Overview

Export managers serve as intermediaries between foreign buyers and domestic sellers. Typically export managers find buyers internationally for domestic product manufacturers, these can be raw or processed agricultural goods, equipment or parts.

What responsibilities will I have?

• Meet with clients to support and grow sales volume
• Serve as a secondary contact for international clients
• May require being proficient in a secondary language
• Provide leadership and guidance to your customer service, planning and logistics teams to ensure that customers receive their appropriate shipments
• Work with international brokers who attend international tradeshows and meetings.
• Work to develop new business and growth opportunities and manage volumes and margins to generate efficiency for manufacturing and margins for earnings
• Investigate new sales opportunities and actively solicit business from potential customers
• Utilize in-depth industry knowledge to build credibility and become a trusted advisor with customers both domestically and abroad
• Knowledge of the details of the export business to ensure that government policies, labelling systems, transportation and payment laws are followed
• Negotiate and monitor export rates and services to reduce operating costs and increase profitability
• Respond promptly to customer complaints and look to find winning solutions

What education and training is required?

A bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics, business, international business or marketing. MBA or other related degree is a plus.

To pursue a career as an Export Sales Manager

• The following high school courses are recommended:  agricultural education, business, accounting, computer classes and foreign languages.   

Where can I work?  How much money will I make?

Typical employers: employed by food production companies, commodity buyers and suppliers who have international customers or purchase international goods. Large port/cargo cities would be a common place for jobs to be found, but you are not limited by that geographic area, it all depends on your products.

Future Job Market / Outlook

The future outlook for export sales manager will be excellent over the next five years. 

Suggested Professional Organizations and Associations

• Export Councils
• Mid-America International Agri-Trade Concil
• North American Export Grain Association
• State Agribusiness Associations
• Transportation, Elevator and Grain Merchants Association