Company Description Gourmet Egypt is a premium food retailer and producer that has been serving adventurous food lovers since 2006. The company began with a focus on fine imported ingredients for Cairo’s top hotels and has grown into a brand known for its “Handcrafted by Gourmet” products made from the best local and imported ingredients. Its recipes and production methods are developed by in-house culinary talent and renowned visiting chefs, supported by modern production facilities. Gourmet Egypt also operates a state-of-the-art e-commerce platform, including a webstore, mobile app, and shopable recipes. The company values community, team spirit, and a genuine passion for food, treating every customer like family.Role Description The Import Manager is responsible for managing and optimizing all import activities for Gourmet Egypt and its affiliated entities. The role ensures the timely, compliant, and cost-effective importation of food products, ingredients, packaging materials, equipment, and other business-critical items. The position serves as the key liaison between international suppliers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, regulatory authorities, and internal stakeholders to ensure smooth end-to-end import operations.Key ResponsibilitiesManage the end-to-end import process, from purchase order confirmation through shipment, customs clearance, and final delivery, ensuring timely product availability and minimal supply disruptions.Coordinate with international suppliers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, shipping lines, and transportation providers to ensure efficient execution of import activities and resolution of operational issues.Maintain strong relationships with suppliers and oversee order confirmations, production schedules, shipment readiness, and shipping documentation requirements.Monitor shipment status, lead times, and supply risks, proactively addressing delays, shortages, documentation discrepancies, and clearance challenges while developing contingency plans when necessary.Ensure full compliance with Egyptian customs regulations, food import requirements, and local product registration and labeling standards.Liaise with relevant regulatory authorities, including NFSA, GOEIC, Customs Authority, and other governmental entities, to facilitate smooth and compliant import operations.Review, validate, and maintain all import and shipping documentation, including commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, health certificates, bills of lading, and related compliance records.Optimize freight, clearance, warehousing, and logistics costs while maintaining agreed service levels and minimizing demurrage, detention, and storage expenses.Analyze import performance, costs, and lead times, identifying opportunities for process improvements, operational efficiencies, and cost savings.Collaborate closely with Procurement, Finance, Commercial, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, and Warehousing teams to align import activities with business requirements and inventory needs.Develop and maintain import KPIs, dashboards, and management reports, providing regular updates on shipment status, risks, compliance matters, and operational performance.Negotiate commercial and service agreements with logistics and clearance partners to ensure cost competitiveness and service excellence.Key Performance IndicatorsOn-time shipment arrival rateCustoms clearance lead timeStock availability of imported SKUsFreight cost optimizationDemurrage and detention cost reductionImport documentation accuracySupplier service level adherenceRegulatory compliance rateImport cost as a percentage of landed costQualificationsBachelor's Degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Administration, International Trade, or a related field.Professional certifications in Supply Chain, Logistics, or International Trade are preferred.4-7 years of experience in import operations, international logistics, or supply chain management.Minimum 3 years in a managerial or supervisory role.Strong experience importing food products, FMCG products, ingredients, packaging materials, or related categories.Experience dealing with NFSA, Customs, GOEIC, and food import regulations in Egypt.Experience working with international suppliers across Europe, North America, Middle East, and Asia is highly preferred.Strong knowledge of Incoterms.Understanding of customs regulations, duties, tariffs, and trade compliance.Expertise in import documentation and clearance procedures.Advanced Excel and reporting skills.ERP experience (SAP, Oracle, Odoo, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar).Strong analytical and cost management capabilities.Preferred Industry BackgroundCandidates with experience from one or more of the following industries will be strongly preferred:Food RetailFMCGFood & Beverage ManufacturingFood DistributionConsumer GoodsSpecialty Food ImportsHospitality Supply ChainsInternational Trading Companies