How to hire an export manager

How to hire an export manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step export manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an export manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new export manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the export manager you need to hire. Certain export manager roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An export manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, export managers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of export managers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Export Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Export Manager	Sales managers direct organizations' sales teams. They set sales goals, analyze data, and develop training programs for organizations’ sales representatives.	$26-50
   International Sales Manager	An International Sales Manager is responsible for coordinating the sales department's global operations through sales volume monitoring and establishing goals. International Sales Managers maintain the company's global sales for services and commodities, and create methodical procedures and ideas to attract and persuade international clients to buy... Show more	$22-50
   Client Relationship Manager	Client Relationship Managers handle special client accounts for the company. They are usually assigned to essential clients or corporate accounts... Show more	$27-66

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Logistics
   • Customer Service
   • Booking
   • Export Compliance
   • Forwarders
   • AES
   • Freight Forwarders
   • TSA
   • Distributors
   • ITAR
   • Government Regulations
   • International Shipments
   • ISO
   • Steamship Lines

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage all NVOCC and freight forwarding operations.
   • Negotiate and manage export carrier contracts, trucking, full container loads, LCL and airfreight.
   • Proof read, manage and negotiate contracts with national carriers and rates obtain from NVOCC's.
   • Streamline logistics management by designing, developing and programming web-base applications for preparing shipping quotes and managing export documents.
   • Full air and ocean (FCL and LCL) export operations by using IES software.
   • Receive and track goods from factories to freight forwarders and to the final destination to ensure deliveries are accurate and punctual.

   More export manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the export manager job description is a good way to get more applicants. An export manager salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for an export manager in Kentucky may be lower than in Washington, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level export manager. Additionally, an export manager with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average export manager salary

   $76,655yearly

   $36.85 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level export manager salary

   $55,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average export manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$92,878	$45
   2	California	$89,398	$43
   3	Illinois	$88,639	$43
   4	Texas	$87,610	$42
   5	New Jersey	$86,946	$42
   6	District of Columbia	$84,691	$41
   7	Indiana	$83,119	$40
   8	Massachusetts	$82,369	$40
   9	Virginia	$79,856	$38
   10	Pennsylvania	$75,823	$36
   11	New Hampshire	$70,566	$34
   12	Minnesota	$70,354	$34
   13	Connecticut	$69,672	$34
   14	New York	$69,601	$33
   15	Florida	$66,667	$32
   16	Puerto Rico	$64,994	$31

   Average export manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Airbus	$91,249	$43.87	2
   2	AMETEK	$90,230	$43.38	5
   3	FLIR Systems	$87,262	$41.95	8
   4	GPAC	$84,314	$40.54
   5	Centuria	$82,668	$39.74
   6	PACCAR	$80,310	$38.61
   7	ADM	$79,186	$38.07	7
   8	Tata Motors	$79,102	$38.03
   9	CHARMANT Group	$77,648	$37.33
   10	SDV Group	$75,760	$36.42
   11	*n/a*	$75,741	$36.41	8
   12	Cable.Com	$74,834	$35.98
   13	Yusen Logistics	$74,733	$35.93	26
   14	Tyson Foods	$74,604	$35.87	1
   15	Ross Stores	$73,664	$35.42	2
   16	Agility Logistics	$72,640	$34.92
   17	Panalpina Inc	$72,573	$34.89
   18	Consolidated Companies Inc	$70,687	$33.98	3
   19	United Security	$70,357	$33.83	2
   20	American Airlines	$69,519	$33.42	4

4. Writing an export manager job description

   An export manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an export manager job description:

   Export manager job description example

   DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
   The duties and responsibilities of this position consists of, but are not limited to, the following:
   Leadership:
   Promote a culture and working environment that embraces growth and development to meet the needs of our employees and customers, resulting in higher employee engagement and overall customer satisfaction Instill professionalism, ensure adherence to policy and procedures, and encourage consistency of process Identify development opportunities, provide constructive feedback, offer continuous training opportunities for direct line reports Play major role in recruitment, onboarding, and continuous development of talent Provide individualized coaching plans for direct reports and host semi-annual Talent (performance) reviews
   Communication:
   Regularly share industry news, department changes, and process updates to department Draft client advisories on relevant trade, market, and regulatory updates Provide guidance to employees on how to respond to challenging customer scenarios
   Strategy:
   Maintain monthly balanced scorecard of department performance Participate in pricing and process negotiations Collaborate with branch leadership teams to deliver effective problem resolution and process improvement Set quantitative, qualitative, and personalized objectives for Department supervisors Design, control, and maintain the process for successful service delivery
   Customer Service:
   Uphold our customer SLA (service level agreements) Serve as a role model in developing relationships with clients, origin counterparts, and destination partners critical to the success of our clients' transportation and supply chain systems Utilize tools to confirm effective process execution and timely, accurate invoicing for services rendered Mentor employees to deliver quality business reviews Conduct business reviews and support sales efforts Troubleshoot and design solutions for challenging customer scenarios
   Operations:
   Assign and ensure proper setup for new business onboarding Mitigate operating expenses by actively managing resources against activity forecasts Utilize operational and financial tools to monitor daily tasks, set priorities, and measure performance Quickly and effectively resolve issues with airlines, steamship lines, ports/CFS, outside forwarders/brokers Monitor and maintain control over accounts receivable/accounts payable Manage and revise best practice and SOP materials Confirm that the supervisors and operations staff have the tools, time, and support they need to successfully service the customers Identify opportunities to utilize global operations team to deliver continuous improvement exercises that strengthen the customer relationship and improves efficiency Other duties or responsibilities as assigned according to the team and/or country specific requirements
   
   QUALIFICATIONS
   Required:
   High School Diploma or GEDMinimum 5 years of Global Forwarding Transportation experience Minimum 3 years of direct people management experience Ability to travel up to 10% (domestically and internationally)
   
   Preferred:
   Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university Proven flexibility & adaptability to product and customer needs Time management and organizational skills High emotional intelligence, situational leadership, and coaching techniques Excellent written & verbal communication skills Demonstrate strong operations management performance Understanding of financial statements and key performance metrics Track record of building strong customer relationships Site Specific: Additional European language (regional languages) Values a diverse and inclusive work environment
   
   Disclaimer:
   This job description is intended to generally describe the nature and level of work to be performed by employees in this position. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and skills required of employees performing this role.
   
   Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer
   C.H. Robinson is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We believe in equality for all and celebrate the diversity of our employees, customers, and communities. We believe this increases creativity and innovation, drives business growth, and enables engaged and thriving teams. We're committed to providing an inclusive environment, free from harassment and discrimination, where all employees feel welcomed, valued, and respected.
   
   Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer
   C.H. Robinson is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We believe in equality for all and celebrate the diversity of our employees, customers and communities. We believe this increases creativity and innovation, drives business growth and enables engaged and thriving teams. We're committed to providing an inclusive environment, free from harassment and discrimination, where all employees feel welcomed, valued and respected.
   Affirmative Action Employer/EOE/M/F/Disabled/Veteran
   
   Benefits
   Your Health, Wealth and Self
   Your total wellbeing is the foundation of our business, and our benefits support your financial, family and personal goals. We provide the top-tier benefits that matter to you most, including:
   Two medical plans (including a High Deductible Health Plan) Prescription drug coverage Enhanced Fertility benefits Flexible Spending Accounts Health Savings Account (including employer contribution) Dental and VisionBasic and Supplemental Life InsuranceShort-Term and Long-Term Disability Paid and floating holidays Paid time off (PTO) Paid parental leave Paid time off to volunteer in your community Charitable Giving Match Program 401(k) with 6% company matching Employee Stock Purchase PlanPlus a broad range of career development, networking, and team-building opportunities
   Dig in to our full list of benefits on OUR CULTURE page.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right export manager for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your export manager job on Zippia to find and recruit export manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit export managers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new export manager

   Once you've decided on a perfect export manager candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new export manager. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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