Senior Customs Operations Administrator

Maersk; Rotterdam; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Maersk in Rotterdam is seeking a Senior Customs Operations Administrator to coordinate and manage complex import, export and transit declarations, ensuring full regulatory compliance. You will act as a subject matter expert within the team and mentor less experienced colleagues.

You will build strong relationships with customers, customs authorities, carriers and internal stakeholders, analyze data, drive process improvements and support implementation of new business and changes.

Qualifications

• Several years of experience in customs operations or international trade compliance.
• Strong knowledge of import, export, transit, and customs clearance procedures.
• Experience with complex customs cases, audits, and escalations.
• Ability to coach and support team members.

Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee complex import, export, and transit declarations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely clearance of goods.
• Act as a subject matter expert for customs-related queries, providing guidance, coaching, and support to team members.
• Identify, investigate, and resolve customs-related issues, minimizing operational and financial risk.
• Ensure compliance with local regulations and internal standards.
• Build and maintain relationships with customers, customs authorities, carriers, and internal stakeholders.
• Analyze operational data and prepare reports with recommendations to improve efficiency and compliance.
• Take ownership of customer accounts and support implementation activities for new business and process changes.
• Lead or participate in continuous improvement initiatives, automation projects, and customs-related transformations.
• Support knowledge sharing, onboarding, and training activities within the team.
• Contribute to operational planning, workload distribution, and achievement of team performance objectives.
• Ensure all financial activities related to customs brokerage are completed accurately.

Skills

Customs operations

Import/export procedures

Compliance management

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Mentoring / coaching

English communication

Dutch (adv.)

Tools

Customs declaration systems

Job description

The Senior Customs Operations Administrator is responsible for coordinating and managing complex customs operations, ensuring full compliance with local and international customs regulations. Acting as a subject matter expert within the team, this role oversees end-to-end customs processes, supports less experienced colleagues, drives process improvements, and serves as a key point of contact for customers, customs authorities, and internal stakeholders.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee complex import, export, and transit declarations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely clearance of goods.

• Act as a subject matter expert for customs-related queries, providing guidance, coaching, and support to team members.

• Proactively identify, investigate, and resolve customs-related issues, exceptions, and escalations, minimizing operational and financial risk.

• Ensure compliance with all local customs regulations, statutory requirements, and internal compliance standards.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, customs authorities, carriers, and internal stakeholders.

• Analyze operational data and prepare reports, providing recommendations to improve efficiency, service quality, and compliance.

• Take ownership of customer accounts and support implementation activities for new business and process changes.

• Lead or actively participate in continuous improvement initiatives, automation projects, and customs-related transformations.

• Support knowledge sharing, onboarding, and training activities within the team.

• Contribute to operational planning, workload distribution, and achievement of team performance objectives.

• Ensure all financial activities related to customs brokerage are completed accurately and within agreed timelines.

Required Skills and Experience

• Several years of experience in customs operations, customs brokerage, or international trade compliance.

• Strong knowledge of import, export, transit, and customs clearance procedures.

• Solid understanding of local customs regulations of fruit, vegetables and Veterinary goods and practical experience working with customs authorities

• Experience handling complex customs cases, audits, escalations, and compliance-related matters.

• Proven ability to prioritize workload, meet deadlines, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail.

• Experience with customs declaration systems and customs-related software.

• Advanced customer-facing and stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to coach, mentor, and support colleagues within the team.

• Strong communication skills in English; Dutch is an advantage.

• Experience with perishables, veterinary goods, or controlled goods is considered a strong asset.

As part of our background check, you could be asked to obtain VOG.

Maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we embrace different styles of thinking. Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race, colour, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or parental leave, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.

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