Import Export Controller

Leonardo; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Time to Recharge

Pension scheme

Mental health support

Bonus scheme

4,000+ online courses

Job summary

Leonardo UK is seeking an Import/Export Controller to join our Edinburgh site in a hybrid role. You will coordinate customs instructions, ensure licensing compliance, and support reporting and audit preparation while working with internal stakeholders, brokers, and freight agents.

This position offers exposure to trade compliance within a global aerospace and defence organisation, with opportunities to develop knowledge in import/export processes at Leonardo UK.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting multiple stakeholders or customers with competing demands.
• High attention to detail and professional work standards.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team and with external stakeholders.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with colleagues and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and issue import/export customs instructions to agents per UK regulations.
• Ensure correct export licences are applied and records maintained.
• Coordinate clearance instructions with internal teams and brokers.
• Instruct freight forwarders per business requirements and verify compliance.
• Review clearance data and address anomalies with the Trade Compliance lead.
• Assist with data packs and reports for internal/external audits.

Skills

Outlook

Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Stakeholder management

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Salary Range: £38,000 - £48,000

Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.

Your Impact

At Leonardo UK, we deliver advanced technologies that help keep people and nations safe. Across the UK, our teams design, develop and support a diverse range of innovative aerospace, defence and security solutions — from airborne radar and targeting systems to infrared detectors, camera systems, cyber and physical security technologies, and rotary aircraft used for commercial, public utility and defence applications.

Job Description

Salary Range: £38,000 - £48,000

Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.

Your Impact

At Leonardo UK, we deliver advanced technologies that help keep people and nations safe. Across the UK, our teams design, develop and support a diverse range of innovative aerospace, defence and security solutions — from airborne radar and targeting systems to infrared detectors, camera systems, cyber and physical security technologies, and rotary aircraft used for commercial, public utility and defence applications.

We are currently seeking a Import/Export Controller to join the team at our Edinburgh site. In this role, you will support the Import/Export function by coordinating customs instructions, maintaining accurate records and assisting with reporting and audit preparation. Working closely with internal stakeholders, freight agents and customs brokers, you will help ensure that import and export activities are conducted in line with UK customs requirements and Leonardo procedures.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop their knowledge of trade compliance and international logistics within a collaborative team environment at the heart of a global aerospace and defence organisation.

This is a Hybrid role is based at our Edinburgh site and will requires on site attendance at the Edinburgh site.

Your Responsibilities Will Include

• Submission of Import and Export customs instructions to agents in accordance with UK customs regulations and company procedures to facilitate customs declarations, including:
• Ensuring that the correct export licences are applied to outgoing shipments and that records for export licence usage are correctly maintained on the company systems.
• Liaising with business to ensure correct and accurate clearance instructions can be issued to agent/import broker
• Instructing freight agent/ broker in accordance with business requirements
• Checking clearance information provided by agent/broker to ensure Leonardo instructions have been followed
• Checking customs entries following goods departure and address anomalies (with reference to site Trade Compliance lead)
• Addressing any anomalies identified (with reference to site Trade Compliance lead)
• Notifying business of import clearance conditions
• Develop an understanding of the Customs Declaration Service (CDS)
• Preparation of data packs relating to import and export transactions in readiness for internal and external audits, ensuring packs are recorded on company systems in accordance with company procedures
• Assisting with the preparation of reports for submission to UK authorities (such as Deferment reports and export licence transparency reports)
• Assisting with processing and reconciling Freight Forwarder invoices

What You'll Bring

• Experience supporting multiple stakeholders or customers, with the ability to prioritise workload and manage competing demands effectively
• A self-motivated approach with high personal work standards and strong attention to detail
• The ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, demonstrating supportive and cooperative behaviours
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, enabling you to work effectively with colleagues and external stakeholders
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook and solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Word, PowerPoint and Excel
• A high level of professionalism, with the confidence to interact with senior managers and external organisations
• The ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and integrity
• A keen willingness to learn and develop knowledge in import/export processes and trade compliance within Leonardo UK

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Primary Location

GB - Edinburgh

Contract Type

Permanent

Hybrid Working

Hybrid