International Customs & Logistics Manager

Description:

International Customs and Logistics Manager
Permanent Position
Rapidly growing business
Birmingham

The International Customs and Logistics Manager is responsible for the strategic management, governance, and operational oversight of the Company's customs compliance framework and third-party logistics partners across the UK, Europe, Taiwan, USA, Canada and Australia. The role primarily ensures the accurate classification, valuation, and declaration of goods, the effective management of duty and tariff obligations, and full compliance with all applicable customs regulations and trade agreements. Alongside this, the role oversees the efficient, compliant, and cost-effective storage, distribution, and movement of products through international borders across both Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) and Business-to-Business (B2B) channels. By integrating robust customs governance with strong logistics coordination, the role minimises customs-related delays and supply chain risks, delivers exceptional customer service, and supports the Company's global growth strategy.

As a key member of the Global Logistics team, this role leads the end-to-end management of customs operations and international logistics partnerships, including tariff strategy, trade compliance programme development, customs broker oversight, and support with network design, tendering, partner selection, onboarding, and ongoing performance management. The role also oversees outbound freight from the UK distribution centre to international markets, with primary responsibility for customs compliance, export and import documentation, duty optimisation, and rules of origin management, alongside carrier performance and seamless distribution across all regions.

Operating within GDP and other applicable regulatory environments, the International Customs and Logistics Manager ensures customs processes and logistics operations consistently meet quality, compliance, sustainability, and service standards. The role drives continuous improvement in customs procedures, regulatory adherence, and operational resilience, while maintaining scalable logistics frameworks to support the Company's expanding international footprint.

Key Responsibilities Customs Compliance & Trade Operations

Lead the development and execution of the Company's international customs compliance strategy, ensuring full adherence to customs regulations, trade agreements, sanctions, export controls, and country-specific import requirements across all operating markets.

Manage the accurate classification, valuation, and declaration of goods, ensuring correct tariff application, duty optimisation, and rules of origin compliance across all product lines and territories.

Oversee customs broker relationships and performance, ensuring timely and compliant customs clearance, export and import documentation, and border processing across all regions.

Ensure all logistics partners remain audit-ready and compliant with customs, GDP, transport, health and safety, quality, and country-specific regulatory requirements.

Monitor changes to international trade regulations, tariff regimes, free trade agreements, and sanctions frameworks, proactively advising the business on risks, opportunities, and required operational adjustments.

Support compliance with export controls, denied party screening, and country-specific import licensing requirements in all markets the Company operates from.

Support logistics workstreams for customs continuity planning and trade risk mitigation activities, as required.

Logistics Operations & Partner Management

Responsible for the operational management of the Company's logistics providers supporting the UK and international markets, with a focus on ensuring customs-compliant supply chain performance.

Support the development and execution of the international logistics strategy to support business growth, customer service, and operational excellence.

Contribute to the sourcing, tendering, evaluation, contract negotiation, onboarding, implementation, and exit management of logistics service providers.

Manage the operational and contractual performance of logistics providers, ensuring agreed service levels, KPIs, SLAs, budgets, and compliance obligations are consistently achieved.

Oversee domestic UK distribution alongside international outbound freight, ensuring efficient transportation, customs compliance, export documentation, carrier performance, and delivery execution.

Ensure exceptional customer service across both D2C and B2B fulfilment models while maintaining industry-leading OTIF (On Time In Full) performance.

Act as the primary operational escalation point for customs and logistics issues across domestic and international operations, coordinating timely resolution with internal stakeholders and external partners.

Also

Inventory, Cost & Performance Management

Stakeholder Engagement & Cross-Functional Collaboration

Continuous Improvement, Technology & Sustainability

Experience and Qualifications

Significant experience in international customs operations, trade compliance, or a related customs-focused role, ideally within a multi-market or global business.

Experience working within a manufacturing business, ideally within a defense environment and working knowledge of ITAR

Strong working knowledge of customs classification (HS/CN codes), customs valuation methods, rules of origin, and duty relief or suspension schemes.

Demonstrable experience managing customs broker relationships and overseeing import/export declarations across multiple jurisdictions.

Familiarity with international trade regulations, sanctions regimes, export controls, denied party screening, and free trade agreement utilization.

Experience supporting or leading customs audits, compliance reviews, and regulatory inspections.

A relevant professional qualification in customs or international trade is desirable (e.g., CITF, ICS Certificate/Diploma in Customs Compliance, or equivalent).

Experience in international logistics or supply chain management, including third-party logistics (3PL) partner management across multiple regions.

Experience contributing to logistics tendering, contract negotiation, onboarding, and ongoing performance management of service providers desirable

Understanding of domestic and international freight operations, warehousing, distribution, and fulfilment across D2C and B2B channels.

Experience monitoring and managing logistics budgets, KPIs, SLAs, and OTIF performance.

Benefits

10% matched pension

Flexible working

25 days plus bank holidays annual leave

Hybrid working

Health care scheme

Due to security clearances and restrictions, candidates must hold a British passport