Freight & Trade Compliance Specialist

Advocate Group; Harwell; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Bonus Scheme

Private Medical Insurance

Life Assurance

Critical Illness Cover

Employee Assistance Programme

Employee Purchase Scheme

Birthday Day Off

Holiday Purchase Scheme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Bring Your Dog to Work Policy

Flexible Working Location Policy

Free Onsite Parking with EV Charging

Employee Volunteering Opportunities

Referral Programme

Job summary

The Advocate Group is partnering with Ariat to recruit a Freight & Trade Compliance Specialist. This hybrid role will support inbound freight and cross-border compliance across the UK and Europe, helping transition from a freight forwarder-led model to a directly managed operation.

You will work with US teams and European operations to establish new processes, drive efficiencies and ensure regulatory compliance in a fast-paced consumer goods environment.

Qualifications

• 3-5+ years in transportation, logistics or trade compliance.
• Strong knowledge of UK/EU import processes and CDS.
• Experience with tariff classification and duties optimization.
• Ability to work with cross-border teams and regulators.

Responsibilities

• Manage inbound transportation across ocean, air, trucking and cross-border movements in UK/Europe.
• Develop transportation strategies to improve service levels, routing and costs.
• Monitor carrier performance, forecasting accuracy, booking timeliness and KPIs.
• Lead trade compliance, ensuring adherence to UK/EU customs regulations and import requirements.
• Provide expertise on tariff classification, customs valuation, rules of origin and duty optimisation.
• Partner with brokers, freight providers, suppliers and regulatory authorities to resolve issues.
• Support audits, regulatory enquiries and sustainability/traceability initiatives.

Skills

3-5+ years experience

UK/EU import processes

CDS knowledge

Tariff classification

Trade compliance

Job description

Hybrid position - 3 days in Oxfordshire office

The Advocate Group are proud to be partnering with Ariat, a global leader in performance footwear, apparel and accessories, in the search for a Freight & Trade Compliance Specialist.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a market-leading consumer brand in a newly created role that will play a critical part in shaping Ariat's European transportation and trade compliance operations. The successful candidate will be responsible for establishing new processes as the business transitions from a freight forwarder-led model to a directly managed freight operation, while ensuring efficient, cost-effective and compliant import activities across the UK and Europe.

The Opportunity

Reporting into the European 3PL & Operations Manager and working closely with US-based transportation and trade compliance teams, you'll take ownership of inbound freight operations and trade compliance activities across multiple transport modes. This is a strategic yet hands‑on position with significant scope to influence processes, drive efficiencies and strengthen operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage inbound transportation operations across ocean, air, trucking and cross-border freight movements throughout the UK and Europe.
• Develop transportation strategies that improve service levels, optimise routing and reduce costs.
• Monitor carrier performance, forecasting accuracy, booking timeliness and operational KPIs.
• Lead trade compliance execution, ensuring adherence to UK and EU customs regulations and import requirements.
• Provide expertise on tariff classification, customs valuation, rules of origin and duty optimisation programmes.
• Partner with brokers, freight providers, suppliers and regulatory authorities to resolve transportation and customs issues.
• Support audits, regulatory enquiries and evolving sustainability and traceability initiatives.

About You

We're looking for an experienced transportation, logistics or trade compliance professional who thrives in a fast-paced international environment. You'll ideally have:

• 3-5+ years' experience in transportation, logistics, customs or trade compliance.
• Strong knowledge of international transportation operations, carrier management and UK/EU import processes.
• Experience with UK Customs Declaration Service (CDS), EU customs platforms and the EU‑UK Trade & Cooperation Agreement (TCA).
• Expertise in tariff classification, customs valuation, rules of origin and duty optimisation.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders.
• Experience within retail, footwear, apparel or consumer goods supply chains would be highly advantageous.
• Ability to occasionally communicate outside of UK working hours with US‑based colleagues

Why Ariat?

Ariat is a globally recognised brand built on innovation, integrity, quality, respect and teamwork. You'll join a collaborative environment where you can make a tangible impact while developing your career within a growing international business.

Benefits Include:

• Company Bonus Scheme
• Private Medical Insurance
• Life Assurance
• Critical Illness Cover
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee Purchase Scheme
• Birthday Day Off
• Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Bring Your Dog to Work Policy
• Flexible Working Location Policy
• Free Onsite Parking with EV Charging Points
• Employee Volunteering Opportunities
• Referral Programme and more.