Global Customs Operations Manager

Kuehne+Nagel; Uxbridge; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Kuehne+Nagel is seeking an senior operational leader to transform its global customs operation and drive efficiency across multiple countries. You will lead large-scale change initiatives, build high-performing teams, and deliver measurable business results.

Location is flexible across Europe with a preference for the UK, reporting into senior leadership and collaborating across operations, technology, sales and compliance.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in logistics, freight forwarding, customs, shipping, supply chain, or a related operational environment.
• Proven leadership experience managing international teams and driving organizational transformation.
• Experience with budgets, costs, or P&L responsibilities.
• Demonstrated success delivering productivity improvements, operational efficiency programs, or large-scale transformation initiatives.
• Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to convert data and insights into business decisions.
• Experience leading complex, cross-functional projects in an international matrix organization.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Fluent English is essential; additional European languages are an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead and continuously improve customs operations across a global network, driving consistency, quality, and operational excellence.
• Deliver productivity and efficiency gains through process optimization, automation, and technology-enabled transformation.
• Drive the outsourcing and centralization of standardized customs activities in partnership with internal shared service teams.
• Identify, develop, and implement innovative operational solutions that support business growth and scalability.
• Support the onboarding of new customs business opportunities, ensuring smooth and efficient operational implementation.
• Build strong relationships with customers and internal stakeholders to understand business needs and deliver value-added solutions.
• Lead cross-functional projects across operations, technology, sales, business development, and compliance functions.
• Inspire and develop teams while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence

Skills

Leadership experience

Budget management

Cross-functional projects

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

English fluency

Logistics experience

International teams

Job description

It's more than a job

As a member of the Freight Forwarding team Kuehne+Nagel, you will play a key role in transporting goods, optimising processes, and fulfilling our customers' promises. And by transporting medicines, toys and important machine parts, you are not only delivering goods, you are making small and big moments possible for people all around the world. At Kuehne+Nagel, our contribution counts in more ways than we imagine.

Drive the transformation of a global customs operation.

We are looking for a senior operational leader to shape the future of our customs business across more than 40 countries. This is a highly visible role focused on operational excellence, productivity, technology adoption, outsourcing, and sustainable growth. Working with stakeholders across operations, technology, sales and compliance, you will lead large-scale change initiatives while building high-performing teams and delivering measurable business results.

Job location available around Europe, preferred location in the UK.

How you create impact

• Lead and continuously improve customs operations across a global network, driving consistency, quality, and operational excellence.
• Deliver productivity and efficiency gains through process optimization, automation, and technology-enabled transformation.
• Drive the outsourcing and centralization of standardized customs activities in partnership with internal shared service teams.
• Identify, develop, and implement innovative operational solutions that support business growth and scalability.
• Support the onboarding of new customs business opportunities, ensuring smooth and efficient operational implementation.
• Build strong relationships with customers and internal stakeholders to understand business needs and deliver value-added solutions.
• Lead cross-functional projects across operations, technology, sales, business development, and compliance functions.
• Inspire and develop teams while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence

What we would like you to bring

• 15+ years of experience in logistics, freight forwarding, customs, shipping, supply chain, or a related operational environment.
• Proven leadership experience managing international teams and driving organizational transformation.
• Strong business and commercial acumen, including experience managing budgets, costs, or P&L responsibilities.
• Demonstrated success delivering productivity improvements, operational efficiency programs, or large-scale transformation initiatives.
• Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to convert data and insights into business decisions.
• Experience leading complex, cross-functional projects in an international matrix organization.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Fluent English is essential; additional European languages are an advantage.

What's in it for you

This is a unique opportunity to join a growing global business at a pivotal stage of its transformation journey. You will have the mandate to shape how customs operations are delivered across a large international network, lead impactful change initiatives, and influence strategic decisions at a senior level. If you are energized by building high-performing teams, driving operational excellence, and creating tangible business value in a complex global environment, this role offers the visibility, autonomy, and challenge to make a lasting impact.

Who we are

Logistics shapes everyday life - from the goods we consume to the healthcare we rely on. At Kuehne+Nagel, your work goes beyond logistics; it enables both ordinary and special moments in the lives of people around the world.

As a global leader with a strong heritage and a vision to move the world forward, we offer a safe, stable environment where your career can make a real difference. Whether we help deliver life-saving medicines, develop sustainable transportation solutions or support our local communities, your career will contribute to more than you can imagine.

Kuehne + Nagel is an equal employment/affirmative action employer. If you require an accommodation for any part of the online application process due to a disability, please contact the Employee Services HR Help Desk at 1-800-267-1326 during the hours of 8:00am - 5:00pm EST; Monday through Friday or via e-mail at: [e-mail] with the nature of your request. We will answer your inquiry within 24 hours.