Senior Customs Clearance Lead - FMCG & Cold Chain

Seara International; Jeddah; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Seara International in Jeddah is seeking a seasoned Customs Clearance Section Head to oversee end-to-end import and export clearance for raw materials, packaging, equipment, and finished goods in a frozen food environment.

You will ensure regulatory compliance with SFDA, customs rules, and cold-chain standards, and lead a clearance team to prevent shipment holds and minimize demurrage and detention costs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in logistics, SCM, international trade or a related field.
• 10+ years in customs clearance ops with at least 5 years in supervision.
• Experience in FMCG, food manufacturing or perishable goods.
• Proficient with customs portals and HS codes; strong regulatory knowledge.
• Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee import/export documentation, e.g., bills of lading, invoices, packing lists, origin certificates, halal and health certificates.
• Submit and track customs declarations via official portals and regional equivalents.
• Ensure correct HS classification and tariff application for food ingredients and equipment.
• Coordinate with SFDA, FDA, and other authorities to obtain permits and clearances.
• Manage cold-chain clearance, inspections and lab testing where applicable.
• Lead internal clerks and brokers, monitor KPIs and report clearance timelines and costs.
• Resolve delays, minimize demurrage, and optimize port release processes.

Skills

Customs clearance operations

Regulatory compliance

Team supervision

Port logistics

Documentation management

HS codes knowledge

Vendor management

Bilingual English/Arabic

Education

Bachelor's degree or Diploma in Logistics/SCM/International Trade

Relevant certifications (preferred)

Tools

Customs submission portals

Customs clearance software

Job description

Seara International in Jeddah is seeking a seasoned Customs Clearance Section Head to oversee end-to-end import and export clearance for raw materials, packaging, equipment, and finished goods in a frozen food environment.

You will ensure regulatory compliance with SFDA, customs rules, and cold-chain standards, and lead a clearance team to prevent shipment holds and minimize demurrage and detention costs.