Customs Manager

CEVA Logistics; Felixstowe; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

CEVA Logistics is seeking an experienced Customs Operations Manager in Felixstowe to lead a customs team, ensuring accurate import/export declarations and transit movements with strict adherence to HMRC regulations. The role requires driving excellence, maintaining high service standards, and supporting the workforce in achieving outstanding customer experiences.

Some travel to Liverpool is mandatory. The position is Monday to Friday, based in Felixstowe, with responsibilities spanning

Qualifications

• Significant experience in customs operations required.
• Proven track record of leading high-performing teams.
• Strong knowledge of HMRC regulations and customs procedures.
• Familiarity with Destin8 and CNS systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop a customs team, creating a high-performance and customer-focused culture.
• Manage the day-to-day customs operation, ensuring service levels, productivity and quality standards are consistently achieved.
• Ensure all import, export and transit declarations are completed accurately and in line with HMRC and other government regulations.
• Drive quality assurance processes, ensuring compliance procedures are consistently followed across the operation.
• Monitor changes in customs legislation and government regulations, communicating updates and providing guidance to the team.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, acting as a key point of contact and attending customer meetings where required.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, eliminate waste and increase operational efficiency through continuous improvement initiatives.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to support business growth, deliver innovative solutions and share best practice.
• Lead workforce planning and capacity management to ensure resources are aligned with customer demand.
• Take ownership of recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement and retention activities.
• Support commercial initiatives and customer implementations, contributing to successful business growth.
• Promote a culture of learning, collaboration and continuous development across the department.

Skills

Customs operations

Team leadership

HMRC regulations

Destin8

CNS

Communication skills

Customer relationship

Tools

Destin8 system

CNS system

Job description

CEVA Logistics provides global supply chain solutions to connect people, products, and providers all around the world. Present in 170+ countries and with more than 110,000 employees spread over 1,500 sites, we are proud to be a Top 5 global 3PL.

We believe that our employees are the key to our success. We want to engage and empower our diverse, global team to co-create value with our customers through our solutions in contract logistics and air, ocean, ground, and finished vehicle transport. That is why CEVA Logistics offers a dynamic and exceptional work environment that fosters personal growth, innovation, and continuous improvement.

At CEVA Logistics, we Rise in Motion. Your career is always on the move, growing as fast and as far as your ambition takes you. Join a global team of nearly 200 nationalities, shaping the future of global trade, moving essential goods, forging new paths, and pushing boundaries to serve an ever-changing world. The pace is fast, the challenges are real, but the rewards are greater: growth, purpose, and the chance to make a meaningful impact. This is more than a job. It’s a journey on which you rise.

YOUR ROLE

Our Customs team in Felixstowe is looking for an experienced Customs Operations Manager. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring the accurate and compliant completion of all import and export declarations, as well as transit movements across your team's portfolio. You will drive operational excellence, maintain high service standards, and support your team in delivering an outstanding customer experience while ensuring full compliance with customs legislation. Some travel to Liverpool will be a mandatory requirement for this role.

This is a Monday to Friday role.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

• Lead, motivate and develop a customs team, creating a high-performance and customer-focused culture.
• Manage the day-to-day customs operation, ensuring service levels, productivity and quality standards are consistently achieved.
• Ensure all import, export and transit declarations are completed accurately and in line with HMRC and other government regulations.
• Drive quality assurance processes, ensuring compliance procedures are consistently followed across the operation.
• Monitor changes in customs legislation and government regulations, communicating updates and providing guidance to the team.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, acting as a key point of contact and attending customer meetings where required.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, eliminate waste and increase operational efficiency through continuous improvement initiatives.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to support business growth, deliver innovative solutions and share best practice.
• Lead workforce planning and capacity management to ensure resources are aligned with customer demand.
• Take ownership of recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement and retention activities.
• Support commercial initiatives and customer implementations, contributing to successful business growth.
• Promote a culture of learning, collaboration and continuous development across the department.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

Our ideal candidate will have significant experience in customs operations and a proven track record of leading and developing high-performing teams. You'll have a strong understanding of HMRC regulations, customs procedures and systems such as Destin8 and CNS, along with excellent communication and relationship-building skills. We're looking for someone who is customer-focused, thrives under pressure, enjoys solving problems, embraces change, and is passionate about driving compliance, continuous improvement and team success.

WHAT DO WE HAVE TO OFFER?

With a genuine culture of reward and recognition, we want our employees to grow, develop and be part of our journey. We offer a benefits package that includes competitive annual leave entitlement with a fantastic holiday buy scheme, pension and life assurance. There’s no doubt that you will be compensated for your hard work and commitment.

ABOUT TOMORROW

We value your professional and personal growth. That’s why we share plenty of career opportunities for you to thrive within CEVA. Join CEVA for a challenging career.