Customs Manager

Lear Corporation; Daimler Green; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Lear Corporation in the United Kingdom seeks a seasoned UK Customs Manager to lead our customs team, ensuring compliant and efficient movement of goods across UK operations. You will serve as the UK customs expert and business partner, overseeing multiple entities and manufacturing sites while driving continuous improvement in a fast-paced, international environment.

You will coach and develop a team, manage critical shipments, and collaborate with stakeholders across operations, logistics and

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in customs compliance and operations.
• Experience leading a team of customs professionals.
• Hands-on experience with customs clearance processes.
• Experience in manufacturing, automotive, logistics, or complex international supply chains preferred.
• Experience dealing with customs authorities and brokers.
• Excellent knowledge of UK customs legislation and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a team of customs professionals.
• Ensure compliant and efficient customs operations, with a focus on import activities.
• Support the business during critical shipments, customs escalations and operational challenges.
• Act as the primary point of contact for UK customs authorities, brokers and key stakeholders.
• Drive use of customs technologies, automation tools and special procedures (IPR).
• Oversee classifications, valuation, origin and broker performance.
• Partner with operations, logistics, procurement, finance and commercial teams to protect business continuity.
• Collaborate with customs colleagues across EMEA and globally to support shared customers.
• Identify opportunities to simplify processes and strengthen compliance.

Skills

Team leadership

Customs clearance

UK customs legislation

Stakeholder management

Continuous improvement

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

Customs automation tools

Job description

At Lear, customs is more than compliance. It is a critical function that keeps our supply chain moving and supports our commitment to customers. We are looking for an experienced and dynamic UK Customs Manager to lead our UK Customs Team and ensure the compliant and efficient movement of goods across our UK operations. This role combines people leadership, operational customs expertise, and continuous improvement in a fast-paced international environment. You will lead a team responsible for customs clearances across multiple UK legal entities and manufacturing locations, while serving as the key customs expert and business partner for the UK. You are a customs professional who enjoys developing people as much as solving operational challenges. You are approachable, resilient, energetic and willing to roll up your sleeves when the situation demands it. You bring leadership, technical expertise and a positive attitude, helping your team succeed while ensuring the business can deliver for its customers.

• Lead, coach and develop a team of customs professionals.
• Ensure compliant and efficient customs operations, with a strong focus on import activities.
• Support the business during critical shipments, customs escalations and operational challenges.
• Act as the primary point of contact for UK customs authorities, customs brokers and key business stakeholders.
• Drive the effective use of customs technologies, automation tools and special procedures, including Inward Processing Relief (IPR).
• Oversee customs classifications, valuation, preferential origin and broker performance.
• Partner closely with operations, logistics, procurement, finance and commercial teams to protect business continuity.
• Collaborate with customs colleagues across EMEA and globally to support shared customers and international supply chains.
• Identify opportunities to simplify processes, improve efficiency and strengthen customs compliance.

Skills

Tax Compliance Software Tax Preparation Avalara (Tax Software) Financial Planning Business Acumen Tax Planning Tax Provision International Taxation Tax Research

• 7+ years of experience in customs compliance and customs operations.
• Previous experience managing and developing people (ideally leading a team of customs specialists).
• Strong hands‑on experience with customs clearance processes, not purely advisory or compliance roles.
• Experience in manufacturing, automotive, logistics, freight forwarding, or complex international supply chains would be highly preferred.
• Experience dealing directly with customs authorities, customs brokers and operational stakeholders.
• Excellent knowledge of UK customs legislation and customs procedures.
• Strong understanding of:
• Experience working with customs software, customs automation tools and ERP systems (SAP experience preferred).

Lear For You

We work hard for the people who work for us. We champion our teams and foster collaboration, inclusion, respect and excellence. Because we want to be more for you. A path to a better career. A better future. Our teams have invented groundbreaking technologies, manufactured millions of products and earned a long list of awards. Year after year, we're named one of the World's Most Admired Companies. They're the secret to our success-empowered, inventive and inclusive. Passionate about their craft. Driven to succeed. Because we win together. Are you ready for a better career? A better future?