Trade Compliance Senior Manager

Do you have extensive trade compliance experience within the aerospace or defence sector? Are you confident navigating ITAR, EAR and UK defence export controls? Would you like the opportunity to build a trade compliance framework from the ground up and become a key UK subject matter expert?

Here at GXO, we are creating an exciting new opportunity to support our expansion into the UK aerospace and defence sector. This is a high-profile role where you will help shape and embed robust trade compliance processes across our defence operations. Working closely with senior stakeholders across Compliance, Quality, Security and Operations, you will have the autonomy to develop scalable processes, training and governance that support a major area of strategic growth. The role is largely remote, with travel across the UK and Europe when required, including meetings in Northampton approximately once or twice per month.

Pay, benefits and more: We’re looking to offer a salary of £80,000 to £90,000, depending on experience, per annum, and 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays). Your benefits package includes a company car or car allowance of £595 per calendar month, a company sponsored pension scheme, private medical & dental insurance, a 24/7 online GP service, life assurance and a fully comprehensive employee assistance programme. You’ll also have access to our MyBenefits platform offering a variety of high street discounts, a cycle to work scheme, cashback cards, a saving scheme and much more!

What you’ll do on a typical day:

• Develop and implement effective UK trade compliance processes, controls and monitoring procedures across our defence operations
• Lead compliance activity covering ITAR, EAR, export licences, UK Dual-Use and Military List goods, Restricted Party Screening and sanctions
• Create a scalable defence compliance playbook and governance framework, identifying gaps and redesigning processes where needed
• Deliver practical training and day-to-day guidance to operational teams, project managers, procurement, security and commercial colleagues
• Act as the key UK subject matter expert, supporting audits, investigations, corrective actions, customer requirements and government inspections

What you need to succeed at GXO:

• Significant trade compliance experience within the aerospace and/or defence sector, including experience supporting complex UK defence contracts
• Strong, hands-on knowledge of ITAR and EAR regulated goods, UK and US export controls, sanctions and defence compliance programmes
• Experience managing export licences, authorisations, controlled goods and Restricted Party Screening within a highly regulated environment
• A confident and credible communication style, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders across Compliance, Quality, Security and Operations
• A proactive, detail-focused and process-driven approach, with the confidence to build and shape frameworks rather than simply maintain existing processes
• Experience within logistics, supply chain, 3PL or multi-country defence programmes would be beneficial

If you are ready to use your expertise to shape trade compliance within a growing and strategically important sector, we would love to hear from you.