Shipping Manager / Export Manager

Manages outbound shipping operations including carrier selection, export documentation, packaging standards, and compliance with international trade regulations for global product distribution.

From people doing the work

Day-to-day involves a lot of problem-solving, from unexpected customs delays to carrier issues. It's a constant balancing act of ensuring goods move efficiently while staying compliant with ever-changing international regulations. Communication with various stakeholders, both internal and external, is key to keeping everything on track.

Drawn from Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT), LinkedIn Groups for Shipping/Logistics/Export Managers

Attribution: Composite

Composite · Synthesised from Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT), LinkedIn Groups for Shipping/Logistics/Export Managers

A day in the life of a Shipping Manager / Export Manager

People interaction
Extensive
Team vs solo
65% Team / 35% Solo
Client facing
Sometimes
Impact visibility
Moderate
Travel
Low-Moderate
Schedule flexibility
Moderate
Remote work
Limited Remote
Typical work hours
42-50
Stress level
High

Shipping Manager / Export Manager salary, education and outlook at a glance

Median salary
$78,000
Entry-level
$50,000
Senior
$118,000
Growth by 2033
4%
Demand
Stable
Freelance potential
Low
Salary growth potential
136%
Typical student debt
Moderate

Skills you need as a Shipping Manager / Export Manager

Hard skills

  • Export Documentation
  • Incoterms
  • Carrier Management
  • TMS
  • Dangerous Goods Regulations
  • ERP Systems
  • Customs Compliance

Soft skills

  • Organization
  • Communication
  • Attention to Detail
  • Problem Solving
  • Negotiation

Technical complexity: Moderate

Tools of the trade

Core tools

  • Transportation Management System (TMS) (Software): Manages and optimizes the physical movement of goods, including carrier selection, route planning, and freight auditing.
  • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems (Software): Integrates core business processes like inventory management, order processing, and financial data to streamline operations.
  • Customs Compliance Software (Software): Ensures adherence to international trade regulations, automates customs declarations, and manages import/export licenses.
  • Global Trade Management (GTM) Software (Software): Automates and manages global trade processes, including compliance, logistics, and documentation.

Commonly used

  • Freight Forwarding Platforms (Platform): Facilitates the booking and management of international shipments, offering rate comparisons and tracking services.
  • Microsoft Excel (Software): Used for data analysis, tracking shipments, managing budgets, and creating reports.

Specialist tools

  • Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) Manuals (Standard): Provides guidelines and requirements for the safe transport of hazardous materials by air, sea, and road.

How to become a Shipping Manager / Export Manager

Minimum education
Bachelor's in International Business, Logistics, or Supply Chain
Licensing
No
Years to mid-career
4-4
Years to senior
10-10
Career switching
Moderate

Where this career leads

How people arrive here

  • Shipping Coordinator: Entry-level role handling daily shipping tasks, preparing documentation, and coordinating with carriers under supervision.
  • Logistics Analyst: Analyzes supply chain data to identify efficiencies, optimize routes, and improve overall logistics performance.
  • Warehouse Manager: Manages all aspects of warehouse operations, including inventory, storage, and dispatch, with direct impact on shipping.

Where you can go from here

  • Director of Export Operations: Oversees all strategic aspects of a company's export activities, managing teams and ensuring global trade compliance.
  • Supply Chain Manager: Manages the entire supply chain, from procurement to distribution, focusing on strategic planning and optimization.
  • Global Trade Compliance Manager: Specializes in ensuring adherence to all international trade laws and regulations, mitigating risks for global operations.

Typical progression

  1. Shipping Clerk
  2. Shipping Coordinator
  3. Shipping Manager
  4. Director of Export Operations
  5. VP of Global Trade

Shipping Manager / Export Manager job outlook and future demand

Automation probability
Low-Moderate
AI disruption risk
Moderate
Demand trend
Stable

Job satisfaction as a Shipping Manager / Export Manager

Overall satisfaction
6/10
Meaning
5.5/10
Work-life balance
6/10
Prestige
7.8/10
Social perception
Moderate

Where practitioners gather

Professional organisations

Podcasts and media

  • Supply Chain Management Review: A leading publication providing insights, analysis, and best practices for supply chain and logistics executives.
  • FreightWaves: A freight intelligence platform and news publication covering trucking, air cargo, ocean shipping, and supply chain markets with real-time data and analysis.

Online communities

Careers similar to Shipping Manager / Export Manager