At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global trade compliance and VAT operations for a cutting-edge gifting platform.
- Company: Join Reachdesk, a pioneering SaaS company transforming B2B gifting.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, stock options, and flexible PTO.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic, diverse environment with excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a strategic role while building genuine connections.
- Qualifications: 5-8+ years in global trade compliance with strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Global Trade Compliance Manager role at Reachdesk. Remote: candidates must be based in Portugal or the UK.
About Us
Reachdesk is the first truly end-to-end SaaS global gifting and swag platform, helping B2B companies create meaningful connections with prospects, customers, and employees while driving measurable ROI. We believe gifting is more than just a transaction: it’s about building genuine human connections that fuel business growth. Whether you’re engaging prospects, celebrating customers, or recognizing employees, our platform makes it easy to deliver personalized gifts, branded swag, and unforgettable event & brand experiences at scale through automated sourcing, storage, and global delivery. Trusted by many of the most recognized names in technology and SaaS, Reachdesk integrates effortlessly with your marketing, sales, and HRIS tech stack and is powered by a world-class team with hubs in New York, London, and Lisbon.
About the Role
The Global Trade Compliance Manager will lead all aspects of global trade compliance and VAT operations for Reachdesk’s business. You will ensure that our shipments, vendor partners, internal processes, and financial systems comply with international trade laws, customs regulations, VAT requirements, and import/export controls across all regions in which we operate. This is a strategic, high-impact role suited for someone who is detail-oriented, legally and commercially savvy, and capable of building scalable compliance frameworks across multiple jurisdictions.
Key responsibilities include the following:
- Global Trade & Customs Compliance
- Develop, implement, and maintain Reachdesk’s global trade compliance framework — covering import/export regulations, customs requirements, product classification (HS codes), country-of-origin, valuation, and duties.
- Manage relationships with customs brokers, carriers, 3PLs, and logistics partners to assure correct customs documentation and clearance.
- Handle compliance for restricted items, export controls, and sanctioned party screening (OFAC/EU/UK sanctions, embargoes, export control regimes).
- Monitor regulatory changes globally; proactively update policies and procedures to stay compliant.
- Oversee customs audits, customs holds, shipment inspections, and remediation when needed.
- VAT & Indirect Tax Compliance
- Own VAT compliance for all relevant jurisdictions: ensuring correct VAT registration, VAT invoicing, reclaim, reporting, and remittance depending on country and business model.
- Coordinate with Finance and Accounting to ensure VAT is correctly calculated on sales and shipments, and that VAT-related bookkeeping is accurate.
- Manage VAT filings, returns, compliance deadlines, intra-community sales/purchase documentation, and required filings (e.g. Intrastat or equivalent, where applicable).
- Build and maintain processes for VAT-related documentation (invoices, import VAT, duties, commercial invoices, proof-of-delivery/consumption where relevant).
- Stay abreast of changes to VAT laws and regulations across jurisdictions where Reachdesk operates; interpret and implement changes accordingly.
- Cross-Functional Partnership & Governance
- Work closely with Operations, Logistics, Marketplace, Product, Legal, and Finance teams to embed compliance into business operations and strategic decisions.
- Develop, implement, and maintain vendor compliance frameworks and controls to ensure vendors meet regulatory, legal, ethical, security, and contractual requirements.
- Build and maintain documentation: compliance policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), training materials, audit logs, and record-keeping for trade and VAT compliance.
- Conduct compliance risk assessments for new geographic markets, vendors, or shipping/fulfillment models — highlight risks and mitigation strategies.
- Provide internal training and awareness to relevant teams (e.g. vendor teams, customer success, finance) to ensure compliance at all levels.
- Reporting, Data & Systems
- Manage master data for compliance — e.g. product classifications (HS, ECCN), country-of-origin, restricted-status, VAT treatment, intra-EU/ cross-border shipping flags, customs histories.
- Evaluate, implement and maintain compliance tools or software (Avalara, trade compliance software, VAT automation — if/when needed) to scale compliance operations.
- Support internal audits or external customs/VAT audits, provide reports, documentation, and remedial action planning when required.
About You
- 5–8+ years of experience in global trade compliance, customs compliance VAT/indirect tax compliance, or similar roles involving cross-border trade.
- Strong working knowledge of international trade laws, customs regulations, HS classification, duties, valuations, export/import compliance, export controls, sanctions screening.
- Clear understanding of VAT (or indirect tax) regimes — EU VAT, UK VAT, international VAT/GST implications — and experience managing VAT compliance (filings, invoicing, returns, documentation).
- Experience working with logistics partners, brokers, 3PLs, freight forwarders, carriers.
- Excellent project management, process-design, and documentation skills.
- Strong cross-functional communication: able to collaborate with legal, finance, ops, and product teams.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, international, scaling environment; able to navigate ambiguity and evolving regulatory landscapes.
- Familiarity with compliance or trade-compliance software/tools, and basic understanding of accounting/ERP systems to liaise with finance teams.
About the Benefits
Here are just some: Competitive salary with generous stock options. Flexible PTO, increasing with tenure, plus extra flexibility for life’s unexpected moments.
Reachdesk believes a diverse team helps us achieve our mission faster, and we actively welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Compensation is based on standardized salary ranges by role, level, and location—benchmarked against similar-size companies. Final offers reflect a mix of factors including experience, skills, and role fit, and may vary from the listed range.
Global Trade Compliance Manager employer: Reachdesk
At Reachdesk, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. As a Global Trade Compliance Manager, you will enjoy competitive compensation, generous stock options, and flexible PTO, all while working in a collaborative environment that values your expertise and encourages professional growth. With hubs in Portugal and the UK, you'll be part of a world-class team dedicated to building meaningful connections through innovative gifting solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Trade Compliance Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in what they do and how you can contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You want to be able to clearly explain your experience and how it relates to the Global Trade Compliance Manager role. Keep it concise and engaging.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Global Trade Compliance Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Global Trade Compliance Manager role. Highlight your experience in global trade compliance, customs regulations, and VAT operations. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about compliance and how you can contribute to our mission at Reachdesk. Keep it engaging and relevant to the role.
Showcase Your Experience:When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements in trade compliance and VAT management. We love numbers and results, so if you’ve improved processes or saved costs, let us know!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Reachdesk!
How to prepare for a job interview at Reachdesk
✨Know Your Trade Compliance Stuff
Make sure you brush up on international trade laws, customs regulations, and VAT compliance. Familiarise yourself with the specific requirements for the regions Reachdesk operates in, as this will show your potential employer that you're serious about the role.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience in managing compliance projects. Prepare examples of how you've developed frameworks or processes in previous roles, especially those that involved cross-functional collaboration. This will highlight your ability to handle the strategic aspects of the position.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific compliance challenges, such as dealing with customs audits or regulatory changes. Think through some scenarios in advance and be ready to explain your thought process and decision-making.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves working closely with various teams, be prepared to discuss how you've effectively communicated compliance needs in the past. Share examples of how you've trained others or collaborated with different departments to ensure compliance is embedded in operations.
