Export Sales Directors are a company's ambassador abroad. They define and coordinate the export policy and are in charge of the strategy to put in place and the results achieved.

They are educated to post-graduate level in business (e.g. MBA) and already have vast experience and the necessary skills in languages, sales, marketing and team leadership. They are generally over 30 years of age.

They are excellent thinkers, communicators and negotiators. Export Sales Managers are able to take a step back from a situation and anticipate future considerations. They are quick-thinking and persuasive and attentive and available to both their customers and team. They are also adaptable and persevering. They must have a firm grounding in logistics and competitive intelligence.

Regional Export Managers supervise the department in charge of export sales. They analyze and prescribe actions to carry out in their region, develop and maintain business contacts in several countries and are generally based in one country, but travel about a great deal.

They must be educated to post-graduate level in business (e.g. MBA) and have international expertise with experience working abroad (internship or other). They must have knowledge of logistics and competitive intelligence.

They should be mobile and capable of adapting to different cultural environments. They are diplomatic and a good manager of people. They need to have good business sense and language skills. They are governed by a strong code of ethics, autonomous, tenacious and optimistic.

Export Staff act as a permanent point of contact with foreign customers and are the linchpin of the international department. They keep track of orders in terms of administration, logistics, finance and legal and commercial aspects and coordinate communication between the various international parties in the company.

They are educated to graduate level and have a sound understanding of international techniques. They also have good practical knowledge of foreign languages, diplomacy and the export culture.

They must be methodical, pleasant, convincing, dependable and proactive. They must show diplomacy to customers, suppliers and every department in the company.

Export Sales Engineers fulfil a technical role. They manage budgets, prepare quotations and assure the financial follow-up, supervise outsourcing and see projects through from start to completion.

They must have technical qualifications (graduate level) complemented by commercial training (2-3 years).

They should be good at negotiating and synthesizing information and persevering. They must be able to work independently, take initiative and be able to control their environment.

International Traders are merchants or brokers. They manage a business portfolio and hold management control responsibilities. Public relations are an important part of this position.

They are educated to post-graduate level in business, understand international finance and must be able to manage commercial aspects.

They must be able to see each task through to completion and make decisions quickly. They should also have an interest in international relations. They are extremely rigorous and excellent communicators. They should also be able to withstand stress well.

International Buyers procure products and services for companies by looking for suppliers that offer the best price/quality/lead time ratio. They develop specifications, respond to calls for bids and carry out any related studies. They put different suppliers in competition, negotiate terms and conditions and execute purchasing contracts.

They are educated to post-graduate level in a commercial subject and are qualified in international business management. They have excellent international knowledge in the areas of business, law and marketing. They also have excellent foreign language skills and logistics knowledge.

They must have a good understanding of international markets. They are also excellent negotiators, rigorous and well organized and analytical. They must be mobile and have a sound sense of international trade.

This function is similar to that of export director, except that the subsidiary manager is expected to have a greater knowledge of management and geopolitics. They head up and manage a foreign subsidiary from a commercial, financial, marketing, legal and HR perspective.

They are educated to post-graduate level in a business-related subject and have excellent management skills. They also have professional experience abroad and a sales background. They have an excellent understanding of different cultures, know how to manage a team and understand the inner workings of the supply chain and international relations.

These managers are capable of assessing political and economic risks. They must be able to act as the company ambassador. They need to be mobile and available, hugely dedicated, well organized, rigorous and have a global approach. They are autonomous and capable of adapting to situations and cultural differences.