Head of Customs

SDW Recruitment Ltd; Southampton; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

SDW Recruitment Ltd in Southampton is seeking a Head of Customs to lead a team of 8-10 customs professionals and drive the department's performance, compliance and commercial development.

This senior role requires deep customs and international trade knowledge, strong leadership, and the ability to identify automation and revenue opportunities while acting as the organisation’s principal customs expert.

Qualifications

• Extensive customs and international trade knowledge with leadership experience.
• Proven track record improving service delivery and performance.
• Ability to translate regulatory changes into operational requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of 8–10 customs professionals.
• Develop a long-term strategy for Customs Services as a standalone offering.
• Take responsibility for departmental performance, service delivery and profitability.
• Drive productivity, accuracy and customer service across operations.
• Ensure declarations and activities are completed accurately and compliantly.
• Identify opportunities to use technology, automation and digital solutions.

Skills

Customs & international trade

Team leadership

Commercial awareness

Operational performance

Regulatory compliance

Job description

Southampton | Full-Time | Up to £50,000

Are you an experienced customs professional ready to take ownership of a department and turn customs expertise into a commercially successful service?

We’re looking for a Head of Customs to lead, develop and grow an established Customs Department. Managing a team of 8-10 customs professionals, you’ll take responsibility for operational performance, compliance, customer service and the commercial development of the customs offering.

This is a senior opportunity for someone who combines in-depth customs and international trade knowledge with strong leadership and commercial awareness. You’ll have the scope to improve systems and processes, introduce automation and develop new revenue opportunities while becoming the organisation’s principal customs expert.

About the Role:

As Head of Customs, you’ll lead a team of Customs Coordinators, Supervisors and Managers while shaping the future direction of the department.

A major focus will be developing Customs into a scalable, standalone commercial service. You’ll look at how the department operates today, identify opportunities for improvement and put the processes, technology and structure in place to support future growth.

Alongside your leadership responsibilities, you’ll act as the senior point of expertise for customs legislation, HMRC requirements, international trade developments and complex customer requirements.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Leading and developing a team of 8-10 customs professionals
• Developing a long-term strategy for Customs Services as a standalone commercial offering
• Taking responsibility for departmental performance, service delivery, revenue and profitability
• Driving productivity, accuracy and customer service across customs operations
• Ensuring customs declarations and associated activities are completed accurately, compliantly and within agreed service levels
• Monitoring performance including clearance times, entry accuracy, query resolution, productivity and customer satisfaction
• Building scalable processes capable of supporting increased transaction volumes and customer growth
• Identifying opportunities to use technology, automation, AI and digital solutions to improve efficiency
• Leading systems development and integration projects within Customs
• Standardising customs procedures, controls and reporting
• Identifying new opportunities to generate revenue from customs services
• Developing customs consultancy, managed services and other value-added solutions
• Supporting sales teams with new business opportunities and existing customer development
• Acting as the organisation’s principal customs and international trade expert
• Leading the implementation of legislative and regulatory changes
• Providing guidance on HMRC requirements, CDS developments, trade agreements, border operating models and customs simplifications
• Identifying appropriate duty optimisation opportunities
• Maintaining strong governance, compliance and audit readiness
• Supporting customers with complex customs and international trade challenges
• Providing customs expertise to branch locations and operational departments
• Developing training, mentoring and knowledge-sharing across the business
• Acting as the senior escalation point for complex customs matters and key customers
• Building relationships with customers, software providers, HMRC stakeholders and industry bodies

What Our Client Is Looking For:

• Strong customs and international trade expertise
• Experience leading and developing customs professionals
• In-depth understanding of customs compliance, declarations and regulatory requirements
• Strong knowledge of HMRC requirements and CDS
• Experience managing operational performance and improving service delivery
• The ability to interpret regulatory changes and translate them into practical operational requirements
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to identify opportunities for revenue growth
• Experience improving processes, systems and operational efficiency
• An interest in automation, technology and digital transformation within customs operations
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• The confidence to support senior customers with complex customs and trade matters
• Strong leadership, mentoring and team-development capabilities
• The ability to combine strategic thinking with day-to-day operational leadership

What’s on Offer:

• Salary up to £55,000
• Senior leadership responsibility for an established Customs Department
• Management of a team of 8-10 customs professionals
• The opportunity to shape and develop the organisation’s Customs Services offering
• Scope to introduce new systems, automation and operational improvements
• The opportunity to develop new customs products and commercial revenue streams
• A key role in building a recognised centre of excellence for customs and international trade

If you’re an experienced customs leader looking for the opportunity to take ownership of a department, develop a team and shape the commercial future of a Customs operation within an established freight forwarder, we’d love to hear from you and tell you more.