Customs Control Tower Manager (FZ-OT)

Kuehne+Nagel; Kegworth; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Kuehne+Nagel is seeking a Customs Specialist to lead a team and optimise our international freight operations. You will drive compliance, efficiency, and exceptional customer service across all customs processes.

In this pivotal leadership role, you will mentor specialists, manage complex declarations, and collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure timely import/export activities and audit readiness.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience supervising operational teams in a fast-paced, compliance-driven environment.
• Extensive knowledge of customs regulations, clearance processes, special procedures, and compliance requirements.
• Experience with customs brokerage/operations and international trade compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of customs specialists focused on quality and customer service.
• Oversee accurate and timely processing of customs declarations with compliance.
• Serve as primary escalation point for customers and internal stakeholders.
• Monitor team performance against KPIs and SLAs; drive continuous improvement.
• Manage compliance risks, support audit readiness, and maintain documentation.
• Ensure resources allocation and training to stay updated with regulatory changes.

Skills

Leadership experience

Stakeholder management

Customer relationship building

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Customs systems experience

Job description

It’s more than a job As a Customs Specialist at Kuehne+Nagel, your job is to optimise logistics to keep our global supply chains running smoothly. The impact of your work goes beyond that: your expertise makes both special and ordinary moments possible for people around the world, for example by ensuring that a global product launch happens on time. It is import and export work, but it is also so much more than we imagine.

How you create impact

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of customs specialists, fostering a high-performance culture focused on quality, compliance, and customer service excellence.
• Oversee the accurate and timely processing of customs declarations, ensuring compliance with customs regulations, internal policies, and customer requirements.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for customers and internal stakeholders, delivering effective issue resolution and maintaining strong working relationships.
• Monitor team performance against agreed KPIs and SLAs, driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction.
• Manage customs compliance risks, support audit readiness activities, and maintain robust documentation and process controls across all operations.
• Ensure the effective allocation of resources, implementation of best practices, and ongoing training to keep the team current with regulatory changes and industry developments.

What we would like you to bring

• Proven experience in customs brokerage, customs operations, international trade compliance, or freight forwarding.
• Previous leadership experience managing or supervising operational teams in a fast-paced, compliance-driven environment.
• Strong knowledge of customs regulations, customs clearance processes, special procedures, and compliance requirements.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and customer relationship-building skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience using customs systems, reporting tools, and Microsoft Office applications, with a continuous improvement and customer-focused mindset.

What’s in it for you

• Join one of the world’s leading logistics and customs service providers with a strong global presence and reputation for excellence.
• Take on a pivotal leadership role where your expertise directly impacts customer satisfaction, compliance, and operational success.
• Be part of a collaborative and supportive team environment that values innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Access extensive learning and development opportunities to support your professional growth and career progression.
• Contribute to meaningful process improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, service quality, and customer experience.
• Build a rewarding career with a company that empowers its people to make a difference and shape the future of global logistics.

Who we are

Logistics shapes everyday life - from the goods we consume to the healthcare we rely on. At Kuehne+Nagel, your work goes beyond logistics; it enables both ordinary and special moments in the lives of people around the world. As a global leader with a strong heritage and a vision to move the world forward, we offer a safe, stable environment where your career can make a real difference. Whether we help deliver life-saving medicines, develop sustainable transportation solutions, or support our local communities, your career will contribute to more than you can imagine.