EXPORT CONTROL AND COMPLIANCE OFFICER

Knds UK; Stockport; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Job summary

KNDS UK is seeking an Export Control and Compliance Officer to lead the company’s export control programme. You will advise on licensing, classify items, manage licences, and ensure compliance across UK and international regulations.

You will collaborate with Engineering, Commercial, Programme Management and Supply Chain, delivering training and audits to maintain robust controls. This role requires strong analytical skills and integrity.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in export control or international trade compliance.
• Strong knowledge of UK export control legislation.
• Experience administering export licences through SPIRE and/or LITE.
• Knowledge of UK Strategic Export Control Lists.
• Understanding of UK sanctions legislation.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and maintain the Company’s Export Control Compliance Programme.
• Act as Export Control Officer and principal adviser on licensing matters.
• Classify military, dual-use, software and technology against UK lists.
• Prepare, submit and administer export licence applications (LITE/SPIRE).
• Manage OGELs, OIELs, SIELs and compliance records.
• Conduct end-user and end-use risk assessments and sanctions screening.
• Advise on UK/EU/US export control requirements where applicable.
• Develop and maintain export control policies and training.

Skills

Export control expertise

UK export control legislation

SPIRE/LITE licensing experience

Stakeholder management

Risk assessment

Education

Law / Engineering / International Trade degree

Tools

SPIRE

LITE

Job description

We currently have an opportunity for a Export Control and Compliance Officer

About KNDS UK:

With over a century of engineering expertise and innovation, KNDS UK is a renowned world leader in rapidly deployable military bridging systems and a key partner in the UK MoD’s Boxer armoured vehicle programme.

We are proud of our heritage and our reputation of providing the highest quality engineering solutions for over 100 years.

As a trusted partner to military customers around the world, our employees are the very heart of our company. We have a skilled and experienced workforce dedicated to achieving excellence in all areas of the business such as Manufacturing, Engineering, Project Management and Business Support functions.

As our business evolves, we are looking to strengthen our workforce with talented and motivated individuals across a range of disciplines and currently have this opportunity available.

About the role:

This is a business-facing role requiring close collaboration with Engineering, Commercial, Programmes, Procurement, Supply Chain, Operations, HR and senior management.

You will provide practical advice that enables the business to operate efficiently whilst ensuring compliance with export control legislation, sanctions, customs requirements and the Company’s wider compliance framework.

• Lead and maintain the Company’s Export Control Compliance Programme.
• Act as the Company’s Export Control Officer and principal adviser on export licensing matters.
• Classify military, dual-use, software and technology against UK Strategic Export Control Lists.
• Prepare, submit and administer export licence applications using the UK LITE licensing system.
• Manage Open General Export Licences (OGELs), Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs), Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) and associated compliance records.
• Assess technology transfers, including electronic transmission of technical data and software.
• Provide advice on UK export control legislation together with US ITAR and EAR requirements where applicable.
• Manage compliance with UK financial sanctions and trade sanctions.
• Conduct end-user, end-use and destination risk assessments.
• Screen customers, suppliers, agents and intermediaries against sanctions and denied-party databases.
• Support customs and international trade compliance activities where required.
• Develop and maintain company policies, procedures and guidance relating to export control and compliance.
• Deliver compliance awareness training throughout the business.
• Conduct internal audits and compliance monitoring.
• Investigate potential compliance breaches and recommend corrective actions.
• Support internal and external audits by customers and regulatory authorities.
• Liaise with the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU), HMRC and other regulatory bodies.
• Work closely with Group Compliance colleagues to ensure alignment with corporate policies.
• Support wider ethics and compliance activities including Anti-Bribery & Corruption, third-party due diligence and business partner screening.
• Monitor legislative developments and ensure the Company remains compliant with evolving UK and international regulations.

What we’re looking for:

Candidates must have the following essential qualifications and experience:

• Demonstrable experience in export control or international trade compliance.
• Strong knowledge of UK export control legislation.
• Experience administering export licences through SPIRE and/or LITE.
• Knowledge of UK Strategic Export Control Lists.
• Understanding of UK sanctions legislation.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills.
• High level of integrity, professionalism and discretion.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities within a fast-moving operational environment.

The following are desirable:

• Experience within the defence sector.
• Working knowledge of US ITAR and Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
• Knowledge of customs procedures and Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) requirements.
• Experience with SAP or other ERP systems.
• Experience implementing compliance management systems.
• Professional qualification in export controls, international trade or compliance.
• Degree qualified in Law, Engineering, Business, International Trade or a related discipline.

Why you should join us:

When you become part of the KNDS UK team, you will enjoy employee benefits such as:

• Competitive salary
• Attractive pension (4% employee contribution, 7% employer contribution)
• Half-day Friday
• Life assurance scheme
• Company sick pay scheme which increases with service
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Additional Holidays & Long Service rewards
• Wellbeing initiatives, such as Free Fruit on Tuesday’s
• Cycle-to-work Scheme
• Free on-site car parking
• On-site electric vehicle charging points

We’re also very proud to be part of the Armed Forces Covenant since 2018, achieving their Silver Award in 2020 and Gold Award in 2024. We actively support and encourage service leavers, reservists and cadets to join our team, recognising military skills and qualifications in our recruitment and selection process.

If you are passionate about Manufacturing and eager to contribute to a thriving workplace environment, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

We look forward to receiving your application!