Job Description
Armani Middle East Trading Development Company is looking for an experienced and capable professional to join its management team as Commercial Manager, with a strong focus on foreign trade, import planning, import operations management, cost control, and commercial analysis.

Key Responsibilities:
Lead and control the import process from purchase finalization through arrival and delivery of goods
Forecast, analyze, and plan imports in line with commercial requirements and the company’s sales plan
Prepare and regularly update import plans based on sales forecasts, inventory levels, goods in transit, and lead times
Analyze sales data, inventory, and historical import records to determine the appropriate timing and volume of imports
Develop and assess import scenarios considering foreign exchange limitations, liquidity, lead time, warehouse capacity, and market conditions
Manage and monitor order registration, regulatory approvals, and related government systems
Oversee foreign exchange allocation and sourcing, banking processes, and import-related payments
Review and reconcile commercial, banking, and international shipping documents
Plan and supervise international and domestic transportation, customs procedures, and clearance activities
Manage and monitor cargo insurance, insurance coverage, claims, and related processes
Continuously monitor goods in transit, inventory levels, and future demand, and provide timely alerts regarding potential shortages or excess stock
Manage multiple import files simultaneously and ensure clear ownership, next actions, status, and deadlines for each file
Identify bottlenecks and manage delays, discrepancies, and operational risks
Analyze deviations between planned and actual import performance and identify root causes
Monitor, control, and analyze import-related costs, including purchase cost, freight, insurance, customs, clearance, warehousing, demurrage, banking fees, and other associated expenses
Analyze Landed Cost and identify the key drivers of cost increases and variances
Analyze cost deviations versus plan and budget and recommend corrective actions
Evaluate and compare transportation scenarios based on cost, time, risk, and reliability
Control freight costs and negotiate with carriers, freight forwarders, insurance companies, and other service providers
Control and minimize costs arising from delays, demurrage, detention, and other shipping and clearance-related charges
Prepare analytical reports on import costs and propose initiatives to reduce costs and improve efficiency
Monitor key indicators such as Import Lead Time, Freight Cost, Demurrage Cost, Cost per Shipment, and Landed Cost
Coordinate closely with Sales, Finance, Warehouse, and other relevant departments
Manage, lead, evaluate, and develop the Commercial team
Design and present management dashboards and reports on orders, shipments, inventory, costs, and import files
Provide management with analyses and practical recommendations regarding import timing, volume, cost, and associated risks
Develop, standardize, and continuously improve commercial processes and procedures
Negotiate with domestic and international suppliers and vendors
Interact and negotiate with banks, government organizations, and relevant regulatory authorities

Qualifications & Requirements:
Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in foreign trade and import activities
At least 2 years of management experience leading a team or commercial function
Proven hands-on experience in managing the full End-to-End Import Process
Strong capability in forecasting, data analysis, and import planning
Strong knowledge of import cost control and analysis
Ability to analyze Landed Cost and identify cost variances
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for analytical models, import planning, and management reporting
Strong knowledge of order registration processes, the Comprehensive Trade System, and customs-related systems
Practical experience in foreign exchange allocation and sourcing, as well as dealing with banks
Strong knowledge of commercial, banking, and international shipping documents
Strong knowledge of customs procedures and cargo clearance
Strong command of international and domestic transportation
Strong understanding of freight, customs, warehousing, and clearance cost structures
Strong knowledge of cargo insurance, insurance coverage, claims reporting, and claims follow-up
Ability to negotiate with and evaluate carriers, freight forwarders, and insurance providers
Strong command of Incoterms
Ability to manage multiple import files simultaneously and prioritize effectively
Proven experience in managing, coaching, evaluating, and developing teams
Strong analytical, problem-solving, follow-up, and crisis-management skills
Ability to prepare and present analytical and management reports
Professional written and spoken English, particularly for business correspondence, negotiations, commercial documents, and management presentations
Minimum Master’s degree
Academic background in Business Administration, International Business, MBA, or other relevant fields

Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in trading and import companies active in essential commodities, grains, animal feed, and food industries
Proficiency in additional foreign languages
Direct experience negotiating with international suppliers and government authorities
Valid recommendation or reference letter from a previous employer

Assessment Process:
The assessment process for this position will include:
English language assessment
Preparation of a Proposal in English
Presentation and defense of the Proposal in English
The ability to prepare, present, and defend business analyses, proposals, and management reports in English will be considered a key part of the evaluation process.