AME Customs Manager

Koch Industries, Inc; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

Koch Industries, Inc. seeks a Customs Manager to lead customs and trade compliance across the Africa and Middle East region. You will ensure compliant, cost-effective import/export operations while minimizing risks, delays, penalties and extra costs.

You will supervise a customs team, coordinate with Logistics, Procurement, Finance, Legal and external providers, and drive regional policy development and continuous process improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in International Trade, Logistics, or related field.
• Strong knowledge of tariff classification, customs valuation, origin rules and FTAs.
• Experience in a senior customs or regional coordination role.
• Experience with SAP, ERP systems or customs compliance tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate customs and trade compliance across the AME region.
• Supervise the customs team, prioritize tasks and ensure day-to-day execution.
• Provide coaching and performance feedback to team members.
• Manage relationships with brokers, forwarders, consultants and authorities.
• Develop and maintain regional customs policies, procedures and controls.
• Support audits, inspections and corrective actions as needed.
• Deliver customs training and guidance to Logistics and other teams.
• Prepare reports on performance, risks, costs and improvement initiatives.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

English fluency

Education

Bachelor's degree in International Trade, Logistics, or related field

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

Job description

The Customs Manager will lead and coordinate customs and trade compliance activities across the Africa and Middle East region The role is responsible for ensuring compliant efficient and cost-effective import and export operations while minimizing customs risks delays penalties and additional costs The Customs Manager will also supervise a customs team ensuring effective task allocation, performance management, capability development and consistent execution across the region The role will work closely with Logistics, Supply Chain, Procurement, Commercial, Finance, Tax, Legal, local operations and external service providers

What You Will Do

• Ensure compliance with applicable customs import export and international trade regulations across the AME region
• Lead and supervise the customs team setting priorities allocating responsibilities and ensuring effective day-to-day execution
• Provide coaching guidance and performance feedback to team members supporting their professional development
• Ensure appropriate workload distribution operational coverage and continuity within the customs function
• Coordinate and oversee customs clearance activities acting as the main escalation point for delays inspections disputes and complex customs matters
• Ensure the accuracy of customs declarations tariff classifications customs valuation country of origin and supporting documentation
• Monitor regulatory changes and translate new requirements into practical procedures and controls
• Develop implement and maintain regional customs policies standard operating procedures and compliance controls
• Manage relationships with customs brokers freight forwarders consultants and customs authorities
• Monitor service-provider performance including clearance lead times declaration accuracy costs and compliance incidents
• Identify opportunities to optimize customs duties and costs through free trade agreements duty exemptions temporary admission bonded warehousing and other customs regimes
• Support customs audits inspections and investigations ensuring that corrective actions are implemented on time
• Provide customs advice for new products suppliers customers routes contracts and business models
• Deliver customs training and guidance to Logistics Supply Chain and other relevant teams
• Prepare regular reports on customs performance risks costs penalties audits and improvement initiatives
• Drive standardization digitalization and continuous improvement of customs processes across the region

Requirements

• Bachelor s degree in International Trade, Logistics, Supply Chain, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
• Strong experience in customs, international trade, import/export operations or trade compliance.
• Previous experience in a senior customs or regional coordination role.
• Strong knowledge of tariff classification, customs valuation, rules of origin, free trade agreements, customs documentation and special customs procedures.
• Proven experience working with customs authorities, customs brokers, freight forwarders and logistics service providers.
• Experience supporting customs audits, disputes, compliance reviews and corrective-action plans.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, negotiation and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and matrix organization.
• High level of integrity, accuracy, accountability and professional judgement.
• Fluent written and spoken English.
• Arabic would be an advantage.
• Experience with SAP, ERP systems or customs compliance tools would be beneficial.
• Experience managing customs operations across multiple countries, preferably within Africa and the Middle East.
• Availability to travel within the AME region when required.