Tupande Export Logistics Senior Specialist

Role Overview

This position owns the operational backbone of Soko’s international shipments, moving goods from production and warehouse teams through customs and freight networks to overseas buyers. The specialist keeps every export accurate, compliant, and on schedule while balancing cost control, documentation quality, and supply chain traceability. Success matters because delayed or non-compliant shipments directly affect vendor relationships, regulatory standing, and the organization’s ability to deliver on commitments.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and run end-to-end export plans, from confirmed order through final delivery, aligning production, warehouse, and procurement schedules so shipments leave with correct quantities and timing.
• Book and coordinate with freight forwarders, carriers, and logistics providers, monitor cargo in transit, and step in quickly when delays, port issues, or routing disruptions arise.
• Prepare, check, and retain export paperwork such as commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, certificates of origin, export licenses, and any customs declarations required by destination markets.
• Keep export activity aligned with international trade rules, customs procedures, and internal policies, and track regulatory changes that could affect current or future shipments.
• Serve as the main logistics contact for clients, sending proactive shipment updates, answering export questions, and resolving complaints, documentation errors, or delivery problems.
• Negotiate rates and service terms with shipping lines, forwarders, and other providers, then review freight spend to find savings in routing, container use, warehousing, and handling.
• Coordinate container reconditioning when overseas regulators flag non-compliance, making sure approved SOPs and documentation are completed before goods are released to buyers.
• Maintain audit-ready traceability records, working with sourcing and quality teams to document product origin and chain of custody from supplier through export.

Requirements & Qualifications

• 5+ years of supply chain experience, including at least 3 years focused specifically on export operations.
• Hands-on proficiency with export management systems and shipment tracking tools.
• Advanced Google Sheets skills, including complex formulas and functions used for data analysis, cost projections, and performance reporting.
• English is required; a working knowledge of Swahili is also useful.
• Strong planning and organizational abilities, with the capacity to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills for working across internal teams, customers, carriers, and regulatory agencies.
• Analytical mindset for monitoring freight costs, customs duties, tariffs, and overall export performance.