Customs Brokerage Operations Manager

Careers at Top1Movers Worldwide Inc.; Manila; On-site; PHP 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Top1Movers Worldwide Inc. is seeking an experienced Head of Customs Brokerage Operations in Manila to lead end-to-end clearance, SOP development, and KPI monitoring. You will oversee sea and air clearance, compliance, and client satisfaction while building a high-performance team and robust reporting.

A hands-on leader with 8+ years in customs operations and a track record of SOPs and KPIs is required. Responsibilities include regulatory compliance, stakeholder management, and cost control, with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field.
• 8+ years in customs brokerage operations in the Philippines.
• 8+ years in a managerial role leading supervisors, declarants, and processors.
• Proven track record running high-volume import/export clearance (sea and air).
• Expert user of E2M system and BOC online platforms.
• Experience building SOPs and KPIs for brokerage operations.
• Established working network at Port of Manila, MICP, and NAIA.
• Strong MS Office and shipment tracking skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily sea and air clearance (FCL, LCL, air, consol).
• Timely lodgement, payment, examination and release.
• Allocate workload by volume and priority.
• Act early on holds, alerts, missing permits.
• Write and enforce SOPs for all clearance processes.
• Maximize E2M, BOC platforms, tracking tools.
• Weekly and monthly reports to Management.
• Find bottlenecks and lead improvement projects.
• Review trucker and warehouse performance.

Skills

Problem-Solving

Integrity

Communication

Analytical Thinking

Detail Orientation

Team Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Customs Administration, Logistics, SCM, or related

Tools

E2M system

BOC online platforms

MS Office (Excel)

Shipment tracking systems

Job description

Leads the end-to-end customs brokerage operation, from pre-arrival documentation to cargo release and delivery. Owns clearance speed, compliance, team performance, and client satisfaction. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader capable of developing the department's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and establishing a KPI dashboard to monitor operational performance.

Duties and Responsibilities

Operations Management

• Oversee daily sea and air clearance (FCL, LCL, air, consol)
• Timely lodgement, payment, examination and release.
• Allocate workload by volume and priority.
• Act early on holds, alerts, missing permits.

Regulatory Compliance

• Comply with CMTA and BOC issuances (CAOs, CMOs, CMCs)
• Review AHTN classification, valuation, duties, FTA claims
• Handle alerts, hold orders, exams, post-clearance audit
• Turn regulatory changes into updated procedures

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Senior contact for key accounts and escalations
• Professional ties with BOC, port authorities, agencies
• Technical support to Sales on quotations
• Recruit, onboard, and train staff
• Build skills matrix and succession plan
• Culture of accuracy, accountability, integrity

Systems, SOPs & Reporting

• Write and enforce SOPs for all clearance processes
• Maximize E2M, BOC platforms, tracking tools
• Weekly and monthly reports to Management

Cost Control & Improvement

• Find bottlenecks and lead improvement projects
• Review trucker and warehouse performance

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Customs Administration, Logistics, Supply Chain, Business Admin, or related

Experience

• At least 8 years of hands-on experience in customs brokerage operations in the
• Philippines
• At least 8 years in a managerial role leading supervisors, declarants, and processors
• Proven track record running high-volume import and export clearance (sea and air)
• Deep expertise in CMTA, AHTN classification, customs valuation, and BOC procedures
• Expert user of the E2M system and BOC online platforms
• Has handled alerts, hold orders, examinations, and post-clearance audits end to end
• Has built and implemented SOPs and KPIs for a brokerage operation
• Established working network at Port of Manila, MICP, and NAIA
• MS Office (esp. Excel) and shipment tracking systems

Strong Advantages if

• Licensed Customs Broker (PRC, RA 9280)
• PEZA/ecozone, BOI, bonded warehouse transactions
• Regulated commodities: food, pharma, chemicals, electronics, agri
• TMS/ERP or digital clearance tracking
• Lean / Six Sigma training

Core Competencies

• Problem-Solving: Resolves holds, alerts, and delays quickly and lawfully
• Integrity: Ethical in all dealings with government and clients
• Communication: Clear and confident with clients, staff, and officials
• Analytical Thinking: Uses data to manage performance and costs
• Detail Orientation: Catches errors before they become penalties

Team Supervised

• Operations Supervisor
• Processors
• Documentation Staff
• Operations
• Liaison / Field Staff

Key Result Area

• Clearance Efficiency:Shipments lodged and released within target turnaround, with at least no demurrage and storage charges incurred.
• Compliance: Zero penalties, seizures, or alerts from documentation or classification errors
• Client Satisfaction: High retention; complaints resolved within agreed timelines
• Team Performance: Trained, productive team with clear roles, KPIs, and low turnover
• Process & Cost Control: Documented SOPs, less rework, measurable cost savings