Customs Manager

Overview

In this role, you lead Lear’s UK Customs Team to ensure compliant and efficient movement of goods across UK operations. You act as the UK customs expert and business partner, solving operational challenges and driving continuous improvement in a fast-paced, international environment. You’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams and customs authorities to protect business continuity and support customers. This is a hands-on leadership position that combines people development with technical customs expertise, in a company known for innovation and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a team of customs professionals.
• Ensure compliant and efficient customs operations with a focus on import activities.
• Support the business during critical shipments, customs escalations and operational challenges.
• Act as the primary point of contact for UK customs authorities, customs brokers and key business stakeholders.
• Drive the use of customs technologies, automation tools and procedures, including Inward Processing Relief (IPR).
• Oversee customs classifications, valuation, preferential origin and broker performance.
• Partner with operations, logistics, procurement, finance and commercial teams to protect business continuity.
• Collaborate with customs colleagues across EMEA and globally to support shared customers and international supply chains.
• Identify opportunities to simplify processes, improve efficiency and strengthen compliance.

Key requirements

• 7+ years of experience in customs compliance and customs operations.
• Experience managing and developing people, ideally leading a team of customs specialists.
• Strong hands-on experience with customs clearance processes, not purely advisory or compliance roles.
• Experience in manufacturing, automotive, logistics, freight forwarding, or complex international supply chains preferred.
• Experience dealing directly with customs authorities, customs brokers and operational stakeholders.
• Excellent knowledge of UK customs legislation and procedures.
• Experience with customs software, automation tools and ERP systems, SAP preferred.

• Leadership
• People development
• Collaboration
• Customs clearance processes
• Customs software and automation tools
• IPR (Inward Processing Relief)

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