Trade Compliance Specialist

Leonardo UK Ltd; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 54,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Bonus scheme

Private healthcare

Pension up to 15%

Job summary

Leonardo UK Ltd. is seeking a Trade Compliance Specialist to support UK Export Control and trade compliance across Southampton operations. You will handle licensing, record-keeping, and engagement with project teams to ensure regulatory accuracy and timely approvals.

The role involves collaboration with IPTs, audits, and guidance on licensing, including MoD forms and export permits, with hybrid working between site and home offices. Travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Experience in UK Export Licensing and trade controls.
• Knowledge of ITAR/EAR and related authorisations.
• Strong understanding of UK/EU customs regulations.

Responsibilities

• Ensure record keeping to HMRC and BIST regulations.
• Manage re-exports, customs controls and licensing processes.
• Advise Project Teams on licensing requirements and compliance.
• Support audits related to export control and trade compliance.
• Process MoD/other government licence applications and related documentation.

Skills

Export control

Trade compliance

Export licensing

ITAR/EAR knowledge

UK/EU customs

Tools

SAP

Job description

Job Description: Salary Range £54,000 - £68,000. 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 As a Trade Compliance Specialist you will work within our Trade Compliance department to support the management of aspects relating to UK Export Control and Trade Compliance. You will be part of a team which provides a business support service, including advice and guidance, to Leonardo's Southampton business operations and functions to ensure the business remains compliant with UK and other relevant trade control laws and regulations. The role may involve some national travel and possibly international travel. Hybrid working, the role will be a mixture of onsite working and home working.

What you'll do as a Trade Compliance Specialist

Ensure record keeping is in accordance with company procedures to comply with HMRC and BIST regulations. Processing of re-exports of imported goods under Customs control to ensure financial liabilities can be discharged. Work with Project Teams and functions to ensure that Export Control and Trade Compliance aspects of Equipment and Technology (including data) are properly managed by IPTs in compliance with UK and Foreign export authorisations. Support preparations for internal/external audits relating to Export Control and Trade Compliance matters. Provide advice and guidance to Project Teams to ensure compliance with UK Export Control regulations, as well as conforming with internal corporate policies and procedures. This will include advising the internal business of the most appropriate and valid UK export licences for their needs including any required authorisations, e.g. MOD Form 680s, End User Stockist Undertakings and other government permissions necessary for the export from the UK of tangibles and intangibles. UK Export Licensing submission and management of Export Licence applications to the UK Export Control Joint Unit (“ECJU”) via SPIRE / LITE to ensure UK export licences meet company requirements. Submission, where required, of MoD Form 680 (“F680”) applications to UK MoD via SPIRE/LITE and liaison with UK MoD in order to secure approvals consistent with the company requirements. Undertake specialist work and provide professional advice and make recommendations to Project Teams (“IPTs”) to support their effectiveness to ensure Commodity List Classification (CLC)/ Export Control Ratings are in place to support compliance with UK Export regulations. Ensure the IPTs achieve clear guidance on licensing and customs matters in order to secure outputs to time; Contribute at all stages of the IPTs delivery to ensure that compliance is taken into account and adhered to at all stages; Proactively contribute to planning and management through the application of technical expertise of export licensing and customs management; Import Control. Ensure the correct processing of imported goods in accordance with the relevant Customs Authorisations, including associated record keeping and periodic reporting to HMRC. Provide import clearance instructions to freight agents in an efficient and timely manner to enable prompt customs clearance and delivery of goods to the business. Process internal reports and ensure record keeping is completed to ensure compliance with HMRC regulations. Export Control and related customs procedures process export notifications and requests, providing the business with accurate export documentation in an efficient and timely manner, assigning appropriate Export licences and customs procedures within the company business systems (currently SAP). Provide export clearance documentation and instructions to the Shipping Agent Support and prepare for internal and external audits.

What You'll Bring

• Experienced export control/trade compliance practitioner with
• Detailed knowledge of UK Export Licencing, including Trade Controls.
• Good working knowledge of foreign import / export regulations, particularly EU Member States and the US ITAR and US EAR, including US ITAR Agreements and General Correspondence / Retransfer requests under US and other export control regulations.
• Good working knowledge of UK/EU Customs regulations
• Presentation skills in order to deliver training
• Good all round computer literacy including Microsoft Office applications

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 - Southampton Contract Type: Permanent Hybrid Working: Hybrid International, multicultural, innovative, technological: this is Leonardo.

The company’s passionate and talented team is strongly influenced by STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) expertise, with a diverse range of experience that enables colleagues to share knowledge and know-how across the generations. Leonardo always wants to expand its talent pool, here you can find the right opportunity for you!