Manager – Tea Export Business
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Job summary
The successful candidate will be responsible for leading and establishing a commercially viable and compliant tea export business, from tea sourcing and buyer development through to export documentation, logistics, shipping and delivery to international customers.
Min Qualification:
Bachelors
Experience Level:
Mid level
Experience Length:
5 years
Language Requirement:
English
Working Hours:
Full Time - 8 to 5
Applicant Location:
Kenya
Job descriptions & requirements
1. POSITION PURPOSE
An organisation is establishing a tea export business and is seeking an experienced Export Marketing Manager – Tea Export Business.
The successful candidate will be responsible for leading and establishing a commercially viable and compliant tea export business, from tea sourcing and buyer development through to export documentation, logistics, shipping and delivery to international customers.
The role requires an individual with demonstrable experience in the tea export industry, or a closely related agricultural export business, strong knowledge of the Kenyan tea sector, international export markets, logistics and freight processes, and an established network of relevant industry contacts.
The successful candidate should be able to operate effectively across the entire export value chain and provide practical guidance in setting up the business.
2. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Commercial Strategy & Business Development
I. Develop and implement the tea export commercial strategy in line with the Company's business plan.
II. Identify and develop relationships with international tea buyers, importers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers and other institutional customers.
III. Identify suitable export markets and assess market attractiveness, buyer requirements, pricing, competition and market-entry considerations.
IV. Develop and maintain a robust international buyer pipeline.
V. Negotiate commercial terms, pricing, volumes, payment terms and other contractual conditions with prospective customers.
VI. Convert qualified prospects into LOIs, purchase orders, contracts and recurring business.
VII. Develop strategic relationships with tea brokers, agents, distributors and other commercial partners in target markets.
VIII. Provide Directors with regular reports on sales pipeline, market developments, customer activity and revenue opportunities.
B. Tea Sourcing & Product Development
I. Support Directors in developing a reliable and commercially viable tea sourcing strategy.
II. Identify suitable tea suppliers and sources based on quality, price, consistency and availability.
III. Liaise with tea brokers, producers, factories, auction participants and other relevant stakeholders.
IV. Advise Directors on tea grades, quality specifications, blending requirements, packaging and customer-specific requirements.
V. Coordinate with tea tasters and other technical personnel to ensure that tea supplied meets customer specifications.
VI. Monitor tea pricing and market trends to support competitive export pricing.
C. Export Compliance & Regulatory Requirements
The successful candidate will be expected to have practical knowledge of Kenyan tea export regulatory requirements and the ability to guide the Company through the applicable compliance processes.
Responsibilities will include:
I. Ensure the Company's tea export activities comply with applicable Kenyan laws, regulations and industry requirements.
II. Maintain a working relationship with the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) and remain conversant with applicable licensing, registration and regulatory requirements.
III. Maintain appropriate relationships within the tea industry, including relevant stakeholders and industry associations such as the East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA).
IV. Keep Directors informed of changes in tea export regulations, licensing requirements, standards and international market requirements.
V. Coordinate preparation and review of export documentation and ensure that required documentation is complete and accurate.
VI. Ensure compliance with applicable requirements relating to tea quality, packaging, labelling, traceability, customs and export procedures.
VII. Liaise with relevant Government agencies and regulatory bodies as required.
VIII. Ensure that customer and destination-country requirements are understood and incorporated into the export process.
IX. Identify and advise Directors on potential regulatory or compliance risks.
D. Logistics, Freight & Port Operations
I. Have existing relationships with reputable clearing and forwarding companies, freight forwarders, shipping lines, transporters, warehousing providers and other logistics service providers.
II. Identify and negotiate competitive logistics and freight rates.
III. Coordinate the movement of tea from source to warehouse, port and ultimately to the international customer.
IV. Develop an efficient export logistics process covering:
● Inland transportation
● Warehousing
● Clearing and forwarding
● Port handling
● Shipping
● Customs clearance; and
● Delivery to the destination market.
V. Liaise with the relevant stakeholders at the Port of Mombasa and ensure timely movement of export consignments.
VI. Monitor shipping schedules, documentation, cut-off dates, and other critical logistics milestones.
VII. Identify opportunities to reduce freight, storage, handling and other export-related costs without compromising service delivery.
VIII. Develop contingency arrangements for potential logistics disruptions.
E. Export Documentation
The Export Marketing Manager will oversee the commercial side of the export transaction from customer order through shipment.
This will include coordination of:
● Sales contracts
● Purchase orders
● Commercial invoices
● Packing lists
● Certificates of origin
● Phytosanitary and other applicable certificates
● Customs documentation
● Shipping instructions
● Bills of lading
● Insurance documentation
● Quality certificates; and
● Other documents required by the destination country or customer.
The Manager will work closely with Finance, logistics providers, brokers and other service providers to ensure that transactions are completed accurately and within agreed timelines.
3. INDUSTRY RELATIONSHIPS & NETWORK
The successful candidate should bring an established and relevant industry network and should be capable of opening doors for the Company.
The candidate should ideally have working relationships or demonstrable access to relevant contacts within:
● Tea Board of Kenya
● East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA)
● Tea brokers and tea auction participants
● Tea producers and factories
● Clearing and forwarding companies
● Freight forwarders
● Shipping lines
● Port of Mombasa stakeholders
● Warehousing and logistics providers
● International tea buyers and distributors
● Government and regulatory agencies; and
● Other relevant tea industry stakeholders.
Candidates are expected to demonstrate the nature and relevance of their industry network during the recruitment process.
5. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
i. Export Business Set-Up
Establishment of a functional, compliant, and commercially viable tea export operating framework.
ii. Buyer Acquisition
Development of a qualified international buyer pipeline and conversion of prospects into LOIs, purchase orders and export contracts.
iii. Revenue & Gross Margin
Achievement of agreed sales, revenue and gross-margin targets.
iv. Export Compliance
100% compliance with applicable Kenyan regulatory, licensing, customs and export requirements.
v. Logistics & Operational Efficiency
Establishment of reliable and cost-effective logistics, freight, warehousing, clearing and forwarding arrangements.
6. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree in Business, International Trade, Supply Chain, Agribusiness, Marketing, Economics, or a related field.
● Minimum 5 years relevant commercial/export experience, preferably within the tea, .
● Demonstrable experience in international trade and export transactions.
● Strong practical knowledge of the Kenyan tea industry.
● Demonstrable understanding of Tea Board of Kenya requirements and tea export procedures.
● Practical knowledge of export documentation, customs and international shipping processes.
● Experience working with clearing and forwarding companies, freight forwarders and shipping lines.
● Experience dealing with international buyers and negotiating commercial transactions.
● Strong understanding of logistics from supplier/source through to the Port of Mombasa and international shipment.
● Experience with letters of credit, documentary collections and other international trade-finance instruments.
● Demonstrable industry network within Kenya's tea/export ecosystem.
About BrighterMonday Consulting
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