Customs Manager

DSJ Global; Rotterdam; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

DSJ Global in Rotterdam seeks a Customs Manager to lead and develop its customs and compliance function in the region. This hands-on role combines deep EU customs expertise with practical leadership to support growth, ensure regulatory compliance, and optimise processes across the business.

The successful candidate will oversee a growing customs team, partner with senior leadership, and drive improvements in data quality, controls, and annual compliance programmes while advising customers on

Qualifications

• Degree educated or equivalent professional experience.
• Approximately 5+ years of experience within Customs & Trade Compliance.
• Strong knowledge of EU customs legislation and customs declaration processes.
• Experience managing customs compliance programmes, audits, and customs authorisations.
• Background within logistics, freight forwarding, supply chain, or 3PL environments.
• Previous leadership, coaching, or team management experience.
• Proven ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels.
• Experience engaging with customs authorities and managing external stakeholder relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a customs and trade compliance team, fostering a high-performance and collaborative culture.
• Own and continuously improve the customs compliance framework, policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Ensure compliance with EU customs legislation, including customs declarations, classification, customs valuation, origin, and transit requirements.
• Provide expert guidance on direct and indirect fiscal representation and associated compliance risks.
• Support and maintain customs authorisations and compliance programmes, including AEO-related requirements.
• Prepare for and manage customs audits, inspections, and interactions with regulatory authorities.
• Act as the escalation point for complex customs matters, corrections, disputes, and compliance investigations.
• Advise customers on customs and trade compliance matters, helping them mitigate risk and improve processes.
• Drive implementation of new regulatory requirements, including developments relating to DMS, CBAM, sanctions compliance, and other relevant trade regulations.
• Identify opportunities for process optimisation, digitalisation, standardisation, and improved data quality.
• Maintain productive relationships with customs authorities, brokers, software providers, and external stakeholders.
• Provide training, guidance, and ongoing compliance awareness throughout the organisation.
• Contribute operationally when required, ensuring continuity during periods of absence or increased workload.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Analytical thinking

Risk assessment

Stakeholder influence

Communication

Commercial judgement

Education

Degree or equivalent

Job description

An international and market-leading logistics organisation is seeking a Customs Manager to lead and develop its customs and compliance function in the Rotterdam region. This is a strategically important position with responsibility for ensuring regulatory compliance, supporting operational continuity, and strengthening the organisation's customs framework as the business continues to grow.

The role requires a hands-on customs professional who combines deep expertise in European customs legislation with a practical, operational mindset. Working closely with senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, the successful candidate will oversee compliance, support commercial objectives, and provide leadership to a growing customs team.

Key Responsibilities

An international and market-leading logistics organisation is seeking a Customs Manager to lead and develop its customs and compliance function in the Rotterdam region. This is a strategically important position with responsibility for ensuring regulatory compliance, supporting operational continuity, and strengthening the organisation's customs framework as the business continues to grow.

The role requires a hands-on customs professional who combines deep expertise in European customs legislation with a practical, operational mindset. Working closely with senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, the successful candidate will oversee compliance, support commercial objectives, and provide leadership to a growing customs team.

• Lead, coach, and develop a customs and trade compliance team, fostering a high-performance and collaborative culture.
• Own and continuously improve the customs compliance framework, policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Ensure compliance with EU customs legislation, including customs declarations, classification, customs valuation, origin, and transit requirements.
• Provide expert guidance on direct and indirect fiscal representation and associated compliance risks.
• Support and maintain customs authorisations and compliance programmes, including AEO-related requirements.
• Prepare for and manage customs audits, inspections, and interactions with regulatory authorities.
• Act as the escalation point for complex customs matters, corrections, disputes, and compliance investigations.
• Advise customers on customs and trade compliance matters, helping them mitigate risk and improve processes.
• Drive implementation of new regulatory requirements, including developments relating to DMS, CBAM, sanctions compliance, and other relevant trade regulations.
• Identify opportunities for process optimisation, digitalisation, standardisation, and improved data quality.
• Maintain productive relationships with customs authorities, brokers, software providers, and external stakeholders.
• Provide training, guidance, and ongoing compliance awareness throughout the organisation.
• Contribute operationally when required, ensuring continuity during periods of absence or increased workload.

Profile

• Degree educated or equivalent professional experience.
• Approximately 5+ years of experience within Customs & Trade Compliance.
• Strong knowledge of EU customs legislation and customs declaration processes.
• Experience managing customs compliance programmes, audits, and customs authorisations.
• Background within logistics, freight forwarding, supply chain, or 3PL environments.
• Previous leadership, coaching, or team management experience.
• Proven ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels.
• Experience engaging with customs authorities and managing external stakeholder relationships.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and team development capabilities.
• Practical and solutions-oriented approach.
• Excellent analytical and risk assessment skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders at all organisational levels.
• Confident decision-maker with sound commercial judgement.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex regulations clearly.
• Highly organised with a structured and disciplined working style.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced and evolving logistics environment.
• Committed to maintaining compliance while supporting business growth and customer relationships.

Languages

• Dutch: Professional fluency required.
• English: Professional fluency required.

Interested?

This opportunity will suit an experienced customs and trade compliance professional with a strong logistics background, proven leadership capability, and a hands-on approach to managing both operational and strategic responsibilities. Candidates who enjoy developing teams, driving compliance improvements, and partnering with customers and regulatory stakeholders are encouraged to apply.