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Customs Operations & Compliance Manager

New
  • Location: London
  • Salary: £290 - £300 per day
  • Job Type:Contract

Posted about 7 hours ago

  • Sector: finance
  • Type: hybrid
  • Contact: Jade White
  • Contact Email: jade.white@handle.co.uk
  • Duration: 3 months
  • Start Date: ASAP
  • Expiry Date: 16 January 2026
  • Job Ref: BBBH112940

We're working with an international retail business, seeking an experienced Customs Operations & Compliance Manager to lead cross-border customs activity across the UK and EU for a 3 month contract. Main responsibilities will include duty management, freight coordination, and supporting a high-volume consumer goods operation with significant import values.

This role sits within the logistics and supply chain function and plays a critical part in ensuring goods move efficiently between suppliers, distribution centres, and sales channels. The ideal candidate must have a background in retail or consumer goods environments.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Full accountability for customs clearance processes across UK-EU trade flows
  • Management of duty management systems, customs entries, and month-end close
  • Oversight of bonded warehouse arrangements, CFSP, AEO and related approvals
  • Coordinating with Finance and Tax teams on duty, VAT, freight forecasting and reporting
  • Liaising with global freight forwarders and transport partners to ensure smooth end-to-end movement
  • Ensuring all vendor documentation, licences and import approvals are accurate and compliant
  • Producing regular reporting on costs, volumes, risks and operational performance
  • Building strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external industry partners
  • Ensuring compliance with HR, Health & Safety and site operating procedures
  • Managing budgets, resources and financial targets for the function
  • Maintaining inventory security and audit-ready processes (SOX, AEO, Risk, Security)

Key Requirements:

  • Significant experience in customs operations, duty management and freight forwarding
  • Strong knowledge of customs procedures, trade compliance and import legislation
  • Experience working with high-volume imports and warehouse/inbound operations
  • Experience working cross-culturally with UK, EU, US and Far East partners
  • Proven people management experience
  • Confident user of customs, import and duty management systems

Handle Recruitment is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.