Customs Manager

Reed; Felixstowe; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working arrangements

Private medical cover

Annual performance bonus

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Reed is seeking a Customs Operations Manager in Felixstowe to lead a busy customs team, ensuring compliant, high-quality service delivery. The role involves driving improvements, coordinating with customers and internal teams, and guiding recruitment and development across the function.

The ideal candidate will have strong knowledge of UK customs regulations, proven leadership, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of UK customs regulations, import and export procedures, tariff classifications, and compliance requirements.
• Proven leadership experience within a customs, freight forwarding, or international trade environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build effective relationships at all levels.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment.
• Commercially aware with a focus on service quality, customer satisfaction, and operational performance.
• Confident decision-maker with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• High attention to detail and commitment to compliance and accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop a customs operations team, ensuring timely and accurate processing of customs documentation and border-related activities.
• Maintain full compliance with customs legislation, regulatory requirements, and internal operational standards.
• Implement and monitor quality control measures to ensure high levels of accuracy and customer service.
• Stay informed of legislative and regulatory updates, communicating any changes and ensuring operational readiness.
• Review existing processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity, and service delivery.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with customers, partners, and internal departments.
• Support business development activities by contributing operational expertise and identifying service enhancement opportunities.
• Manage employee performance through regular coaching, training, and development planning.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, retention, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Resolve complex operational issues and customer escalations in a professional and timely manner.
• Oversee resource planning to ensure workloads are effectively managed and service levels are consistently achieved.
• Attend customer meetings when required, providing operational insight and support.
• Ensure reporting and period-end operational activities are completed accurately and within agreed deadlines.

Skills

UK customs regs

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Multi-priority juggling

Service quality focus

Problem solving

Detail oriented

Microsoft Office

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Description

Customs Operations Manager

Location: Felixstowe
Salary: Up to £48,000 + Bonus & Benefits
Job Type: Full-time

We are recruiting on behalf of a well-established international logistics and supply chain organisation for an experienced Customs Operations Manager. This is an excellent opportunity to lead a busy customs function, driving compliance, service excellence, and team performance within a fast-paced operational environment.

The role is based in Felixstowe with occasional travel to other UK locations and offers the opportunity to play a key role in operational strategy and continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop a customs operations team, ensuring the timely and accurate processing of customs documentation and border-related activities.
• Maintain full compliance with customs legislation, regulatory requirements, and internal operational standards.
• Implement and monitor quality control measures to ensure high levels of accuracy and customer service.
• Stay informed of legislative and regulatory updates, communicating any changes and ensuring operational readiness.
• Review existing processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity, and service delivery.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with customers, partners, and internal departments.
• Support business development activities by contributing operational expertise and identifying service enhancement opportunities.
• Manage employee performance through regular coaching, training, and development planning.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, retention, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Resolve complex operational issues and customer escalations in a professional and timely manner.
• Oversee resource planning to ensure workloads are effectively managed and service levels are consistently achieved.
• Attend customer meetings when required, providing operational insight and support.
• Ensure reporting and period-end operational activities are completed accurately and within agreed deadlines.

Skills & Experience Required

• Strong understanding of UK customs regulations, import and export procedures, tariff classifications, and compliance requirements.
• Proven leadership experience within a customs, freight forwarding, or international trade environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build effective relationships at all levels.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment.
• Commercially aware with a focus on service quality, customer satisfaction, and operational performance.
• Confident decision-maker with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• High attention to detail and commitment to compliance and accuracy.
• Competent user of Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Outlook, Word, and Teams.

Benefits

• Hybrid working arrangements.
• Private medical cover.
• Annual performance bonus.
• Opportunity to join a growing international logistics and trade operation.
• Significant leadership responsibility with scope to influence business performance.
• Ongoing career development and progression opportunities.
• Supportive and collaborative working environment.