Compliance Officer

Sapien; Stone Cross; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Sapien are seeking a Compliance and Export Control Officer in the Sandwich area to ensure adherence to UK and international export controls within the Defence and High‑Tech sectors.

The role covers licensing, documentation, sanctions screening, and internal training, working with logistics, operations, and commercial teams to maintain compliant international trade.

Qualifications

• Experience in Export Control or Trade Compliance.
• Experience reviewing export/import documentation.
• Understanding of export licensing requirements (UK/EU/US).
• Experience with sanctions and denied party screening.

Responsibilities

• Interpret UK and international export control regulations and licensing.
• Determine licence requirements and manage licence applications (OGELs, OIELs, SIELs).
• Prepare and review import/export documentation.
• Classify products under export control lists and ECCN.
• Conduct sanctions/denied party screening and end‑use assessments.
• Support trade compliance policies and internal controls.
• Coordinate with freight forwarders and customs authorities.
• Maintain compliance records and support audits.
• Deliver training on export control and customs requirements.

Skills

Attention to detail

Regulatory interpretation

Cross‑functional collaboration

Job description

Sapien are looking for a Compliance and Export control officer based around Sandwich for an established organisation operating within the Defence, Security and Advanced Technology sectors.

Candidates must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).

This role will be responsible for ensuring compliance with UK and international export control regulations, customs requirements, sanctions legislation and import/export processes across a range of highly regulated products and programmes.

Key Responsibilities

• Interpret and apply UK and international export control regulations, including UK Export Controls, ITAR and EAR requirements.
• Determine export licence requirements and manage licence applications and usage, including OGELs, OIELs and SIELs.
• Prepare and review import/export documentation including commercial invoices, certificates of origin and shipping documentation.
• Classify products against UK Export Control Lists, Military Lists, Dual-Use regulations and ECCN classifications.
• Conduct denied party screening, sanctions checks and end-user/end-use assessments.
• Support the development and maintenance of trade compliance policies, procedures and internal controls.
• Work closely with commercial, operations, logistics and supply chain teams to support international trade activities.
• Liaise with freight forwarders, customs brokers and government authorities regarding import and export requirements.
• Maintain compliance records and support internal and external audits.
• Deliver guidance and training to internal stakeholders on export control and customs requirements.

Experience Required

• Previous experience within Export Control, Trade Compliance, Customs Compliance or International Trade.
• Experience reviewing export/import documentation and supporting international shipments.
• Understanding of export licensing requirements and controlled goods.
• Experience carrying out sanctions and denied party screening activities.
• Experience working with freight forwarders, customs brokers or licensing authorities.
• Background within Defence, Aerospace, Engineering, Manufacturing, Electronics, Technology or other highly regulated industries would be advantageous.

Knowledge & Skills

• UK Export Controls and ECJU licensing processes.
• HMRC customs requirements.
• Sanctions compliance and restricted-party screening.
• Commodity codes, customs valuation, rules of origin and Incoterms.
• Import/export documentation and audit requirements.
• ITAR and EAR knowledge would be beneficial.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to interpret complex regulations.
• Confident communicator with the ability to work across multiple departments