About the Job



About the Role

Our client, a leading international manufacturing organisation, is seeking a Senior Customs Specialist to take ownership of customs, export control, and international trade compliance activities within a complex industrial environment.
This role sits within the broader supply chain and compliance framework, working closely with operational teams, senior business stakeholders, external authorities, customs brokers, and international trade compliance functions. The position plays a key role in ensuring regulatory compliance while supporting efficient cross-border trade operations.
The successful candidate will lead customs and export control processes, oversee regulatory approvals and authorisations, strengthen internal controls, support audit activities, and contribute to digitalisation and process improvement initiatives across the trade compliance landscape.


Responsibilities

• Ensure compliant and audit-ready execution of import, export, and customs activities
• Manage customs authorisations, special procedures, and regulatory approvals
• Provide subject matter expertise on customs, international trade, and export control regulations
• Deliver training and guidance to business stakeholders on trade compliance requirements
• Conduct export control assessments, goods classification, and restricted party screening activities
• Apply for and maintain export licences and other regulatory permissions
• Develop and enhance internal control frameworks covering customs, export controls, and international trade compliance
• Perform tariff classification, origin determination, preferential origin reviews, and origin calculations
• Support internal and external audits, regulatory inspections, and compliance reviews
• Translate regulatory changes into practical business processes and controls
• Act as a key contact for customs authorities, external service providers, and international stakeholders
• Support customs and trade compliance systems while contributing to transformation and digitalisation projects
• Serve as the designated customs compliance representative for the organisation

About You

• Degree qualification or commercial apprenticeship with additional qualifications in customs, international trade, or export control
• Significant experience within customs, international trade, or export control compliance
• Experience gained within manufacturing, industrial, engineering, or multinational corporate environments is highly desirable
• Strong knowledge of the Union Customs Code (UCC) and broader EU customs regulations
• Solid understanding of export control legislation and trade compliance requirements
• Experience with preferential origin rules, customs valuation, tariff classification, and origin determination
• Knowledge of customs authorisations and special customs procedures
• Practical experience using customs software, ERP platforms, and SAP environments
• Exposure to compliance frameworks, control environments, and regulatory governance processes
• Experience supporting system implementations, process optimisation, or transformation programmes
• Fluency in German and English, both written and spoken
• Proven ability to engage effectively with regulators, external partners, and senior internal stakeholders

Who This Role Would Suit

This opportunity would particularly suit professionals currently working within Customs Compliance, International Trade Compliance, Export Controls, Global Trade Management, Customs Operations, Trade Governance, or related regulatory functions who are seeking broader ownership, stakeholder exposure, and influence within a complex international manufacturing environment.