Who We Are:
At Inchcape Shipping Services, our vision is to create a connected world where customers can trade successfully and make informed decisions in every port, everywhere. We achieve this by combining our worldwide infrastructure with local expertise, through our global network of more than 250 proprietary offices and a team of over 3,000 dedicated professionals. Our diverse customer base includes owners and charterers in the oil, cruise, container, and bulk commodity sectors, as well as naval, government, and intergovernmental organisations.
Role Summary:
The Import & Export Sales Executive will be responsible for promoting and selling container liner services, developing strong relationships with customers, and ensuring seamless handling of import and export shipments. The role covers the full cycle of activities, from vessel arrival to departure, ensuring both business development and operational coordination with principals, port authorities, and customers.
Contract: Permanent
Location: Sohar, Oman
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Sales & Business Development
- Identify, develop, and maintain relationships with shippers, consignees, freight forwarders, and NVOCCs to generate import and export bookings.
- Promote container liner services, negotiate freight rates, and secure business in line with company s commercial strategy.
- Monitor competitor activities, market trends, and customer requirements to maximize revenue opportunities.
- Coordinate with principals on rate filings, tenders, and special deals.
Customer Service (Pre-Arrival & Vessel Arrival)
- Circulate vessel schedules and cut-off dates to customers for bookings and cargo planning.
- Support customers with booking confirmations, shipping instructions, and documentation requirements.
- Ensure compliance with port and customs requirements for advance filing (IGM/EGM).
- Provide arrival notices to consignees and coordinate for timely release of import cargo.
Export Cycle (Booking to Vessel Departure)
- Process and confirm bookings, issue booking acknowledgements to shippers.
- Guide customers on documentation (SI, BL, VGM, cut-off times).
- Coordinate with documentation team for draft and final Bill of Lading issuance.
- Ensure collection of freight and related charges prior to BL release.
- Monitor container gate-in at port, reconcile bookings with load lists, and support operations during vessel loading.
- Submit final load lists and export manifests to principals and authorities post-vessel departure.
Import Cycle (Vessel Arrival to Delivery)
- Receive manifests from load ports and ensure timely submission to customs (IGM filing).
- Notify consignees of vessel arrival and cargo availability.
- Coordinate with finance for collection of freight, DO charges, and outstanding receivables.
- Release Delivery Orders (DOs) to consignees/agents after completion of documentation and payments.
- Handle manifest corrections, amendments, and disputes in coordination with principals and customs.
- Support operations in reconciling discharge lists, reporting short-landed, over-landed, or damaged cargo.
Post-Departure & Reporting
- Ensure vessel file closure with complete documentation for both imports and exports.
- Prepare voyage-wise sales performance, revenue reports, and outstanding receivables reports.
- Submit market intelligence and customer feedback to management and principals.
- Maintain records for audit and compliance purposes.
Who You Are:
- Bachelor s degree in Shipping, Logistics, Supply Chain, Business, or equivalent.
- 3 5 years experience in liner sales and documentation (import & export).
- Strong knowledge of container liner shipping processes (BL, IGM, EGM, DO, Manifest).
- Proficiency in MS Office and trade portals (Bayan, Dubai Trade, or similar).
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills.
- Ability to multitask and meet strict deadlines under pressure.
- Fluency in English (Arabic is an advantage).
You Will Receive:
A diverse range of benefits, depending on your geographical location. At this instance, you will enjoy:
- A place to grow your career - we ll help you set big goals and exceed them.
- Competitive salary package and performance-based bonus scheme.
- Premium medical health insurance coverage.
- Work with talented, committed, and supportive teammates.
- Value Award celebration events.
Why Inchcape Shipping Services
We believe in building a diverse and high-performing workforce, that works together to provide our customers with the exceptional service they deserve. To reach the highest standards we depend on our people, their welfare, training, and expertise. We realise the value of our staff and know that your unique experiences, skills, and passions will help you to build a rich and rewarding career in our dynamic industry.
Our values are at the centre of everything we do, and the successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate and fully adopt these:
Global Perspective
- we connect the world and see the bigger picture. The Power of People
- we rely on the strength of local agent knowledge and relationships. Progress
- we adopt new thinking and push for positive change in our industry.
Inchcape is an Equal Opportunities Employer - equality, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do. Working in a diverse society, we recognise that our customers, colleagues, and contractors are central to our success.
#WeAreInchcape
Additional Information:
Appointment to this role will be subject to satisfactory references and possession of a valid Right to Work documentation depending upon your geographical location.
To protect the interests of all parties, Inchcape will not accept unsolicited or speculative resumes from recruitment agencies and will not be responsible for any fees associated with them.
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