Chief Customs & Trade Compliance

Deutsche Post; Dublin; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

DHL Global Forwarding Ireland is seeking a Head of Customs & Trade Compliance to lead Ireland's customs strategy and ensure compliant, efficient clearance across import/export and trans-shipment activities. You will guide regulatory interpretation, policy development and customer advisory services from Dublin.

The role requires extensive customs experience and a proven track record in leadership, risk management and stakeholder engagement within a multinational logistics environment.

Qualifications

• 12-15 years customs experience.
• 8 years management experience.
• Degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the Customs & Trade Compliance strategy for Ireland, ensuring alignment with business objectives, customer requirements, corporate guidelines and global functional priorities.
• Lead the planning, implementation and continuous review of Customs & Trade Compliance plans, objectives, budgets and initiatives to achieve business and operational goals.
• Provide expert guidance on customs regulations, international trade legislation, import and export controls, sanctions, customs valuation, tariff classification and trade compliance requirements.
• Ensure full compliance with all customs, trade compliance, fiscal, security and regulatory obligations, minimising risk to DHL Global Forwarding Ireland and its customers.
• Anticipate, assess and communicate changes in customs legislation, trade regulations and government requirements, ensuring appropriate actions are implemented across the business.
• Develop, implement and maintain customs compliance frameworks, policies, procedures and operating standards to support legal and regulatory compliance.
• Lead the fulfilment of customs requirements for import, export and trans-shipment activities, ensuring timely, compliant and efficient customs clearance processes.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with Customs Authorities, Revenue Commissioners, government agencies and industry bodies to support effective customs operations and regulatory compliance.
• Act as the primary escalation point for customs and trade compliance matters, providing advice and guidance to internal stakeholders, customers and commercial teams.
• Advise customers on customs and trade compliance matters, including import and export requirements, sanctions, permits, customs valuation, tariff classification and risk mitigation strategies.
• Support customer retention and growth through active participation in customer meetings, RFQs, tenders, solution design activities and strategic business reviews.
• Identify and lead the development of Customs & Trade Compliance products and services that support customer needs and business growth opportunities.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration with regional and global Customs & Trade Compliance teams, driving alignment, consistency and best practice implementation.
• Lead, motivate and develop a high-performing Customs & Trade Compliance function, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement and customer focus.
• Develop workforce, succession and talent plans to ensure the organisation has the skills, capability and expertise required to support future business growth.
• Establish and promote a structured training and development programme to ensure employees remain up to date on customs regulations, compliance obligations and industry best practices.
• Monitor operational performance through defined KPIs, service levels and quality measures, implementing corrective actions and improvement plans where required.
• Drive operational excellence through process optimisation, standardisation, automation and digitalisation initiatives to improve efficiency, compliance and customer experience.
• Oversee customs operational performance and documentation quality, ensuring productivity, cost control and service quality objectives are achieved.
• Ensure appropriate governance, controls and record management processes are maintained to support compliance, reporting and audit requirements.
• Lead change management initiatives within the Customs & Trade Compliance function, ensuring effective stakeholder engagement and successful implementation of business improvements.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across DHL Global Forwarding Ireland and externally, influencing decision-making and acting as a recognised subject matter expert in Customs & Trade Compliance.
• Promote a culture of integrity, compliance, quality, customer focus and continuous improvement across the Customs & Trade Compliance function.
• Ensure operational compliance to all revenue and international trade legislative requirements, and all requirements under Data Protection Legislation in addition to all DHL Global Forwarding Ireland policies and procedures (H&S, Quality, Environmental, HR, etc), and work in a manner that supports the Company environment programme.
• Participate in the implementation of operational processes and perform work to the standards of Good Distribution practice (GDP) for Life Science business, as required.

Skills

Team leadership

Managing relationships

Team development

Customer focus

Problem solving

Supporting change

Education

Degree preferred

Job description

DHL Global Forwarding Ireland is seeking a Head of Customs & Trade Compliance to lead Ireland's customs strategy and ensure compliant, efficient clearance across import/export and trans-shipment activities. You will guide regulatory interpretation, policy development and customer advisory services from Dublin.

The role requires extensive customs experience and a proven track record in leadership, risk management and stakeholder engagement within a multinational logistics environment.