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Advanced Options
Functional Areas:

1. Finance

This functional area involves the import and export activities in relation to the function of financial management, costing, account management, and bills management. Practitioners should possess extensive knowledge of financial management and budgeting to formulate financial plans; develop budgets; execute costing; as well as handle related payment issues in import and export operations.

QF Level
  Code Name Credit
Level 1
Level 2
105166L2 Perform bookkeeping 4
105167L2 Handle trading and shipping documents 4
Level 3
105181L3 Use financial statements to understand business operations 3
105182L3 Handle petty cash 2
105183L3 Handle trading payments 4
105184L3 Handle commercial invoices and receipt of payments 4
Level 4
105223L4 Manage financial plans 6
105224L4 Provide accurate estimates to develop budgets 6
105225L4 Monitor budgets 5
105226L4 Review budgets 4
105227L4 Compile financial reports 5
105228L4 Conduct financial feasibility analysis 6
105229L4 Provide business advice on taxes and duties for international trade 5
105230L4 Plan resource requirements 4
105231L4 Identify cost of products 4
105232L4 Execute costing in import and export 4
105233L4 Master cost and price estimation of new products 6
105234L4 Manage cost deviation 5
105235L4 Conduct profit and cost analysis 6
105236L4 Conduct cost review upon project completion 4
Level 5
105309L5 Conduct financial planning assessment 7
105310L5 Manage cash flow 7
Level 6
105346L6 Formulate financial plans 9
Level 7

2. Warehousing and Logistics

This functional area involves the import and export activities in relation to the function of goods handling and distribution, warehousing, and logistics management. Practitioners should possess relevant knowledge, techniques and skills of logistics management to co-ordinate and assist in goods storage, receipt, and dispatch operations; identify customer transport requirements; implement integrated logistics support plans; as well as evaluate logistics performance. Moreover, they should also be capable of planning, designing, and monitoring inventory control procedures and warehousing operations.

QF Level
  Code Name Credit
Level 1
105164L1 Arrange goods deliveries 3
Level 2
105168L2 Identify and label explosive and dangerous goods 4
105169L2 Perform stock control procedures 4
105170L2 Carry out delivery operations 4
105171L2 Implement goods security operations 4
Level 3
105185L3 Conduct goods receipt 3
105186L3 Determine goods storage locations 3
105187L3 Execute goods labelling and packaging 4
105188L3 Handle dangerous goods/hazardous substances 4
105189L3 Carry out stock-taking 4
105190L3 Implement integrated logistics support 3
105191L3 Use basic statistics in workplace 2
105192L3 Co-ordinate goods loading/unloading operations 2
105193L3 Complete documentation in compliance with regulatory requirements 2
105194L3 Co-ordinate warehouse operations 3
105195L3 Co-ordinate fleet operations 4
105196L3 Organise goods receipt/dispatch/export 5
105197L3 Implement emergency response procedures 3
Level 4
105237L4 Establish and implement storage procedures for dangerous goods/hazardous substances 5
105238L4 Implement freight safety standards for dangerous goods/hazardous substances 4
105239L4 Plan and design inventory control procedures 5
105240L4 Review inventory plans 4
105241L4 Ascertain customer transport requirements 3
105242L4 Assess the logistics needs of different import/export transport modes 5
105243L4 Develop integrated logistics support plans 6
105244L4 Monitor performance of logistics service providers 4
105245L4 Apply quarantine procedures 4
105246L4 Monitor warehouse operations 4
105247L4 Organise goods operations 3
105248L4 Manage security of assets and facilities 4
Level 5
105311L5 Plan and design receiving and putaway process in warehouse operations 7
105312L5 Plan and design order picking and shipping process in warehouse operations 8
105313L5 Design material flow and warehouse layout in warehouse operations 8
105314L5 Design warehouse sizing 8
105315L5 Manage security of storage facilities 8
Level 6
105347L6 Manage goods security 8
Level 7

3. Sales and Merchandising

This functional area involves the import and export activities in relation to the function of sales and marketing management, customer relationship management, contract management, procurement, product management, etc. Practitioners should employ different knowledge, methods, and techniques relevant to sales and merchandising to deal with their existing and potential customers. Apart from having a fair understanding of their own trades with respect to their operations, services provided and operational procedures, practitioners should also possess certain knowledge about the market and their customers in order to assist in expanding the market, promoting products and services, and formulating strategies for competition. They should be able to communicate with and maintain a good relationship with their customers, to contact potential customers, and to manage and provide customer services.

QF Level
  Code Name Credit
Level 1
Level 2
105172L2 Update customers with latest company news 3
Level 3
105198L3 Provide customer service 2
105199L3 Review shipping and payment terms in international trade 4
105200L3 Evaluate on the use of export credit insurance 4
105201L3 Review insurance policy in international trade 4
105202L3 Display products and samples 2
105203L3 Issue product design briefs 2
105204L3 Prepare proposals on product design projects 2
105205L3 Develop product specification and product sample 4
105206L3 Produce quality control reports 3
105207L3 Perform selling of products 3
105208L3 Develop sales plans 3
Level 4
105249L4 Develop relationship with customers 4
105250L4 Manage customer service 6
105251L4 Handle complaints on product and service quality 3
105252L4 Review quality of customer service 5
105253L4 Implement marketing strategies 4
105254L4 Develop marketing plans 5
105255L4 Implement marketing plans 4
105256L4 Design marketing channels 5
105257L4 Manage distribution channels 6
105258L4 Use of brand-building tools 5
105259L4 Select export facilities and services 3
105260L4 Select import facilities and services 3
105261L4 Formulate plan for exhibitions 5
105262L4 Develop and implement promotion plans 6
105263L4 Conduct product presentation 3
105264L4 Develop product knowledge 3
105265L4 Assess product performance 5
105266L4 Provide recommendations to enhance or develop products 4
105267L4 Formulate product development plans 5
105268L4 Undertake design duties 7
105269L4 Determine market acceptance 5
105270L4 Co-ordinate manufacturing and design 5
105271L4 Apply and comply with intellectual property 5
105272L4 Enhance the appearance and structure of products 6
105273L4 Formulate production plans 5
105274L4 Manage production 6
105275L4 Manage product claim and rejection 4
105276L4 Implement product recalls 4
105277L4 Formulate sales estimates of products 4
105278L4 Manage sales teams 6
105279L4 Train sales teams 5
105280L4 Prepare contracts 6
105281L4 Monitor contracts 6
105282L4 "Renew, terminate, and conclude contracts" 6
105283L4 Formulate procurement plans 5
105284L4 Develop relationships with suppliers 4
Level 5
105316L5 Conduct marketing research 9
105317L5 Formulate marketing strategies 8
105318L5 Make branding decisions 7
105319L5 Select brand extension strategies 7
105320L5 Develop products 8
105321L5 Conduct contract negotiation 6
105322L5 Establish policies and procurement procedures 7
105323L5 Evaluate suppliers 7
105324L5 Formulate purchasing strategies 6
Level 6
105348L6 Formulate strategies for product development 8
Level 7

4. Operations Management

This functional area covers the formulation of operational policy and procedures, and the monitoring and control of their implementation. Practitioners should possess extensive knowledge of legal compliance, risk management, project management, international business management, and be conversant with the import and export operations. They should also be capable of drawing up operational policy, implementation plan, and mode of communication that can meet the organisational needs from higher perspectives such as organisational development, strategy formulation, management direction, overall risk management etc.

QF Level
  Code Name Credit
Level 1
105165L1 Understand import and export terminologies 3
Level 2
105173L2 Apply workplace security procedures 2
Level 3
105209L3 Monitor workplace security 3
105210L3 Verify insurance certificates and policies or related documents 3
105211L3 Use advanced English for business communications 3
105212L3 Use advanced Putonghua for business communications 3
105213L3 Demonstrate effective workplace communications 3
Level 4
105285L4 Define project scope 6
105286L4 Develop project implementation plans 6
105287L4 Execute project and monitor project performance 6
105288L4 Manage project closure 5
105289L4 Implement and monitor risk management plans 6
105290L4 Establish and implement security plans in workplace 7
105291L4 Establish and monitor occupational safety and health procedures 7
105292L4 Monitor international business performance 6
105293L4 Design export tactics 6
105294L4 Develop international sourcing tactics 7
105295L4 Implement standard operating procedures 5
105296L4 Develop and implement contingency plans 6
105297L4 Compile claims reports 5
Level 5
105325L5 Monitor compliance requirements 7
105326L5 Avoid infringement of intellectual property 5
105327L5 Measure loss exposures in conducting import and export activities 7
105328L5 Select appropriate risk management techniques 6
105329L5 Develop and review risk management plans 7
105330L5 Develop and implement security plans for freight transport 7
105331L5 Identify international business opportunities 6
105332L5 Formulate strategies for currency risk 7
105333L5 Formulate standard operating procedures 6
Level 6
105349L6 Formulate international crisis management strategies 9
Level 7

5. Shipping Documents and Management

The functional area of shipping documents and management involves understanding the functions, issuing systems, usage and handling skills for various shipping documents. In order to handle good import/export efficiently and legally, practitioners should be capable of understanding clearly the business flow of the import and export trade; carrying out the freight cost calculation; understanding and handling all kinds of import/export documents, letters of credit, and documentary bills; as well as possessing skills and knowledge relevant to customs declaration and clearance requirements and procedures.

QF Level
  Code Name Credit
Level 1
Level 2
105174L2 Handle electronic documents 3
105175L2 Handle air freight documents 3
105176L2 Handle sea freight documents 3
105177L2 Compile transport documents 3
105178L2 Arrange for customs declarations 3
105179L2 Handle customs clearance procedures 3
105180L2 Complete various kinds of computerised freight document templates 3
Level 3
105214L3 Manage multimodal transport 5
105215L3 Carry out freight cost calculations 3
105216L3 Manage documents for special goods 3
105217L3 Complete import/export documents 3
105218L3 Verify the required proofs and documents 3
105219L3 Apply specialist permit requirements for customs clearance 3
105220L3 Classify commodities for import and export 4
105221L3 Obtain licences for freight operations and make relevant administrative arrangements 3
Level 4
105298L4 Manage import and export activities 7
105299L4 Develop and implement e-commerce procedures 6
Level 5
Level 6
Level 7

6. Quality Management

This functional area covers the formulation and implementation of quality management schemes by employing the knowledge and skills of quality management. Practitioners should effectively monitor the implementation of these schemes with a view to achieving the results of low cost and high quality. They should also be capable of analysing, handling, and evaluating customers' feedback, as well as promoting and implementing quality management and staff training. Moreover, they should ensure that the quality of services meets the requirements of customers and relevant standards.

QF Level
  Code Name Credit
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
105222L3 Handle issues on quality of import and export services 4
Level 4
105300L4 Use international standards to assure quality 6
105301L4 Select measures to conduct performance analysis 6
105302L4 Promote quality management in workplace 5
105303L4 Conduct quality management audits 6
105304L4 Formulate and implement performance pledges 6
105305L4 Implement continuous process improvement 5
Level 5
105334L5 Manage continuous process improvement 7
105335L5 Develop and evaluate quality management training programmes 7
105336L5 Develop quality management systems for product development 8
105337L5 Establish benchmarks for continuous improvement 7
Level 6
Level 7

7. Strategic Management

The functional area covers the formulation and implementation of environmental, business development, operations, and innovation strategies by employing a range of knowledge and skills of strategic management. Practitioners should effectively implement the environmental procedures and monitor the environmental performance. Moreover, they should also be capable of selecting, formulating, and evaluating competitive and innovation strategies for business development in order to achieve sustainable competitive advantage.

QF Level
  Code Name Credit
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
105306L4 Assess environmental impacts of working procedures 6
105307L4 Implement environmental protection procedures 6
105308L4 Enhance awareness of environmental protection 4
Level 5
105338L5 Conduct environmental audits 9
105339L5 Formulate plans to implement company competitive strategy 8
105340L5 Carry out business feasibility study for business development 8
105341L5 Develop business plans 7
105342L5 Formulate local operations strategies 7
105343L5 Formulate regional operations strategies 7
105344L5 Formulate human resources management strategies 7
105345L5 Foster innovation in workplace 5
Level 6
105350L6 Generate innovative ideas to develop new products/services 8
105351L6 Formulate competitive strategy to enhance firm performance 8
Level 7
105352L7 Formulate strategy for corporate development 9
Note:
  1. The SCSs have been moderated by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) to ensure consistency of QF level across industries.
  2. The contents of all SCSs will be updated regularly.
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