ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:
the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.
Import export manager is a Skill level 4 occupation.
These occupations require some skills and knowledge of import export manager. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of import export manager with a significant experience and/or extensive training.
This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of import export manager.
Embargo regulations: The national, international and foreign sanctions and embargo regulations, e.g. Council Regulation (EU) No 961/2010. Export control principles: The restrictions a country imposes on its exported products and goods. International commercial transactions rules: Pre-defined commercial terms used in international commercial transactions which stipulate clear tasks, costs and risks associated with the delivery of goods and services. International import export regulations: Know the principles that govern the import and export of products and equipment, trade restrictions, health and safety measures, licenses, etc.
These skills are necessary for the role of import export manager.
Create solutions to problems: Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings about practice. Apply conflict management: Take ownership of the handling of all complaints and disputes showing empathy and understanding to achieve resolution. To be fully aware of all Social Responsibility protocols and procedures, and to be able to deal with a problem gambling situation in a professional manner with maturity and empathy. Monitor international market performance: Continuously monitor the international market performance by staying up-to-date with trade media and trends. Speak different languages: Master foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages. Set import export strategies: Develop and plan the strategies for import and export, according to the size of the company, the nature of its products, expertise and business conditions on the international markets. Control trade commercial documentation: Monitor written records containing information related to commercial transactions such as invoice, letter of credit, order, shipping, certificate of origin. Ensure customs compliance: implement and monitor compliance with import and export requirements in order to avoid customs claims, supply chain interruption, increased overall costs. Perform financial risk management in international trade: Evaluate and manage the possibility of financial loss and non-payment following international transactions, in the context of foreign exchange market; apply instruments like letters of credit. Build rapport with people from different cultural backgrounds: Understand and create a link with people from different cultures, countries, and ideologies without judgements or preconceptions. Conduct performance measurement: Gather, assess and interpret data concerning the performance of a system, component, group of people or organisation. Abide by business ethical code of conducts: Conform and follow the ethical code of conducts promoted by companies and businesses at large. Ensure that operations and activities do comply with the code of conduct and ethical operations the supply chain throughout. Comprehend financial business terminology: Grasp the meaning of basic financial concepts and terms used in businesses and financial institutions or organisations. Meet deadlines: Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time. Manage processes: Manage processes by defining, measuring, controlling and improving them with the goal to meet customer requirements profitably. Produce sales reports: Maintain records of calls made and products sold over a given time frame, including data regarding sales volumes, number of new accounts contacted and the costs involved. Have computer literacy: Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way. Maintain financial records: Keep track of and finalise all formal documents representing the financial transactions of a business or project. Direct distribution operations: Direct distribution and logistics operations ensuring maximum accuracy and productivity.
This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of import export manager. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
General principles of food law: The national and international legal rules and requirements applied in the food industry. Metal and metal ore products: The offered metal and metal ore products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Pharmaceutical products: The offered pharmaceutical products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Chemical products: The offered chemical products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Agricultural raw materials, seeds and animal feed products: The offered agricultural raw materials, seeds and animal feed products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Textile industry machinery products: The offered textile industry machinery products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Protective measures against the introduction of organisms: The national and international protective measures against the introduction of organisms, e.g. Council Directive 2000/29/EC, on protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community. Clothing and footwear products: The offered clothing and footwear products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Electronic and telecommunication equipment: The offered electronic and telecommunication equipment and products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Types of aircraft: The various types of aircraft, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Office equipment: The offered office machinery and equipment products, its functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Construction products: The offered construction materials, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Tobacco products: The varieties of products that can be manufactured using tobacco leaves as a base. The types of tobacco products which are smoked tobacco products, smokeless tobacco products, and byproducts of tobacco leaves. Import export regulations of dangerous chemicals: The international and national legal rules for exporting and importing dangerous chemicals. Agricultural equipment: The offered agricultural machinery and equipment products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Types of maritime vessels: Know a large variety of maritime vessels and their characteristics and specifications. Use that knowledge to ensure that all security, technical, and maintenance measures are taken into account in their supply. Dairy and edible oil products: The offered dairy products and edible oil products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Fish, crustacean and mollusc products: The offered fish, crustacean and mollusc products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Sugar, chocolate and sugar confectionery products: The offered sugar, chocolate and sugar confectionery products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Textile products, textile semi-finished products and raw materials: The offered textile products, textile semi-finished products and raw materials, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Machinery products: The offered machinery products their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Food hygiene rules: The set of national and international regulations for hygiene of foodstuffs and food safety, e.g. regulation (EC) 852/2004. Hides, skins and leather products: The offered hides, skins and leather products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Furniture, carpet and lighting equipment products: The offered furniture, carpet and lighting equipment products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Meat and meat products: The offered meat and meat products, their properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Hardware, plumbing and heating equipment products: The offered hardware, plumbing and heating equipment products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Beverage products: The offered beverage products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Employment law: The law which mediates the relationship between employees and employers. It concerns employees’ rights at work which are binding by the work contract. Computer equipment: The offered computers, computer peripheral equipment and software products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Fruit and vegetable products: The offered fruit and vegetable products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Animal health rules of distribution of products of animal origin: Types of national and international animal health rules governing the distribution and introduction of products of animal origin for human consumption, e.g. Directive 2002/99/EC. Electrical household appliances products: The offered electrical household appliances products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Industrial tools: The tools and equipment used for industrial purposes, both power and hand tools, and their various uses. Teamwork principles: The cooperation between people characterised by a unified commitment to achieving a given goal, participating equally, maintaining open communication, facilitating effective usage of ideas etc. Waste and scrap products: The offered waste and scrap products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Watches and jewellery products: The offered watches and jewellery products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Wood products: The various wood products such as lumber and furniture, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Perfume and cosmetic products: The offered perfume and cosmetic products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Export regulations of dual-use goods: Field of information distinguishing national and international regulations concerning the export of dual-use goods. Mining, construction and civil engineering machinery products: The offered mining, construction and civil engineering machinery products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Regulations on substances: The national and international regulations on the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, e.g. regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. Coffee, tea, cocoa and spice products: The offered coffee, tea, cocoa and spice products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Office furniture products: The offered office furniture products, its functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Household products: The offered household products or goods, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Sales strategies: The principles concerning customer behaviour and target markets with the aim of promotion and sales of a product or a service. Live animal products: The offered live animal products, their specificity and legal and regulatory requirements. Flower and plant products: The offered flower and plant products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Machine tools: The offered machine tools and products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements. Glassware products: The offered china glassware and other glassware products such as cups and vases, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of import export manager. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
Plan team building: Encourage team members and build a relationship of mutual trust, respect and cooperation. Manage tender processes: Organise the process of writing and designing proposals or bids for tenders. Administer multi-modal logistics: Manage the flow of products through multi-modal transportation. Apply strategic thinking: Apply generation and effective application of business insights and possible opportunities, in order to achieve competitive business advantage on a long-term basis. Negotiate sales contracts: Come to an agreement between commercial partners with a focus on terms and conditions, specifications, delivery time, price etc. Managing a business with great care: Detailed and thorough treatment of transactions, compliance with regulations and supervision of employees, safeguarding a smooth running of daily operations. Plan transport operations: Plan mobility and transport for different departments in order to obtain the best possible movement of equipment and materials. Negotiate the best possible delivery rates. Compare different bids and select the most reliable and cost-effective bid.
