International Trade Compliance Manager in Belfast

At Short Brothers, a Boeing Company, we design, build and support advanced aerostructures, space and defense solutions, with safety, quality and trust at the heart of everything we do. People are respected, ideas are listened to, and good work is recognised.

These opportunities, based at our Belfast site, offer the following benefits:

• 36 hour working week (half day Friday)
• Generous holidays
• Range of flexible schedules
• Defined Contribution Pension Scheme
• Death in service payment
• Company occupational sick scheme
• On site Occupational Health Department
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional development and growth
• Coaching and mentoring
• Opportunity for advancement
• Free car parking
• Enhanced maternity pay

Purpose of Job: Responsible for providing import & export customs and international trade compliance program expertise. Accountable for maintaining the integrity and completeness of the compliance programs with all applicable import and export laws and regulations across all functions at Short Brothers, a Boeing Company, Belfast. Manage the operational relationship with HM Revenue & Customs and Department of International Trade, as well as other government departments involved in Brexit (HM Treasury, Department of Business and Trade and the Northern Ireland Office, etc.).

Responsibilities:

• Ultimately responsible for aligning Short Brothers Plc compliance with all applicable international trade laws and regulations such as the UK Export Control Act and Export Control Order 2008, the U.S. regulations such as ITAR (DDTC) and EAR (BIS), EU Dual‑Use Regulation (EU 2021/821) where relevant, including applying for and managing UK Open General Export Licences (OGELs), Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs), and compliance with Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Department for Business and Trade (DBT) requirements.
• Govern and coordinate denied party screening and ensure compliance with UK, U.S., UN, and EU sanctions.
• Support risk‑based due diligence of customers and suppliers.
• Manage import and export customs compliance under UK HMRC regulations including the Northern Ireland Protocol, ensuring correct tariff classification (UK Global Tariff), customs valuation, and accurate use of procedures such as Simplified Customs Declaration Procedure (SCDP), Customs Warehouse (CW) and Inward Processing Relief (IPR).
• Own the development and maintain internal policies and procedures aligned with UK export control, sanctions, and customs regulations and deliver trade compliance training across UK sites where applicable.
• Lead engagement with external trade organisations and government departments in support of the company’s international trade compliance activities, including matters related to the Northern Ireland Protocol.
• Represent the company at meetings with UK Government Ministers in relation to international trade when required.
• Act as the primary point of contact for Department for Business and UK Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU), HMRC, and other relevant regulatory authorities.
• Support audits and inspections and respond to compliance queries or investigations.
• Maintain the company’s Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) approval for international supply chain safety & security and regularly review the compliance and risk status of Business Partners.
• Establish and maintain the necessary relationship and credibility with Customs officials of the countries in which the company operates.
• Identify, appoint and govern the Customs Brokers and Service Providers that are required to act on behalf of the company to ensure compliance with applicable customs regulations and legal deadlines.

Qualifications:

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that sufficient detail is provided on the application form to demonstrate how the applicant meets essential job criteria, as this alone will be used for vetting purposes. Candidates must:

• Have an HND or equivalent and 8 years’ relevant experience, including extensive knowledge of international trade compliance legislation, customs procedures and export control regulations.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing cross‑functional compliance activities, stakeholder engagement and regulatory decision‑making within a complex operational environment.
• Ability to act as a trusted compliance advisor, balancing regulatory requirements with operational business considerations.
• Strong practical understanding of either customs compliance or export controls, with the ability to operate effectively across both areas within a complex international environment.
• Detailed knowledge of customs regimes including: Simplified Customs Declaration Procedure (SCDP), Customs Warehouse (CW), Inward Processing Relief (IP), Intrastat reporting.
• Have essential detailed working knowledge and experience on systems such as CMUK (Ricardo) Duty Management System, Maxim, SAP and web‑based solutions such as SPIRE / LITE.
• Possess knowledge of and practice continuous quality improvement techniques – Achieving Excellence System, Lean and 6 Sigma.
• Ability to work within demanding targets and goals.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver high‑quality compliance support within a fast‑paced operational environment.
• Proficiency in people skills with a focus on achieving high personal and team performance through motivation, facilitation and development of the capabilities of team members; interpersonal skills are a key requirement.

Please note: We employ people from all sections of the community and are committed to the appointment of the best candidate based upon the merit principle alone. In pursuit of our equal opportunities programme, we would particularly welcome more applications from Catholics and females, as these groups are currently under‑represented in our workforce.