Regional Customs Manager - North

The Regional Customs Manager – North is responsible for ensuring all import and export activities within the region are fully compliant with applicable customs laws and trade regulations, while optimising efficiency and cost. The role oversees the accurate preparation and submission of customs documentation, manages duties and taxes, and leverages trade agreements to minimise financial exposure. Acting as a key point of contact for customs authorities, brokers, and internal stakeholders, the role drives collaboration across functions and ensures smooth cross‑border operations. It also focuses on identifying and mitigating risk, leading audits and compliance reporting, and continuously improving processes and controls. In addition, the role provides leadership and development for the customs team, ensuring high performance, strong technical capability, and a culture of compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Compliance & Regulation: Ensure full compliance with all applicable customs legislation, international trade regulations, and internal company policies across the Northern region. Monitor regulatory changes (e.g., HMRC guidance, EU/ROW trade rules, sanctions regimes) and proactively assess their impact on operations. Provide expert guidance and interpretation of customs laws to internal stakeholders, ensuring consistent and compliant application across all sites. Maintain and promote a strong compliance culture, embedding best practices across the region.
• Documentation & Declarations: Oversee the accurate and timely preparation, validation, and submission of all customs documentation, including import/export declarations, commercial invoices, packing lists, and transit documents. Ensure correct tariff classification (HS codes), customs valuation, and origin determination in line with global trade requirements. Implement standardised processes and documentation controls to minimise errors and ensure audit readiness. Act as the escalation point for complex or high‑risk declarations.
• Duty & Cost Management: Manage customs duties, VAT, and other import/export costs, ensuring accuracy and identifying opportunities for cost optimisation. Leverage preferential trade agreements, duty relief programmes (e.g., inward/outward processing relief, bonded warehousing), and tariff engineering where applicable. Monitor duty spend and provide insight and reporting to finance and senior leadership. Collaborate with procurement and supply chain teams to optimise trade flows and minimise landed costs.
• Risk Management: Identify, assess, and mitigate customs‑related risks, including non‑compliance, shipment delays, financial penalties, and reputational impact. Develop and maintain robust internal controls and risk frameworks to safeguard operations. Lead investigations and root cause analysis for customs incidents or discrepancies, implementing corrective and preventative actions. Ensure preparedness for customs audits and inspections, maintaining comprehensive documentation and records.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Serve as the key point of contact for customs authorities, external brokers, freight forwarders, and trade partners. Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including logistics, finance, legal, and compliance teams. Provide clear communication and guidance on customs requirements and operational impacts. Represent the organisation in external forums, industry groups, and regulatory consultations where required.
• Process Improvement: Continuously review and optimise customs processes to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and compliance. Drive standardisation and automation initiatives, including the implementation of customs systems and digital solutions. Identify bottlenecks in cross‑border operations and implement solutions to improve clearance times and reduce operational disruption. Promote best practice sharing across sites and regions.
• Team Leadership: Lead, develop, and manage a regional customs/compliance team, fostering a high‑performance and collaborative culture. Provide coaching, training, and technical development to ensure team capability remains current with evolving regulations. Set clear objectives, monitor performance, and support career development within the team. Act as a subject matter expert and escalation point for complex customs issues.
• Audit & Reporting: Plan and conduct regular internal audits and compliance reviews to ensure adherence to customs regulations and internal standards. Prepare detailed reports on compliance performance, risks, and improvement initiatives for senior management. Ensure readiness for external audits by customs authorities and manage audit processes end‑to‑end. Track KPIs and compliance metrics, using data insights to drive continuous improvement.

Ensures that all interactions are compliant with DPDHL Code of Conduct and other compliance requirements e.g. anti‑corruption. Contribute to the First Choice continuous improvement program.

Skills and Experience:

• Proven experience in customs management within logistics, supply chain, or freight forwarding.
• Experience with air and/or ocean freight operations preferred.
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management capability.
• Continuous improvement mindset – with a focus on streamlining processes.
• Success in this position relies on a balance of compliance focus, commercial awareness, clear communication, and strategic thinking.

Benefits:

• A competitive salary.
• Generous holiday entitlement.
• Pension scheme which includes life assurance.
• Access to professional employee assistance and wellbeing programme.
• A competitive package of voluntary benefits including retail, entertainment, gym membership, cycle to work scheme, contribution to eye care costs, and many more discounts.
• Training and Development opportunities with a strong focus on internal promotion.

Hours / Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week.

Reports To: Head of Customs UK DGF & Freight.

Please Note: Due to the nature of our business we are regulated by the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority), therefore it is compulsory for all applicants once offered employment to provide a full 5 year employment history. Additional to this we are required to carry out a Criminal Record Check.

Application Process: If you would like to be considered for this position, then please apply via our careers website with a copy of your CV outlining your experience to date and suitability for the role.

Equal Opportunity: We hire talented people from all backgrounds – irrespective of gender, disability, nationality, ethnicity, social background, religion and beliefs, age or sexual orientation and identity. Diversity enriches our workplace, drives our success, and helps us deliver excellence.