Import Export Consultant

FORTE is dedicated to helping organizations operate effectively and safely in complex international environments. The company’s mission is to strengthen clients’ integration into the countries where they work and to provide professional, on-the-ground support tailored to local contexts. FORTE collaborates closely with partners to design and implement robust security strategies. Team members work at the intersection of international operations, risk management, and strategic consulting, supporting clients across diverse sectors and geographies.RoleWe are hiring an Import Export Consultant to originate, structure and close cross-border trades across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The role covers commodities and electronic equipment, with the option to handle defense equipment for candidates holding the right background and clearances.You will bring your own network of suppliers and buyers, arrange transaction funding, and manage deals from first enquiry to final delivery and payment.Key responsibilitiesBusiness development and networkUse and grow an existing network of verified suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and end buyers across the target regions.Originate new trade opportunities and match supply with confirmed demand.Negotiate prices, volumes, specifications, delivery schedules and payment terms.Build long-term relationships with key clients, agents and government or institutional buyers.Trade finance and transaction structuringStructure deals under the right Incoterms (CIF, FOB, CFR, DAP, DDP, EXW) for each trade.Arrange funding through letters of credit (LC), standby LCs (SBLC), bank guarantees, documentary collections and pre-export or supply-chain finance.Work with banks, trade finance houses and credit insurers to secure facilities and manage counterparty risk.Prepare deal sheets, cash-flow projections and margin analysis for each transaction.Operations and logisticsCoordinate shipping, freight forwarding, marine insurance, inspection (e.g. SGS) and customs clearance.Prepare and check shipping documents: bills of lading, commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin and inspection certificates.Track shipments and resolve delays, discrepancies and claims.Compliance and due diligenceRun KYC and due diligence on all counterparties before contracts are signed.Screen deals against sanctions lists and export control regimes (UN, OFAC, EU, UK and local authorities).Make sure every trade meets anti-money-laundering and anti-bribery rules and local import-export regulations.Maintain complete, audit-ready records for each transaction.Product and market scopeThe role spans three product lines across three regions; defense equipment is optional and depends on licensing and experience.Commodities/Agricultural goods, sugar, grains, edible oils, metals, fertilisers, petroleum productsCore Electronic equipment Consumer electronics, IT and telecom hardware, industrial and power equipment, components. Non-lethal and licensed security equipment.Optional; licensed channels and government-to-government or end-user-certified trades onlyTarget regions: Asia (including GCC-linked trade corridors with India, China and Southeast Asia), Africa (East, West and North Africa) and the Middle East (GCC and wider MENA).All defense and dual-use trades must hold valid export and import licences and end-user certificates, and follow every applicable national and international arms control regime.Qualifications and experienceRequired7+ years in international trade, commodity trading or import-export, with deals closed in at least two of the target regions.Proven, verifiable network of suppliers and buyers in commodities and/or electronic equipment.Hands-on experience with trade finance instruments (LC, SBLC, bank guarantees) and Incoterms 2020.Working knowledge of sanctions, export controls, KYC and AML requirements.Bachelor's degree in business, finance, international trade, supply chain or a related field.PreferredBackground in defense, security or government procurement, with experience working under licensing regimes.Existing relationships with trade finance banks, credit insurers or trading houses.Professional certification such as CDCS (Certified Documentary Credit Specialist), ICC trade finance courses or a CIPS qualification.Security clearance or eligibility to obtain one (for defense work).Fluency in English; Arabic, French, Mandarin, Hindi, Swahili or Portuguese is a strong plus.Skills and competenciesStrong negotiation and deal-closing ability across different business cultures.Financial literacy: pricing, margin calculation, FX exposure and payment risk.Sharp attention to detail in contracts and shipping documents.Sound judgment on counterparty risk, with the discipline to walk away from non-compliant deals.Ability to manage several transactions at once under tight timelines.Clear written and verbal communication with suppliers, banks, logistics partners and senior clients.Comfort with frequent travel across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.