Trade Compliance Manager (Customs)

Overview

As Trade Compliance Manager, you lead Caterpillar’s UK trade compliance programme and govern import/export activities to support global operations. You will coach a small team, advise leaders, and balance regulatory requirements with commercial goals to keep goods moving efficiently and compliantly. The role blends technical expertise with strategic thinking in a collaborative environment, offering impact across cross-border processes and continuous improvement. This is a hands-on, leadership-focused opportunity in a high-stakes, global supply chain context.

Pay / Benefits

• 25 days annual leave
• Up to 12% Bonus
• Pension scheme ( Caterpillar contributes up to 10%)
• Share scheme (company matches 50% of employee contribution)
• Flexible benefits including health and dental plans
• EV car lease option

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day UK trade compliance activities (import/export controls, customs declarations, valuation, origin, tariff classification)
• Lead a small Supply Chain team and align activities with business goals
• Be subject matter expert for trade compliance; provide internal guidance
• Collaborate with division compliance teams and enterprise trade advisors on initiatives impacted by international trade laws
• Coordinate with stakeholders (purchasing, resources, supply chain, engineering, logistics) for alignment
• Oversee accuracy of customs declarations by brokers/agents
• Develop and maintain trade compliance procedures, controls, and internal instructions
• Lead internal transaction audits to identify improvement opportunities
• Monitor changes in UK/international trade regulations and assess impact
• Drive continuous improvement and training to raise compliance awareness
• Partner with Procurement, Logistics, and Supply Chain to embed compliance in processes
• Manage relationships with brokers, forwarders, and external advisors
• Support projects involving new markets/products/systems
• Prepare management reports on key compliance metrics, risks, and remediation actions

Key requirements

• Extensive experience in UK customs and trade compliance
• Expert knowledge of UK import/export requirements: valuation, classification, origin, preferences
• Experience with HMRC, customs brokers, freight forwarders, internal stakeholders
• Proven track record in developing and maintaining trade compliance procedures, controls, and audits
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and training with customs declaration systems
• Strong communication skills for non-specialist audiences
• Knowledge of SOPs and ability to design and evaluate procedures for efficiency
• Attention to detail and accuracy in complex compliance matters
• Analytical thinking to interpret legislation and apply it to business scenarios
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment
• Leadership experience in supervising teams
• Experience with QAD, SAP and similar systems
• Knowledge of UK CDS requirements and declaration data elements
• Experience with preferential origin reviews, supplier declarations, and FTAs
• Professional qualification/training in customs, international trade, logistics, or supply chain management

• Strong communication
• Collaborative mindset
• Stakeholder engagement
• QAD
• SAP
• Microsoft Excel

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