There are both similarities and differences between merchandisers in manufacturing enterprises and merchandisers in foreign trade companies. The similarities are mainly in the following aspects:
(1) In terms of merchandiser targets, both are centered on foreign trade orders, tracking production progress, product quality and quantity to ensure that the goods under the order can arrive at the place required by the contract or letter of credit on time, in accordance with quality and quantity;
(2) In terms of the knowledge structure of merchandisers, they not only need foreign trade knowledge, customs knowledge, commodity inspection knowledge, transportation knowledge, insurance knowledge, commodity knowledge, foreign language and other language communication skills, but also need to have the ability to use computer application software (such as Word, Excel, etc.);
(3) In terms of the scope of merchandisers, it involves pre-order merchandisers, mid-order merchandisers and full-process merchandisers;
(4) In terms of the essentials of merchandisers, a qualified foreign trade merchandiser must have professional knowledge of a certain commodity, be proficient in the production and operation essentials of the commodity, be able to analyze and solve problems arising in the production process, coordinate the interests of all parties (departments), properly handle the quality problems of the commodity, and meet and achieve the requirements of the process order and the customer.
The main differences are:
(1) The enterprises they work for are different. The merchandisers of foreign trade companies are involved in more product varieties and settlement methods than the merchandisers of manufacturing companies, and they are in contact with a wider range of enterprises than the merchandisers of manufacturing companies. The main content of merchandising is somewhat different from that of the merchandisers of manufacturing companies.
(2) The emphasis of merchandising work is different. The merchandisers of manufacturing companies focus on production merchandising, that is, tracking the quality and quantity of goods in the production process. Therefore, the quality requirements for merchandisers of manufacturing companies focus on product knowledge, process quality, general foreign language communication skills, and computer application software. Since the ability of manufacturing companies to engage in foreign trade activities is not as good as that of professional foreign trade companies, merchandisers of manufacturing companies often have to work in several positions. Therefore, the requirement for foreign trade merchandisers is to be able to perform the work of merchandising throughout the process.
As far as the actual situation of my country’s import and export trade is concerned, whether it is merchandisers of foreign trade companies or merchandisers of manufacturing companies, there are certain differences in work between different companies. Although the division of labor is sometimes vague, the goal is clear.