Barcelona City Council | Capital humà

Today companies increasingly internationalise their business's activities in order to expand their markets, resulting in an increased demand for foreign trade engineers. These professionals typically work in departments of marketing, logistics, information technology, human resources, business management, etc. They may also work in the management of a company's overseas branches and subsidiaries.
The main function of these professionals is to carry out purchasing and sales operations and manage logistics, warehousing and distribution operations and/or ensure the reliability of a company's international operations.

• Carry out purchase and sales operations of any type worldwide. To do so, they engage in negotiations in accordance with the cyclical and structural characteristics of the country with which they are doing business and see to it that business transactions are carried out pursuant to prevailing regulations.
• Manage logistics, warehousing and international goods distribution operations and ensure that these operations are carried out in a way which ensures the integrity of merchandise and makes rational use of available resources and space.
• Ensure the reliability of economic, legal and contractual aspects of international operations by using different financial schemes for carrying out foreign trade operations and performing related administrative duties.
• Plan the financing of international merchandise transactions, analyse different methods and possible financial risks of these operations and manage the complete process in a secure way for the company and its customers.
• Negotiate with customers, suppliers and other parties the most suitable collection or payment method for their company and obtain the most beneficial financing schemes.

Regulated training and graduates

• Certificat de Professionalitat de la Família Comerç i Màrqueting: Màrqueting i compravenda internacional (Nivell 3)
• Certificat de Professionalitat de la Família Comerç i Màrqueting: Gestió comercial de vendes (Nivell 3)
• Certificat de Professionalitat de la Família Comerç i Màrqueting: Gestió de màrqueting i comunicació (Nivell 3)
• Certificat de Professionalitat de la Família Comerç i Màrqueting: Assistència a la investigació de mercats (Nivell 3)
• Certificat de Professionalitat de la Família Comerç i Màrqueting: Gestió i controls de l'aprovisionament (Nivell 3)
• Certificat de Professionalitat de la Família Comerç i Màrqueting: Organització i gestió de magatzems (Nivell 3)
• Certificat de Professionalitat de la Família Comerç i Màrqueting: Organització del tranport i la distribució (Nivell 3)
• Professional Training Course(s) in the field of Trade and Marketing - Advanced Level: Transport and logistics
• Professional Training Course(s) in the field of Trade and Marketing - Advanced Level: International Trade
• Grau: Estudis internacionals d'economia i empresa/International Business Economics
• Grau: Negocis i màrqueting internacionals
• Grau: Negocis internacionals

Complementary training

International trade engineers do not require continuous professional development. However, it is advisable that they have a master's degree in international business, trade or retail. In Catalonia the International Trade Business School affiliated with Pompeu Fabra University offers training in this area.
Moreover, companies normally offer refresher training to keep these professionals abreast of regulations in countries with whom the company does business.

Other specific skills

English language ability is essential and, depending on the target market, knowledge of other languages such as French, German or Chinese may be advisable. Also essential is knowledge of Incoterms, international trade terms accepted by all governments and parties involved in international freight transport. These terms cover the most common situations arising in the international trade, transport and delivery of goods and aim to establish definite criteria for the distribution of costs and transfer of risks between buyers and sellers entering into international sales contracts.
In addition, expertise in ICT and extant tools that support internationalisation enhance the value of these professionals. This is especially true in the case of SMEs, which often have significant ICT deficiencies in areas related to internationalisation and tend to use import-export programmes designed specifically for them.

Learning and use of knowledge: Level 1

Planning and organisation: Level 2

Negotiation: Level 2

Flexibility and change management: Level 2

Customer orientation: Level 2

Networking: Level 2

Management

The organisation, administration and control of a company or entity are the main interests of people related to the management field. Activities included in this field of interest vary from effective resource management, feasibility analyses and solving business problems to the development of skills and fostering of motivation in relation to human resources. Knowledge regarding specific techniques of strategic administration and business management are required to carry out these activities.

Logistics

The planning, organisation, control and carrying out of logistics and administrative tasks are the focus of people who work in the field of logistics. Activities in the field of logistics include the organisation and planning of supply, storage, production and distribution systems, taking inventories, controlling stock and estimating production, as well as the organisation and/or carrying out of the administrative tasks necessary for the implementation of these activities. Knowledge of organisation, control and management techniques is essential for carrying out these activities.

Import manager

Documentalist

Director of Operations Planning

Vessel traffic agent

Bonded warehouse manager

• Work hours

  Morning and afternoon shifts with a total of 40 hours per week. Schedule flexibility is necessary since it is a professional profile that requires frequent travel.

• Salary

  Remuneration is calculated consistent with proven experience. Earnings are between €35,000 and €60,000 gross per annum. This considerable difference is due to the fact that remuneration varies depending on one's responsibilities and the company¿s turnover.