Import Manager

1. Import Coordination & Transaction Management

• Work closely with Procurement to ensure seamless transition from sourcing and supplier award to import execution trade documentation shipment coordination and financial settlement.
• Monitor shipment timelines and cargo movement to ensure timely arrival of imported materials and minimize supply disruptions to operations.
• Track shipment milestones and proactively escalate documentation gaps shipment delays regulatory bottlenecks or financial risks impacting import timelines.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain Operations Engineering Farms Veterinary Services Production and Finance teams to align shipment priorities with business continuity requirements.
• Maintain visibility on open import transactions and ensure timely closure of import cycles.

2. Trade Finance FX & Foreign Payment Management

• Lead all trade finance and foreign payment activities relating to imports ensuring timely execution financial control and regulatory compliance.
• Manage the administration and processing of trade finance instruments including:
  • Letters of Credit (LC)
  • Form M establishment and management
  • Bills for Collection
  • Telegraphic Transfers (TT)
  • Advance Payments
  • Shipping Guarantees
  • Bills for Import Collection
• Serve as the primary liaison with commercial banks financial institutions and trade service providers to facilitate foreign exchange sourcing import financing and payment execution.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable foreign exchange regulations central banking guidelines and trade finance requirements.
• Monitor FX requirements and exposure for import obligations providing insights to support efficient foreign currency planning and utilization.
• Coordinate timely supplier payment processing to avoid shipment delays supply interruptions or contractual penalties.
• Maintain robust tracking of import payment obligations foreign liabilities maturity schedules and outstanding commitments.

3. Import Documentation Regulatory & Customs Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with all statutory customs and regulatory requirements governing importation activities.
• Oversee the preparation review accuracy and completeness of import-related documentation including:
  • Form M
  • Proforma Invoice
  • Commercial Invoice
  • Final Invoice
  • Bill of Lading / Airway Bill
  • Packing List
  • SONCAP Documentation
  • NAFDAC Approvals
  • Veterinary and Quarantine Permits
  • PAAR Processing
  • Import Duty Documentation
  • Insurance Certificates
  • Customs Documentation
• Manage relationships and engagement with relevant regulatory authorities and trade partners including:
  • Nigeria Customs Service
  • Federal Ministry of Agriculture
  • NAFDAC
  • Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)
  • Quarantine Services
  • Port Authorities
  • Commercial Banks
  • Trade Service Providers
• Ensure timely processing of customs documentation and cargo clearance while minimizing regulatory exposure delays penalties and non-compliance risks.
• Continuously monitor changes in import regulations tariffs levies and government trade policies to ensure business compliance.

4. Import Cost Control & Financial Optimization

• Monitor review and control all import-related costs to ensure cost efficiency transparency and financial discipline.
• Manage and optimize import-related expenditures including:
  • Freight costs
  • Clearing expenses
  • Customs duties and levies
  • Port charges
  • Insurance costs
  • Demurrage and detention costs
• Drive initiatives to minimize avoidable import-related costs and eliminate inefficiencies in import execution and cargo clearance.
• Conduct landed cost analysis and support Finance and Procurement with financial insights on import economics and cost implications.
• Support budgeting forecasting accruals and financial planning for import-related obligations and foreign payment commitments.
• Ensure timely reconciliation of import costs against approved budgets and shipment documentation.

5. Stakeholder & Service Provider Management

• Manage relationships with banks clearing agents customs brokers freight forwarders shipping lines and trade service providers to ensure efficient service delivery.
• Monitor clearing and logistics partner performance against agreed service levels turnaround times compliance expectations and cost parameters.
• Resolve escalated issues impacting shipment processing documentation customs clearance or payment execution.
• Collaborate effectively with Procurement Accounts Payable Supply Chain and operational teams to ensure seamless import execution.

6. Risk Management Governance & Controls

• Identify assess and mitigate risks associated with import financing and execution including:
  • Foreign exchange volatility
  • Documentation discrepancies
  • Regulatory non-compliance
  • Shipment delays
  • Customs disputes and penalties
  • Supplier payment risks
  • Financial exposure arising from import obligations
• Ensure strong governance financial controls and audit readiness across all import transactions and supporting documentation.
• Conduct periodic reconciliation of import records shipment documentation payment schedules and financial obligations to ensure completeness and accuracy.
• Support internal and external audits by maintaining accurate traceable and compliant import documentation and records.

7. Reporting & Performance Management

• Prepare periodic import and trade finance reports for management decision-making including:
  • Import transaction status
  • Shipment and clearance timelines
  • FX utilization and exposure
  • Open Form M obligations
  • Outstanding supplier payments
  • Import-related costs and variances
  • Demurrage and detention exposure
  • Regulatory and compliance updates
• Track and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to improve efficiency cost management compliance and turnaround times.
• Provide management with visibility into import-related risks financial commitments bottlenecks and operational dependencies.

Education

• Bachelors degree in Finance Accounting Business Administration Supply Chain or a related field

Experience

• Proven 8- 10 years experience in import management trade finance or supply chain/logistics operations
• Hands-on experience managing trade finance instruments Letters of Credit (LC) Form M Bills for Collection Telegraphic Transfers Advance Payments and Shipping Guarantees
• Experience liaising with commercial banks clearing agents freight forwarders and regulatory authorities

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong knowledge of Nigerian customs regulations CBN foreign exchange policies and government trade compliance requirements
• Familiarity with import documentation Commercial Invoices Bills of Lading SONCAP PAAR NAFDAC approvals Veterinary & Quarantine Permits
• Understanding of landed cost analysis import cost control and budget management
• Solid grasp of FX exposure monitoring and foreign payment obligation tracking

Competencies

• Strong analytical and financial reporting skills
• Excellent stakeholder and relationship management
• Attention to detail and high level of accuracy in documentation
• Ability to identify assess and mitigate import-related risks
• Strong coordination and communication skills across cross-functional teams