Imports & Exports Officer

Role Overview

This position sits at the heart of our cross-border trade operations, ensuring goods move seamlessly between international suppliers and local customers. You will be the primary point of contact for all import and export activities, managing every step from purchase order to final delivery. Your daily focus is on keeping shipments compliant with Kenyan customs regulations, tracking freight in real time, and resolving bottlenecks before they disrupt our supply chain.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate end-to-end import and export shipments, selecting the most efficient routes and transport modes while balancing cost, speed, and reliability.
• Prepare and verify all trade documentation — including bills of lading, commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, and import/export permits — to ensure full compliance with Kenyan and international regulations.
• Liaise with clearing agents, freight forwarders, shipping lines, and customs brokers to ensure timely cargo release and avoid demurrage or storage penalties.
• Monitor shipment status from origin to destination, proactively identifying delays, damages, or discrepancies and implementing corrective actions to keep deliveries on schedule.
• Maintain accurate records of shipping costs, exchange rates, and freight charges, then reconcile invoices against quotes to control logistics expenditure.
• Track key performance indicators such as delivery lead times, customs clearance duration, and cost per shipment, producing regular reports for management.
• Ensure all shipments adhere to Kenya's customs procedures, trade laws, and import/export restrictions, staying updated on regulatory changes that may affect goods movement.
• Collaborate with procurement, warehousing, and finance teams to align shipping schedules with inventory needs and production deadlines.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a closely related discipline.
• At least three years of hands-on experience handling imports, exports, and customs clearance in a fast-paced trading or manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of Kenyan customs legislation, import duty structures, and the documentation required for both sea and air freight.
• Proven experience preparing shipping documentation and managing trade documents in line with international standards such as Incoterms.
• Professional certification such as CIPS or CIFFA will be considered a strong advantage.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and advanced MS Office skills, particularly Excel, for tracking shipments and analysing logistics data.
• Strong coordination, negotiation, and communication skills to manage multiple agents and internal stakeholders simultaneously.
• A detail-oriented, highly organised approach with the discipline to meet tight deadlines in a high-stakes logistics environment.