Senior EXIM Executive

Company Overview

Arboreal is an award-winning ingredients technology company specializing in the development of innovative and functional food and nutraceutical ingredients. The company’s mission is to enable pioneering brands with differentiated ingredient solutions that improve taste, texture, nutrition, and functionality. Arboreal collaborates closely with leading and emerging food, nutraceutical, and Better-for-You brands to develop, launch, and scale category-defining products. Its ingredient platforms include alternative proteins, sugar reduction and sweetening solutions, cacao-based ingredients, collagen, functional nutrition, and specialty food ingredients. Arboreal has received recognition through awards such as the National Startup Award – Food Processing (2021), BIRAC Grant from the Department of Biotechnology, Cartier Women’s Initiative Award – APAC, and Women Transforming India Award by NITI Aayog.

Job Summary

The Senior EXIM Executive will be responsible for managing the end-to-end import and export operations of Arboreal’s ingredient portfolio. This role involves coordinating shipments, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, managing documentation, and working closely with various stakeholders to ensure timely, reliable, and cost-effective international trade processes. The ideal candidate will be highly organized, proactive, and capable of resolving operational exceptions swiftly, contributing to the company’s global sourcing and export growth.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end import operations, including coordinating purchase orders, shipping instructions, documentation (commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, Bills of Lading, insurance documents, regulatory certificates), and tracking shipments from dispatch to final delivery.
• Oversee export shipments, ensuring compliance with customer and destination country requirements, including export invoices, shipping bills, certificates of origin, and freight arrangements.
• Coordinate customs clearance by working closely with Customs House Agents and customs brokers, ensuring timely filing of Bills of Entry and Shipping Bills, resolving queries, and managing assessments and duty payments.
• Support HS classification and customs documentation, maintaining organized records of product classifications, descriptions, specifications, and regulatory approvals, and escalating ambiguities.
• Manage relationships with freight forwarders, shipping lines, airlines, and consolidators, obtaining quotations, coordinating vessel schedules, and ensuring timely shipment visibility.
• Maintain shipment-level landed cost visibility, including freight, duties, port charges, insurance, detention, and incidental costs, and support cost analysis for savings opportunities.
• Coordinate import regulatory documentation under frameworks such as FSSAI, Plant Quarantine, DGFT, and other agencies, ensuring timely submission and clearance.
• Handle FSSAI import clearance processes for food and nutraceutical ingredients, tracking applications, sampling, testing, and clearance status.
• Support duty and trade agreement management, ensuring documentation for duty benefits and preferential tariffs is in place before shipment.
• Plan import schedules based on demand, inventory, lead times, and vessel availability to prevent stock-outs or excess inventory.
• Ensure documentation accuracy across all shipment-related documents, identifying discrepancies early.
• Monitor demurrage, detention, and port operations, proactively minimizing costs and resolving delays.
• Coordinate container and port operations, including container movement, port activities, and delivery.
• Communicate with international suppliers and customers regarding shipping schedules, documentation, packaging, and dispatch timelines.
• Maintain knowledge of Incoterms and commercial terms, ensuring responsibilities and costs are clearly documented.
• Coordinate payment and banking documentation with Finance, including Letters of Credit, remittances, and foreign currency payments.
• Maintain accurate import/export MIS trackers, providing real-time visibility on shipment status, costs, and exceptions.
• Reconcile shipment costs post-delivery, ensuring accurate allocation and investigating unexplained charges.
• Maintain systematic records of all EXIM documentation for audits and regulatory reviews.
• Manage shipment exceptions, resolving issues such as documentation mismatches, regulatory queries, vessel delays, or cargo damage.
• Drive process improvements in EXIM operations, including documentation checklists, shipment trackers, and visibility tools.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory and statutory requirements, supporting audits and inspections.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of relevant experience in EXIM, imports, exports, international logistics, or trade operations.
• Strong hands-on experience with import clearance and customs documentation in India.
• Prior experience in food ingredients, nutraceuticals, FMCG, pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, or industrial products preferred.
• Practical knowledge of Bill of Entry, Shipping Bill, Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Certificate of Origin, Customs clearance, Freight forwarding, Port operations, Incoterms.
• Experience coordinating with CHAs, freight forwarders, shipping lines, and international suppliers.
• Familiarity with FSSAI import procedures is a significant advantage.
• Understanding of HS classification and customs duties.
• Good working knowledge of international freight and landed-cost calculations.
• Proficiency in Excel/Google Sheets and shipment tracking tools.
• Strong documentation discipline, attention to detail, and follow-up skills.
• Ability to remain calm and focused during operational delays.
• High ownership mindset and bias for closure.
• Capable of independently managing multiple shipments simultaneously.
• Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Supply Chain, Logistics, International Business, Business Administration, or related discipline.
• Certifications in EXIM, International Trade, Customs, or Logistics are advantageous but not mandatory.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with trade agreements and duty benefits.
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks such as DGFT, FSSAI, and Plant Quarantine.
• Strong negotiation skills with logistics partners.
• Ability to analyze and optimize landed costs.
• Excellent communication skills for stakeholder coordination across time zones.

Experience

• 5 to 8 years of relevant experience in international trade, logistics, or EXIM operations, preferably within the food ingredients or nutraceutical sectors.

Environment

• The role is based in Mumbai, Thane, Bhiwandi, or Lucknow, with potential for hybrid or in-office work depending on location and candidate proximity to logistics hubs.
• The position involves coordination with international suppliers, freight forwarders, customs authorities, and internal teams.
• The work environment requires high organization, attention to detail, and the ability to handle multiple concurrent shipments.

Salary

• Not specified; competitive compensation based on experience and performance.

GrowthOpportunities

• Opportunities to grow into broader roles within EXIM, International Logistics, Supply Chain, and Global Trade Operations.
• Potential for professional development through exposure to complex international trade processes and strategic trade management.

Benefits

• Not specified; likely includes standard corporate benefits, performance incentives, and growth opportunities based on company policies.