Customs Compliance Specialist

Leonid Group Ltd; Basildon; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Leonid Group Ltd in the United Kingdom seeks a lead Trade Compliance professional to own UK customs and manage global origination programs across EMEA. You will be the main point of contact for HMRC, internal stakeholders and external providers, ensuring compliance and driving duty savings.

The role demands 5–7 years of experience, a relevant degree, fluent English, and advanced Excel/PowerPoint; you will collaborate with manufacturing, logistics, finance and procurement to reduce risk and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in International Trade, Business Administration, Economics, Law, or related field.
• 5–7 years’ experience in trade compliance, customs or international trade.
• Fluent written and spoken English; advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills.

Responsibilities

• Act as the business’s go-to trade compliance expert for the UK.
• Manage UK customs authorizations including Inward Processing Relief (IPR).
• Lead HMRC engagements on compliance matters and audits.
• Support preferential origin programs and origin data collection across EMEA.
• Coordinate supplier and origin data collection with manufacturing, logistics and procurement.
• Drive continuous improvement of origin processes, controls and systems.

Skills

Fluent English

Stakeholder management

Excel & PowerPoint

Education

Bachelor’s degree in International Trade, Business Administration, Economics, Law, Supply Chain Management or related field

Tools

SAP

Power BI

Databricks

Job description

The Opportunity

Few trade compliance roles combine this much in one place: post-Brexit UK customs, Inward Processing Relief, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland trade flows, and EMEA preferential origin, across manufacturing, spare parts and wholegoods. For someone who enjoys technically demanding, high-stakes customs work, the variety is the draw.

About the Company

Our client is a global manufacturer of advanced equipment and technology, helping customers work more productively and sustainably. They are known for a collaborative culture where innovation is encouraged and employees are supported to grow their careers.

The Role

You will own customs and trade compliance for the United Kingdom and support preferential origin programs across the EMEA region. As the main point of contact for customs authorities, internal stakeholders and external service providers, you will keep the business compliant, manage customs authorizations and reduce customs-related risk. You will also help the business capture duty savings through effective use of trade agreements and preferential origin.

Key Responsibilities

UK Trade Compliance

• Act as the business’s go-to trade compliance expert for the UK
• Manage UK customs authorizations, including Inward Processing Relief (IPR) and other customs simplifications
• Lead engagement with HMRC on compliance matters, audits and inquiries
• Provide trade compliance support to manufacturing, logistics, spare parts and wholegoods operations
• Maintain customs compliance programs and support audits, including AEO-related activities
• Track regulatory changes and assess their impact on the business
• Manage relationships with customs brokers and other external providers
• Support customs activities for Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland trade flows

Preferential Origin & Free Trade Agreements

• Support EMEA preferential origin compliance programs and the implementation of trade agreements
• Carry out origin qualification and origin calculation activities
• Support customs audits and reviews related to preferential origin
• Coordinate supplier solicitation and origin data collection
• Work closely with manufacturing plants, Supplier Compliance and Sales Administration teams
• Identify opportunities to increase duty savings through preferential trade programs
• Drive continuous improvement of origin processes, controls and systems

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in International Trade, Business Administration, Economics, Law, Supply Chain Management or a related field
• 5-7 years’ experience in trade compliance, customs, international trade or a related function
• Solid knowledge of customs regulations, compliance requirements and operational processes
• Experience managing customs authorizations and special procedures, and dealing with customs authorities
• Working knowledge of preferential origin rules and Free Trade Agreements
• Experience supporting customs audits, compliance reviews and regulatory inspections
• Proven ability to collaborate across Manufacturing, Logistics, Finance, Procurement and external providers
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and stakeholder management skills
• Fluent written and spoken English
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills

Preferred

• Direct experience dealing with HMRC or other customs authorities
• Knowledge of UK customs legislation and post-Brexit requirements
• Hands-on experience with IPR or similar special procedures
• Experience with preferential origin qualification projects and FTA implementation
• Familiarity with SAP, Power BI, Databricks or similar systems
• Background in manufacturing, heavy equipment or other industrial sectors