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How to hire an import manager

Import manager hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring import managers in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire an import manager is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new import manager to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire an import manager, step by step

To hire an import manager, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire an import manager:

Here's a step-by-step import 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 import manager job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new import manager
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The import manager hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them an import manager to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire an import manager that fits the bill.

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

    Type of Import ManagerDescriptionHourly rate
    Import ManagerTop executives devise strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals. They plan, direct, and coordinate operational activities of companies and organizations.$23-44
    Manager/PartnerA manager/partner or managing partner is a professional who manages the daily activities of a company as well as guides its overall strategic business direction. Managing partners must cooperate with other executives, board members, and employees to implement organizational goals, procedures, and policies... Show more$30-67
    Director/ManagerA director/manager is responsible for developing strategic techniques to boost the operational efficiency of an organization in delivering high-quality services and satisfaction for the customers and business clients. Directors/managers identify business opportunities that would support the company's long-term goals and objectives, generating more revenues and closing contract deals for the business... Show more$42-89
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Customer Service
    • Logistics
    • Forwarders
    • Customs Compliance
    • Freight Forwarders
    • Customs Brokers
    • Import Export
    • Customs Regulations
    • HTS
    • CBP
    • Import Process
    • Government Agencies
    • Purchase Orders
    • FDA
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Support EDI technology system to manage essential company data.
    • Negotiate letters-of-credit with suppliers and manage customs brokers and forwarders.
    • Work in compliance with multiple shipping companies and freight forwarders to ensure their containers make their arrival time.
    • Handle the branch s largest pharmaceutical account with minimal rejects by utilizing a working knowledge of FDA and CBP regulations.
    • File various declarations with BATF/TTB, USCBP, and USDA.
    • Coordinate all customs and FDA clearance.
    More import manager duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the import manager job description is a good way to get more applicants. An import 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 import manager in Florida may be lower than in Washington, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level import manager. Additionally, an import manager with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average import manager salary

    $67,615yearly

    $32.51 hourly rate

    Entry-level import manager salary
    $49,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 18, 2025

    Average import manager salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Washington$86,388$42
    2Massachusetts$79,113$38
    3New Jersey$78,692$38
    4California$78,579$38
    5New York$78,295$38
    6North Carolina$77,452$37
    7Pennsylvania$76,533$37
    8Colorado$76,069$37
    9Delaware$72,751$35
    10Tennessee$72,083$35
    11Indiana$71,824$35
    12Illinois$69,506$33
    13Ohio$68,390$33
    14Arizona$67,801$33
    15Texas$66,731$32
    16Georgia$63,608$31
    17Florida$55,054$26

    Average import manager salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Southern Telecom$82,726$39.77
    2The Dart Network$70,730$34.00
    3Jas$65,714$31.598
    4Medline$65,205$31.3518
    5Dunavant$64,848$31.18
    6Crane Worldwide Logistics$64,154$30.8428
    7Excel High School$61,910$29.76
    8NNR Global Logistics$61,153$29.40
    9Yusen Logistics$61,107$29.389
    10DSV Panalpina$60,735$29.2058
    11Carrara Companies$60,038$28.86
    12Mediterranean Shipping Company$59,851$28.77
    13Expeditors$59,842$28.7713
    14Kuehne+Nagel$59,422$28.578
    15FedEx$58,454$28.1019
    16JST Enterprises$58,193$27.98
    17DHL$52,966$25.461
    18Randstad North America, Inc.$52,248$25.124
    19Air Express International Usa Inc$44,510$21.401
  4. Writing an import manager job description

    A job description for an import manager role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's an import manager job description:

    Import manager job description example

    Salary: $55,000 - $65,000

    Are you an adept leader who has previous experience working for a global freight forwarder in the imports department? We are looking for a proven Import Manager in Miami, FL who can take lead and manage a team of Import Specialists. Apply for this position today as interviews are undergoing this week.

    Duties and Responsibilities

    Oversees all aspects of Transportation Management Solutions services and activities. Is directly responsible for larger books of business.
    Directly manages the employees. Fosters a participative work environment. Serves as a mentor and role model for department personnel. Completes performance reviews for assigned staff, ensuring timely and accurate performance feedback is received on a regular basis. Provides development and training activities for assigned staff, encouraging continuous learning and performance improvement. Interviews hire and maintain appropriate staffing levels. Coordinates organizational/departmental activities.
    Aligns the department's/organization's goals and objectives with the organization's vision. Monitors the effectiveness of the department and ensures customer expectations are met consistently. Ensures budgets are met.
    Coordinates and leads team meetings disseminating company information, objectives and client news to the team.
    Manages selected key accounts based upon size and complexity of requirements.
    Ensures that value proposition is maintained by overseeing, monitoring, and actively managing key metrics and client margin factors. Targets key accounts that need improvement and drives/facilitates improvement actions. Determines carrier strategy to drive increased margin and minimize problems and issues with the account.
    Keeps track of client reviews and continuous improvement efforts. Ability to create and participate in either if required. Supports company continuous improvement efforts for internal processes and methodologies.
    Ensures high-quality service for customers by developing and implementing standard operational processes. Documents processes and leverages training resources to institutionalize best practices. Performs regular evaluations of results accomplished.
    Implements continuous improvement plans and activities to ensure steady progress is made in operation procedures, customer relations, rating, tracking and invoicing activities.
    Manages and influences support teams (Provider Development, Finance, etc.) to ensure key metrics are met.
    Responsible for P&L planning, forecasting and financial goals as set forth in P&L.
    Develops new business opportunities and participates in various customer implementation projects providing support as needed.
    Utilizes performance improvement techniques and principles to continually improve transportation services for the client(s). Provides recommendations to the client(s) for improving processes and works within established guidelines for implementing agreed-upon changes.
    Prepares timely management information and reports as specified and requested by upper management
    Analyzed clients' shipping requirements and patterns in order to develop a comprehensive understanding.
    Coordinates and assumes responsibility for issue resolution among the various company logistics support teams to meet clients' needs. Provider Development coordinates the selection, development, and management of a network of carriers to meet the Client's and customers' needs. Engage your team and support team in delivering value-added services to clients in fulfilment of your value proposal and contract.
    Defining and delivering client expectations in line with the Contract and Logistics Services Agreement. Adheres to all company and client(s) policies and procedures. Resolves conflicts through consensus-building techniques.

    Minimum Requirements

    2 years of supervisory or leadership experience
    5-7 years' experience in international freight forwarding.
    3-5 years of demonstrated leadership and management skills
    Strong customer relations ability with analytical and technical skills that can be utilized to produce creative ideas/solutions.
    Demonstrated successful negotiation and customer satisfaction skills.
    Effective verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
    Demonstrated organizational and management experience, including process improvement techniques.
    Demonstrated analytical, business planning and problem-solving skills. Ability to develop trend analyses and helps to build baseline of information with respect to the clients' activity.
    Ability to present client business review information through on-site meetings and formal presentations.
    Working knowledge of PC and business applications (including Microsoft Office).

    Location: Miami, FL
    Salary: $55,000 - $65,000

    This is a direct-hire, full-time, permanent position.

  5. Post your job

    To find the right import manager for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with import managers they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit import managers who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your import manager job on Zippia to find and recruit import manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit import 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.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 import manager

    Once you have selected a candidate for the import manager position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new import manager. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  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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How much does it cost to hire an import manager?

Recruiting import managers involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

Import managers earn a median yearly salary is $67,615 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find import managers for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $23 and $44.

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