1. Position Overview
The Product & Sourcing Specialist – ANZ Export is responsible for managing export-focused products sourced from Australia and New Zealand, developing and maintaining supplier relationships, and coordinating the preparation of product and export documentation.
The role supports the end-to-end product process, from supplier identification and product assessment through to product approval, export readiness and shipment documentation.
The successful candidate will work closely with suppliers, internal product and compliance teams, logistics providers and overseas commercial teams to ensure that products are commercially viable, properly documented and delivered in accordance with agreed timelines and customer requirements.
This is primarily a product, sourcing and export coordination role. It is not a direct sales position, although the employee will work closely with sales and overseas market teams to understand product and customer requirements.
2. Key Responsibilities2.1 Product Management
- Manage and maintain the ANZ export product portfolio.
- Maintain accurate product master data, including: product descriptions; product specifications; ingredients and allergen information; packaging formats; carton configurations; shelf life; storage requirements; minimum order quantities; production lead times; supplier costs; and relevant certificates and supporting documents.
- Coordinate product samples for internal assessment, customer evaluation and market testing.
- Track product-development and export-readiness projects from initial enquiry through to approval and first shipment.
- Coordinate product specifications, packaging, labels, artwork and supporting sales materials with suppliers and internal teams.
- Ensure that approved product information is complete, accurate and available to relevant stakeholders.
- Monitor changes to product formulations, packaging, specifications, pricing and supply conditions.
- Maintain product-development schedules, approval records and project-status reports.
- Support the review of product cost, gross margin, commercial feasibility and market suitability.
- Assist with the review of SKU performance and recommend product improvement, replacement or discontinuation where appropriate.
- Ensure product changes are communicated to logistics, compliance, finance, sales and overseas market teams in a timely manner.
2.2 Supplier Identification and Development
- Identify suitable food and FMCG suppliers across Australia and New Zealand based on export-market requirements.
- Research potential suppliers through industry databases, referrals, trade exhibitions, online research and direct market engagement.
- Contact prospective suppliers and collect information regarding: product range; pricing; minimum order quantities; production capacity; lead times; export experience; quality systems; certifications; payment terms; and supply capability.
- Prepare and manage requests for quotation and product-information requests.
- Compare supplier proposals and prepare structured supplier-comparison reports.
- Coordinate supplier samples, product testing and internal approval processes.
- Support supplier onboarding and ensure that required supplier documents are collected and maintained.
- Work with the Product Management and Food Safety Compliance team to review supplier qualifications and product compliance documentation.
- Assist with commercial negotiations relating to: product pricing; minimum order quantities; payment terms; production lead times; packaging; exclusivity; product customisation; and supply commitments.
- Build and maintain professional relationships with key suppliers.
- Monitor supplier performance in areas such as quality, pricing, delivery, responsiveness and documentation accuracy.
- Maintain an approved supplier database and supplier-performance records.
- Escalate material supplier, quality, delivery or documentation issues to the relevant manager.
2.3 Export Documentation and Shipment Coordination
- Prepare, collect and coordinate export-related documents for each shipment.
- Ensure that shipment documentation is complete, consistent and submitted within required timelines.
- Documents may include, where applicable: purchase orders; pro forma invoices; commercial invoices; packing lists; product specifications; carton and pallet information; batch and lot details; production and expiry-date information; certificates of origin; health certificates; veterinary certificates; phytosanitary certificates; manufacturer declarations; free-sale certificates; ingredient and allergen declarations; temperature and cold-chain records; and other customer or destination-market documents.
- Coordinate document requirements with suppliers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, logistics providers and internal compliance personnel.
- Confirm that product names, quantities, weights, carton counts, batch details and consignee information are consistent across all shipment documents.
- Maintain shipment checklists and document-control records.
- Follow up with suppliers and service providers to ensure all required documents are received before shipment.
- Support applications for export certificates and government-issued documents where required.
- Coordinate shipping instructions and provide supporting information to freight forwarders and customs brokers.
- Assist with the resolution of documentation discrepancies, shipment delays and customer-document requests.
- Maintain a complete and traceable electronic document file for each export shipment.
- Ensure preventable documentation errors do not result in shipment delays, additional charges or customer claims.
- Refer final regulatory, customs-classification and destination-market compliance decisions to the relevant compliance adviser, customs broker or authorised internal approver.
2.4 Product Costing and Commercial Support
- Collect and maintain supplier quotations, freight assumptions, packaging costs and other product-cost information.
- Support landed-cost calculations for proposed export products.
- Prepare product-cost comparison and commercial-feasibility summaries.
- Assist internal teams with product-pricing information and cost updates.
- Track cost changes and notify relevant stakeholders of material impacts.
- Support product-margin reviews and cost-improvement initiatives.
- Identify opportunities to improve pricing, packaging efficiency, order quantities and supply terms.
2.5 Cross-Functional Coordination
- Work closely with: Product Management; Food Safety and Compliance; Procurement; International Logistics; Finance; Warehouse Operations; Sales; Marketing; and overseas market teams.
- Coordinate project timelines, responsibilities and outstanding actions across different functions.
- Prepare regular product, supplier and shipment-status reports.
- Participate in product-review, supplier-review and export-planning meetings.
- Communicate product and shipment risks early and propose practical solutions.
- Ensure internal stakeholders receive accurate and timely updates.
2.6 Market and Product Research
- Conduct research into product, category and supplier opportunities across Australia and New Zealand.
- Monitor market trends, product innovation, pricing and competitor activities.
- Collect feedback from overseas sales teams, distributors and customers regarding product requirements.
- Support the development of products suitable for target export markets.
- Identify potential opportunities for: private-label products; customised products; market-specific packaging; export-exclusive products; and locally sourced Australian and New Zealand products.
- Prepare product-opportunity summaries and supplier recommendations for management review.
3. Essential Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in one of the following areas:
- Food Science;
- Supply Chain Management;
- Procurement;
- International Business;
- Commerce;
- Business Administration; or
- a related discipline.
- At least 2 years of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas:
- product coordination;
- product management;
- sourcing;
- procurement;
- supplier management;
- export operations;
- import/export documentation;
- food or FMCG; or
- international logistics.
- Experience communicating with suppliers and coordinating product or procurement projects.
- Understanding of basic export documentation and international shipment processes.
- Strong attention to detail and a high level of document accuracy.
- Ability to manage multiple products, suppliers and projects simultaneously.
- Strong organisational, follow-up and time-management skills.
- Ability to analyse and compare supplier quotations, costs, minimum order quantities and commercial terms.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Ability to prepare professional reports, product summaries and supplier-comparison documents.
- Competency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional and international teams.
- Full legal working rights in Australia.
- Willingness to travel to suppliers, factories, warehouses and trade events when required.
4. Preferred Requirements
The following experience and capabilities will be highly regarded:
- Experience in the food, beverage, FMCG, foodservice, retail or agricultural-products industry.
- Experience working with Australian or New Zealand food manufacturers, producers or exporters.
- Experience sourcing or managing products such as:
- meat and seafood;
- dairy products;
- honey;
- frozen foods;
- sauces and seasonings;
- packaged foods;
- beverages; or
- other export-focused food products.
- Knowledge of food specifications, allergens, shelf life, packaging and storage requirements.
- Experience coordinating certificates of origin, health certificates, veterinary certificates or other export documents.
- Familiarity with Incoterms, freight forwarding, customs-clearance processes and international logistics.
- Experience with temperature-controlled or cold-chain products.
- Experience working with Asian export markets, distributors or customers.
- Experience with ERP, product-information management, procurement or document-management systems.
- Knowledge of supplier quality systems such as HACCP, SQF, BRCGS, ISO 22000 or similar standards.
- Mandarin language capability is highly preferred due to regular communication with internal stakeholders and Asian export markets.
- Korean, Japanese or another relevant Asian-language capability would be an advantage.
- A valid Australian driver’s licence.
5. Key Competencies
The successful candidate should demonstrate the following competencies:
- Product ownership: Takes responsibility for maintaining accurate and complete product information.
- Supplier-development capability: Can identify, assess and develop suitable suppliers.
- Attention to detail: Reviews documents carefully and identifies inconsistencies before shipment.
- Project coordination: Can manage multiple timelines, actions and stakeholders.
- Commercial awareness: Understands product cost, margin, minimum order quantities and supply terms.
- Problem-solving: Responds quickly and practically to product, supplier and documentation issues.
- Communication: Communicates clearly with suppliers, internal teams and overseas stakeholders.
- Accountability: Follows tasks through to completion and escalates risks early.
- Adaptability: Can work across different product categories and export markets.
- Cross-cultural collaboration: Works effectively with stakeholders from different countries and business environments.
Pay: $85,000.00 – $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
