Project Logistics & Trade Compliance Manager in London

The Project Logistics & Trade Compliance Manager leads and governs all Project Logistics and Trade Compliance activities from tendering and mobilization through execution, demobilization and close-out. The role is accountable for safe, compliant, cost-effective and schedule-aligned movement of project materials and equipment, including international freight, customs clearance, temporary importation, heavy transport, marine logistics and final delivery to fabrication yards, vessels and job sites.

Responsibilities

• Strategy, Planning and Governance
  • Develop, maintain and implement the Project Logistics and Trade Compliance Execution Plan, aligned with the project execution strategy, contracting model, procurement plan, fabrication schedule and client requirements.
  • Define logistics routes, shipment methods, customs strategies, interfaces, responsibilities, controls, KPIs and reporting requirements for the full project lifecycle.
  • Develop project-specific logistics procedures and specifications, including packing, preservation, marking, shipping documentation, cargo readiness, lifting and transport requirements.
• Project Logistics Execution
  • Lead and coordinate domestic and international movement of project cargo by road, sea, air, rail and multimodal transport, including abnormal, heavy-lift, breakbulk, containerized and marine cargo.
  • Plan and control project mobilization, demobilization, return shipments and re-export closure.
  • Provide timely logistics status, risk, cost, schedule and compliance reporting within the project reporting cadence.
• Trade Compliance and Customs
  • Develop and manage customs-clearance strategies covering permanent import, temporary admission, bonded movements, duty and tax arrangements, exemptions, guarantees and re-export obligations.
  • Coordinate with customs brokers, freight forwarders, vessel agents, ports, authorities and internal compliance stakeholders to resolve shipment and regulatory issues.
  • Maintain auditable documentation and system records supporting classification, valuation, origin, licensing, customs declarations and shipment closure.
• Budget and Cost Control
  • Prepare logistics estimates, proposal execution concepts, schedules and person-hour requirements for tenders and project changes.
  • Establish and maintain logistics budgets.
  • Develop logistics enquiries and scopes of work; lead bid solicitation, technical and commercial clarification, evaluation, recommendation and award support.
• Supplier and Stakeholder Management
  • Select and manage approved freight forwarders, customs brokers, vessel agents, ports, carriers, heavy-haulage contractors, warehouses and specialist logistics providers.
  • Coordinate closely with Project Management, Supply Chain, Procurement, Expediting, Engineering, Construction, Fabrication, Marine, Quality, HSE, Finance, Legal, Security, clients and subcontractors.
• Leadership and Continuous Improvement
  • Lead, allocate and develop Project Logistics and Trade Compliance personnel across proposals and projects, ensuring clear roles, priorities and competent coverage.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Maritime Studies, Engineering, International Business, Business Administration or a related discipline; a relevant master’s degree is advantageous.
• Minimum 12 years of progressive project logistics, transport or supply-chain experience, including at least 5 years in a managerial or project-leadership role.
• Significant experience supporting offshore oil and gas, subsea, marine construction, EPC/EPCI, modularization or comparable capital projects.
• Demonstrated international freight-forwarding, customs-clearance, heavy-lift, abnormal transport, breakbulk and marine-logistics experience.
• Strong working knowledge of international import/export controls, customs principles, shipping documentation, Incoterms and logistics contracting.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder-management, negotiation, commercial-analysis and problem-solving capability.
• Highly analytical, with the ability to map processes, assess risk, develop options and drive measurable improvement.
• Effective written and verbal English; additional languages relevant to the project location are advantageous.
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural, multi-location and remote project organizations and to travel as required.
• Strong experience in Oil & Gas Projects in West / Austral Africa, including demonstrable in-country experience in these countries (ideally Nigeria or Namibia).