Customs Consultant BPE (Business Process Expert)

Redefined Ltd; London; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company seeks a Customs Consultant / Business Process Expert in London to ensure compliance with customs regulations and optimize international trade operations. The role requires expertise in SAP GTS and a strong background in customs law and advisory work. Enjoy a hybrid working model and various benefits including 35 days of holiday and a pension scheme.

Benefits

35 days holiday (pro rata)

10% in-store discount

Sabbatical

Enhanced family leave

Pension scheme

Qualifications

• Advisory and audit experience with HMRC or large consultancies is desirable.
• Detail-oriented approach essential for data preparation.
• Knowledge of customs compliance, duty optimisation, and import/export operations in the retail industry.

Responsibilities

• Ensure customs compliance throughout the Customs team operations.
• Maintain and develop web services and data interfaces with external stakeholders.
• Conduct quarterly internal audits across all compliance areas.

Skills

SAP GTS

Data analytics tools

International customs regulations

Trade agreements

Duty optimisation

Education

Degree in International trade compliance

Customs qualifications to Advanced level or equivalent

Tools

MicroStrategy

Job description

Summary

£49,500* up to £66,000* per annum | 35 days) holiday (pro rata) | 10% in-store discount | Pension scheme

Everyone who works at Lidl bring something unique to the table - but we also have a whole lot in common. We're assertive, adaptable, and always go the extra mile to support our team.

Our customs department has an exciting opportunity for a Customs Consultant / Business process expert to join the team. As the Customs Consultant, you'll have responsibility for the successful operation of the Customs team systems and audit dashboard, working alongside the Customs Team Manager and Tax colleagues at Lidl GB.

You'll be advising and supporting compliance of import activities and Broker KPI reporting & ensuring full compliance with all HMRC / Border Forces rules and regulations. Over time you'll be expected to further develop and maintain the Customs audit and Excise reporting of the business to provide an outstanding level of service externally to customers and internally to all stakeholders.

You'll have a wide range of duties that deal with each step of the Import and Export process. Including keeping track of shipments, that may be affected by Border Force or Trading standards and PHA holds and any Custom system issues.

You'll ensure full compliance with all HMRC / Border Force rules and regulations and provide an outstanding level of service to all stakeholders.

At Lidl, we offer a hybrid working model to give you the best of both worlds. Spend three days or more in our state-of-the-art office, where you can enjoy an on-site gym, restaurant, and more of the perks you deserve. And with up to two days at home, you'll find the work/life balance you need to thrive.

What you'll do

• Supporting customs compliance throughout the Customs & Imports team to ensure the operation is fully compliant with all Customs regulations.
• Highly technical requiring expert knowledge of SAP GTS and data analytics tools such as MicroStrategy, with ability to understand complex system requirements for daily customs transactions to build and deliver user functions in our foreign trade dashboard.
• Maintain and develop the Webservices and IPAFFs data interfaces with external stakeholders and brokers.
• Subject matter expert for all import operations and customs compliance matters in relation to import controls, HMRC, Border Force and Defra.
• Responsible for assessing the costs and risks linked to international trade operations, including tariffs, duties, taxes, and excise costs.
• Pro-active in resolving all related queries/problems e.g. CDS errors, VAT code, Duty code errors
• Ensuring full compliance of all documentation as well as any updates from HMRC and Border Force, whether in systems or manual formats
• Conducting quarterly internal audits across all compliance areas, including Import/Export entries, Excise reviews, Monthly CDS audits, SCDP audits & AEO audits
• Prepare audit reports on the performance of the department and suggest digital improvements that will enhance the company's profit margins, as well as work closely with senior management as and when required
• Ensure Brokers complete accurate and timely CDS declarations and supplementary declarations on to Customs CDS system ensuring all imports/exports are correctly declared
• Ability to plan and project manage import/export projects and ad hoc events as they arise
• To assist the Customs team manager/Tax team in compiling Quarterly internal audits on all areas of compliance, Import/Export entries, Excise audits, CSDP audits & AEO audits.

What you'll need

• Degree in International trade compliance /MCIEX Grad /customs qualifications to Advanced level or equivalent
• Advisory experience & Audit experience with HMRC or large consultancies is desirable
• Highly knowledgeable of international customs regulations, trade agreements, and strategies for optimising duties
• Previous experience with customs bonded warehousing, Excise, customs compliance, duty optimisation and import/export operations within the retail industry, especially FMCG
• A detail-oriented approach is essential for accurate presentation of data to internal Tax partners, SAO, Board members, and HMRC, necessitating a high standard of document preparation
• Technical knowledge of SAP GTS ,MicroStrategy tools
• Previous experience of SPS controls and/or BTOM controls would be advantageous

What you'll receive

• 35 days holiday (pro rata)
• 10% in-store discount
• Sabbatical
• Enhanced family leave
• Pension scheme
• Plus, more of the perks you deserve

*includes an additional 10% non-contractual London Weighting allowance

You're Lidl like us. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds. Join us to celebrate individuality and grow in a fair, respectful, and inclusive environment.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is to ensure our teams can manage application levels while maintaining a positive candidate experience. Once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment