Customs & Compliance Manager

Our client, a leading provider of International logistics and supply chain solutions, offering freight forwarding, warehousing, and distribution services, are looking for a Customs & Compliance Manager to join their team at offices in the London, Heathrow area.
On Offer:
* Key leadership role with full responsibility for the customs function of the business
* Competitive salary, dependent on skills and experience.
* Hybrid Working Model
* Supportive and collaborative working environment
* Career development and growth opportunities within a rapidly expanding business
Main Purpose of the Role:
Reporting to the CEO, the Customs & Compliance Manager will be responsible for ensuring all customs activities are delivered accurately and on time, maintaining full regulatory compliance across AEO, HMRC, DEFRA, and Border Force requirements, and driving continuous improvement across systems, processes, and team performance.
This is a senior leadership role requiring deep knowledge of UK customs regulations, strong people management skills, and a track record of building high-performing, compliant teams.
Duties and Responsibilities of the Customs & Compliance Manager:
Operations
* Full ownership of customs operations across the Customs, ensuring compliant, accurate, and on-time customs clearance.
* Ensure full adherence to AEO, HMRC, DEFRA, Port Health, and Border Force requirements, including SOPs and internal controls.
* Oversee operational performance through clear KPIs, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and consistency across the department.
* Act as the final escalation point for high-risk, high-value, or complex customs issues.
* Ensure month-end processes, supplementary declarations, and reconciliations are completed accurately and on time.
* Monitor departmental costs and profitability, protecting margins and identifying improvement opportunities.
* Oversee customs systems, reporting, and automation initiatives, including AI tools and offshore support.
Commercial & People Management
* Lead, develop, and hold the customs leadership team accountable through clear KPIs, structured oversight, and a culture of ownership.
* Create a positive working environment, building team spirit, morale, and motivation.
* Actively manage key accounts with regular communication, resolving issues proactively, and maintaining consistently high customer satisfaction.
* Support continuous improvement in service quality and operational efficiency.
* Follow HR guidelines and capture team status (sickness, leave, etc.) on the HR system
To be Considered for the Customs & Compliance Manager:
* Minimum 5 years' experience in UK customs operations, with at least 2 years in a management or senior supervisory role
* Proven knowledge of AEO, HMRC, DEFRA, Port Health, and Border Force requirements
* Strong understanding of customs clearance processes across air freight, sea freight, and perishables
* Demonstrated ability to manage, develop, and hold accountable a busy customs team
* Experience managing departmental P&L, billing accuracy, and month-end reporting
* Commercially minded with strong attention to detail and a continuous improvement mindset
* Strong communication skills with fluent spoken and written English
For more details, please contact Willis Global - a leading Recruitment Consultancy for the Supply Chain & Logistics industry