Imports-Exports Manager in Southampton

BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. Our purpose is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by Building a Smokeless World. To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to join us on this journey!

British American Tobacco UK has an exciting opportunity for an Imports-Exports Manager in Southampton.

Key objectives and expectations from this role

The Imports-Exports Manager is responsible for the international and domestic movement of company owned goods, ensuring compliance with trade regulations, optimizing logistics, and handling documentation for both import and export operations. This role is critical in maintaining smooth cross-border supply chain operations, minimizing costs, and ensuring timely delivery of goods while remaining aligned with HMRC and local market regulations.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Lead end-to-end import and export operations, including lead time management and clear communication to partners.
• Ensure compliance with international trade laws and regulations, maintaining accurate documentation and audit‑ready records.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks related to international logistics, customs, tariffs, and sanctions.
• Coordinate across internal teams (procurement, sales, finance, warehousing, project teams) to align logistics activities with business needs.
• Handle relationships with freight forwarders, couriers, and logistics providers, including rate and service contract negotiation.
• Control and optimise import/export costs, tracking budgets, indicators, delivery performance, and compliance metrics.
• Analyse logistics data to drive continuous improvement, identifying trends, inefficiencies, and optimisation opportunities.
• Provide subject‑matter guidance on import/export processes, including training support and resolution of operational queries from internal and external partners.

What are we looking for?

• Solid understanding of international trade regulations, customs procedures, and commercial terms (e.g. Incoterms).
• Excellent organisational, communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and collaborate across cross‑functional teams.
• Strong digital and analytical skills, including use of important metrics, dashboards, and performance data.
• Experience managing relationships with external partners, including freight forwarders, customs brokers, and suppliers.
• Demonstrated capability to drive process improvement, automation, and operational efficiency.
• Ability to adapt quickly to regulatory, market, and operational changes in an international environment.
• Bachelor’s Degree (In fields such as International Business, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or Economics).

Beneficial:

• Process Automation: Experience in streamlining workflows using digital tools.
• Quality Assurance: Ensuring product and documentation accuracy across borders.
• Advanced Excel & Data Tools: For analysing shipment data, cost trends, and performance metrics.

What we offer you?

We offer a market leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility). Our range of benefits varies by country and includes diverse health plans, initiatives for work-life balance, transportation support, and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives. Your journey with us isn't limited by boundaries; it's propelled by your aspirations. Join us at BAT and become a part of an environment that thrives on internal advancement, where your career progression isn't just a statement – it's a reality we’re eager to build together. Seize the opportunity and own your development; your next chapter starts here. You’ll have access to online learning platforms and personalized growth programs to nurture your leadership skills. We prioritise continuous improvement within a transformative environment, preparing for ongoing changes.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

We wish to foster an environment where every individual can thrive, irrespective of factors such as gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, skills, experience, education, socio-economic and professional background, as well as diverse perspectives and thinking styles. We recognise that our strength lies in embracing talent from all walks of life, empowering us to develop our culture of inclusivity and better achieve our business objectives. We take pride in being a Disability Confident Employer. If you need any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to be made during the recruitment process to support you performing at your best, please inform the recruitment partner who will be in touch should your profile be selected for the role you applied for. We are wholly committed to optimising your prospects of success by making suitable arrangements so that you may showcase your full potential.