Trade Compliance Manager

Willis Global; Coventry; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary up to £65K

Annual bonus 12.5%

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Pension up to 10% contribution

Medical insurance for single

One day WFH

Job summary

Willis Global in Coventry is recruiting a Trade Compliance Manager to lead global trade and security compliance programs across the Aerospace & Defence sectors, ensuring lawful, secure, and uninterrupted operations. The role requires subject matter expertise in export controls, import compliance, sanctions, controlled data and industrial security.

Working across Engineering, Supply Chain, Shipping, Legal and IT, you will develop policies, conduct audits, provide training, and manage licensing

Qualifications

• Proven experience in global trade compliance or regulated aerospace environments.
• Knowledge of UK Export Controls, ITAR/EAR and OFAC/OFSI.
• Experience with industrial security programs and GSCP requirements.
• Ability to develop, implement and audit compliance policies and training.

Responsibilities

• Direct and lead global trade and security compliance programs.
• Translate complex regulations into operational guidance for the business.
• Oversee export and import compliance activities, licensing and sanctions screening.
• Provide day-to-day guidance to Engineering, Program Management, Supply Chain, Shipping, Operations and Legal.

Skills

Global trade compliance

Export controls

Security/compliance programs

Regulatory interpretation

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

Our client, a leading manufacturer for the Aerospace & Defence sectors and specialising in designing, building, and servicing flight control, hydraulic, fuel, thermal management, and engine systems for commercial and military aviation are recruiting for a Trade Compliance Manager, based at offices in Coventry.

The role is based onsite 4 days a week.

On Offer:

• An opportunity to join a leading manufacturing division for the Aerospace and Defence sectors of a globally recognised Multi-National organisation. The division has great potential for future growth with strong financial backing.
• Salary up to £65K, depending on experience
• Annual bonus of 12.5%. Due to success of business this usually pays above 100%
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays / Pension up to 10% contribution / Medical insurance for single / One day WFH

Main Purpose of the Trade Compliance Manager:

The Trade and Security Compliance Manager is responsible for leading and sustaining global trade compliance and security compliance programs to ensure the lawful, secure, and uninterrupted execution of domestic and international business. This role serves as the subject matter expert for export controls, import compliance, sanctions, controlled technical data, and industrial security requirements, while also supporting secure government program execution across the full business lifecycle.

The Trade and Security Compliance Manager develops and administers policies, procedures, training, audits, and corrective actions that support compliance with UK Export Controls, ITAR, EAR, OFAC/OFSI, customs/import requirements, AEO, IPR, Customs Warehousing, GSCP, DFARS, and CUI-related obligations.

Working across Engineering, Program Management, Supply Chain, Shipping, Legal, HR, IT, Group Security, and site leadership, this position ensures that business operations, technical data handling, and government program activities are conducted in accordance with regulatory requirements, customer commitments, and internal company standards.

Duties & Responsibilities of the Trade Compliance Manager:

• Direct & lead the global trade and security compliance programs, ensuring business operations, customer programs, and international transactions are executed in accordance with applicable regulatory, contractual, and company requirements.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for UK Export Controls, ITAR, EAR, OFAC/OFSI, customs/import requirements, AEO, IPR, Customs Warehousing, GSCP, DFARS, and UK/International Government industrial security requirements, translating complex regulations into clear operational guidance for the business.
• Oversee compliance with Preferential Origin, Inward Processing Relief, VAT Notice 744c, Air Worthiness Relief, Customs Warehousing and other Duty & Tax recovery programs;
• Develop, implement, and maintain compliance policies, procedures, internal controls, and recordkeeping practices covering exports, imports, sanctions screening, controlled technical data, secure program access, and incident escalation.
• Oversee export and import compliance activities, including jurisdiction and classification support, authorization determinations, denied party screening, shipment documentation, customs entry coordination, and resolution of compliance issues or government inquiries.
• Provide day-to-day guidance to Engineering, Program Management, Supply Chain, Shipping/Receiving, Operations, and other functions on the transfer, access, handling, and protection of controlled products, technical data, software, and government-related information.
• Administer the division’s security program access, visitor controls, facility security, citizenship based access requirements where applicable, and safeguarding of sensitive materials.
• Ensure compliance with requirements for the marking, handling, storage, transmission, retention, and disposition of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), Federal Contract Information (FCI), export-controlled technical data, and other sensitive or restricted information.
• Support secure program execution by coordinating with customer security offices, government representatives, prime contractors, IT, and Information Security to address contractual security, cybersecurity, and data protection requirements, including DFARS, GSCP, NATO, International equivalents and CMMC-related expectations.
• Develop, implement and continuously improve & standardise trade compliance processes, controls, policies and procedures across multiples sites & divisions
• Manage compliance across multiple sites & divisions with UK Government Security Classification Policy, NATO Security Requirements and other nations security flow-down requirements.
• Manage export licencing activities, including OGEL, OIEL, SIEL, F680, ITAR and EAR authorisations and support licencing requirements across divisions.
• Oversee export control classification of products, technology and software, maintaining effective classification, justification, processes and recordkeeping.

Skills and Experience Required to be Considered:

• Proven professional experience in global trade compliance, export/import operations, security compliance, or regulated government/aerospace environments, with demonstrated ownership of program execution and compliance outcomes.
• Strong working knowledge of UK Military Export Controls, ITAR, EAR, OFAC/OFSI, customs/import requirements, and export-controlled technical data handling, including practical application in manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, or government contract environments.
• Demonstrated experience administering or supporting industrial security programs, including familiarity with GSCP requirements and interaction with MoD or comparable government security expectations.
• Experience developing and implementing compliance procedures, internal controls, training programs, and audit or self-assessment activities.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and interact effectively with leadership, customers, auditors, and government stakeholders.
• High degree of integrity, discretion, and sound judgment in handling sensitive, proprietary, export controlled, and government-related information.
• Strong organisational and project management capability, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate records, and drive issues to closure.