An international trade manager is often in charge of overseeing all aspects of a company’s or government’s trade negotiations and policies — or just a small portion of it. A bachelor’s degree in international business or international relations is commonly obtained by these professionals. They frequently strive to learn one or more foreign languages in order to increase their chances of cultivating a successful network of future business partners.
The cornerstone of a successful career as an international trade manager is cultivating overseas contacts with both trade officials and industry leaders. This could be used in both directions. I. It could be generating export sales leads for a US manufacturer in a foreign country. It could also entail obtaining international products or services for domestic import and sale.
Some go on to work as an international trade manager for a company that invests in specific products or services for import, export, or both. For example, the oil industry could hire such a specialist to ensure that the oil it produces finds a market outside of the United States. Other companies may have a broader scope, requiring trade managers to find any profitable import or export arrangements overseas. Most major ports and other types of trade hubs hire managers to oversee tariff implementation or simply keep track of what’s coming and going for official tally purposes.
An international trade manager can better understand the benefits of any business arrangement by studying foreign markets, trade barriers, and emerging markets. When this information is committed to memory, these managers act as a long-term watchdog and sales generator for the company. An international trade manager may travel to key markets several times a year or remain permanently based in that foreign market, serving as the face of a company or industry and chief diplomat.
An international trade manager’s education typically includes coursework in logistics, trade details, finance, and culture. It will also look at management and marketing techniques used in other countries, which will help this professional gain an advantage in negotiations and even casual relationships. The idea of the world becoming a “global village” in terms of culture and business is a cornerstone of international relations education, giving future trade managers the extra knowledge they’ll need to win contracts and make contacts with people who don’t share their beliefs, customs, or history.