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Customs Manager
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Confidential Opportunity: Customs Manager
Function: Supply Chain
About the Role
A leading FMCG organisation is seeking an experienced Customs Manager to take responsibility for customs compliance and provide expert guidance across its UK supply chain.
The role will ensure the business meets all relevant customs and international trade requirements while supporting effective commercial decision-making and business growth. You will work closely with internal stakeholders and external customs agents to manage risk, control costs and drive best practice across import and export activity.
This is a key role for an experienced customs professional who can combine strong technical knowledge with a practical, commercially focused approach.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide expert guidance on customs regulations and international trade requirements, supporting the business with import and export decisions relating to raw materials and finished goods.
- Manage relationships with external customs agents and brokers, ensuring compliance, minimising risk and achieving cost-effective transactions.
- Monitor and control customs-related expenditure, working with stakeholders to ensure costs are understood and effectively managed.
- Ensure all import and export procedures are followed and that the business remains compliant with applicable regulations.
- Work closely with Logistics and Customer Services to ensure export orders are fulfilled accurately and on time.
- Partner with Procurement and Supply Planning to ensure import requirements and customs regulations are fully understood and adhered to.
- Drive best practice and continuous improvement across customs processes and procedures.
- Provide clear, practical guidance to stakeholders and contribute to effective business decision-making.
- Support the wider Supply Chain team in achieving relevant KPIs and operational objectives.
- Maintain strong communication and collaboration across functions and with external partners.
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Experience & Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in a relevant discipline such as Supply Chain, Logistics, International Trade or Business, or equivalent professional experience.
- Demonstrable experience in customs, trade compliance or international logistics, ideally within FMCG, food manufacturing or a similar environment.
- Practical knowledge of UK and EU customs procedures, including tariff classification, rules of origin and import/export documentation.
- Experience managing third-party customs agents or brokers.
- Strong understanding of UK, EU and international customs regulations and their practical application.
Desirable
- Customs-related professional qualification, such as BIFA, IOE&IT Diploma in Customs or equivalent.
- Experience with Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status and customs duty relief schemes, including inward/outward processing and customs warehousing.
- Experience working with post-Brexit UK/EU trade arrangements.
- Experience within a multi-site manufacturing or FMCG environment.
Key Competencies
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Strong analytical and attention-to-detail skills, with the ability to interpret complex regulations and translate them into practical business guidance.
- Confident stakeholder management and the ability to influence colleagues across Logistics, Procurement, Supply Planning and Customer Services.
- Strong commercial awareness, particularly around cost control and customs-related expenditure.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical regulatory matters to non-specialists.
- Strong supplier and vendor management capabilities, particularly when working with customs agents and brokers.
- A proactive, risk-aware approach with a strong focus on compliance and continuous improvement.
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines and stakeholders.
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Scope of the Role
The role is responsible for monitoring and controlling customs-related expenditure, including duties, agent fees and associated costs, while supporting stakeholders in making commercially sound decisions.
There are no direct reports. The role operates cross-functionally, providing guidance to colleagues across Supply Chain and managing relationships with external customs agents and brokers.
Working Environment
The position is a Hybrid role based at a site in the Peterborough area, with regular collaboration with Supply Chain and Operations teams.
Occasional travel to other UK sites and external customs agent or broker locations may be required, but travel is not expected to be a routine or frequent part of the role.
Confidentiality: This opportunity is being handled on a confidential basis. Further information regarding the organisation, exact location and reporting structure will be shared with shortlisted candidates.
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