Customs Manager

Rolls-Royce plc; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Rolls-Royce plc is seeking a Customs Manager to lead UK customs compliance for a global manufacturing organisation. Hybrid role based in Derby or Bristol with senior responsibilities across policy, audits, and stakeholder collaboration.

You will drive controls, transformation, and automation of customs processes while supporting growth and transitions in supply chains and international operations.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Customs and International Trade Compliance.
• Strong knowledge of UK Customs legislation and AEO requirements.
• Experience managing relationships with HMRC or other authorities.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with UK and international trade regulations and keep policies up to date.
• Oversee authorisations and procedures including AEO, IP, Temporary Admission, and Customs Warehousing.
• Lead compliance reviews, risk assessments, and HMRC enquiries responses.
• Provide expert advice to stakeholders and support strategic initiatives including new product introductions and expansion.
• Monitor regulatory developments and provide risk-based recommendations to support objectives.
• Oversee customs declarations by brokers and partners with KPI monitoring.

Skills

Customs compliance

International trade

Stakeholder management

Regulatory knowledge

AEO/IP/Tariffs

Education

Customs qualifications

Tools

SAP

Job description

Customs Manager Derby or Bristol – Hybrid Full time

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and commercially minded Customs Manager to lead and oversee UK customs compliance activities within our global manufacturing organisation. This is a critical leadership role responsible for ensuring compliance with UK customs regulations while supporting complex global supply chains, operational excellence and business growth. As Customs Manager, you will act as the organisation’s subject matter expert for customs and international trade matters, partnering closely with Logistics, Procurement, Finance, Tax, Engineering, Manufacturing and external customs authorities to ensure the compliant and efficient movement of goods across international borders.

What you will be doing:

• Ensuring full compliance with UK customs legislation and relevant international trade regulations, maintaining customs policies, procedures, controls and record-keeping requirements.
• Maintaining and overseeing customs authorisations and special procedures, including Authorised Economic Operator (AEO), Inward Processing (IP), Temporary Admission, Customs Warehousing, Simplified Customs Declaration Processes and Returned Goods Relief.
• Leading customs compliance reviews, risk assessments and audits, managing responses to HMRC enquiries, information requests, voluntary disclosures and regulatory reviews.
• Providing expert customs and trade compliance advice to stakeholders and supporting strategic business initiatives, including new product introductions, supply chain changes and international expansion.
• Assessing the impact of regulatory developments, trade agreements, sanctions, tariffs and customs policy changes, providing risk-based recommendations that support compliance and commercial objectives.
• Overseeing customs declaration activities performed by customs brokers and logistics partners, monitoring performance through KPIs and management reporting.
• Identifying opportunities to reduce customs duty exposure and improve process efficiency, while driving root-cause analysis and corrective actions for customs compliance issues.
• Supporting operational teams in resolving customs clearance delays and border-related disruptions.
• Supporting customs transformation initiatives, including the implementation and optimisation of customs technology platforms and e-filing solutions.
• Utilising data analytics, reporting and automation opportunities to enhance compliance, improve operational visibility and reduce manual activities.
• Promoting customs awareness and best practice through training, coaching and stakeholder engagement.
• Leading, coaching and developing customs professionals, supporting succession planning, capability development and talent management within the customs function.
• Building effective relationships with senior stakeholders and fostering a culture of accountability, compliance and continuous improvement.

Position Qualifications:

• Significant experience in Customs and International Trade Compliance within industry, government or professional practice.
• Strong knowledge of UK Customs legislation, AEO requirements, Inward Processing procedures, duty relief regimes and import and export compliance requirements.
• Experience managing relationships with HMRC and/or other customs authorities.
• Experience working within complex international supply chains.
• Proven stakeholder management and business partnering experience.

Preferred Requirements:

• Aerospace, defence, manufacturing or engineering sector experience.
• Professional customs or trade qualifications.
• Experience managing customs brokers and external service providers.
• Knowledge of ERP systems such as SAP.
• Experience leading transformation or digitalisation programmes.

Our vision is to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that shaped our history continues into our future. Our multi-year transformation programme aims to turn Rolls-Royce into a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing company. Join us, and it can be your future vision too.

Rolls-Royce are committed to being a respectful, inclusive, and non-discriminatory workplace where individuality is valued, diverse perspectives fuel innovation, and everyone can thrive.

Please be aware that the priority will be given to employees identified as being at high risk.

This job is advertised at the grades shown, and this is the desired operating level for this role. We encourage applications from candidates with relevant experience from any grade. It is advised that you inform your current manager of your application for this role.

Grade: Level C

Closing Date: 18th September 2026

People Leader: Steve Stoddart

For further information, please contact: Jaspreet Bagga

Job Category Finance

Posting Date 07 Sept 2026; 00:09

Posting End Date 18 Sept 2026

Rolls-Royce pioneers cutting-edge technologies that deliver the cleanest, safest and most competitive solutions to our planet’s vital power needs.