Import and Customs Compliance Manager

Overview

In this role you lead the Perkins Engines Peterborough and Birchwood Imports Team, directing UK import operations and customs compliance. You’ll drive operational excellence in declarations, duties, and authorisations while ensuring timely delivery to customs warehouses. You’ll manage compliance programs, monitor regulatory changes, and support audit readiness. Your leadership will enable cross-functional collaboration and continuous improvement in international trade processes. This is a chance to shape compliant, efficient imports for a global manufacturing leader.

Pay / Benefits

• diverse, world-class business with competitive salary
• additional benefits
• flexible working options
• opportunity to lead a key operational customs team
• transformational role across functions
• professional development opportunities

Responsibilities

• Lead IP, CW, and SCDP authorisations to ensure UK compliance
• Oversee import customs operations including declarations and broker governance
• Develop and enhance customs policies, controls, and audit programmes
• Manage customs deferment account and related financial controls
• Serve as primary guidance point on import regulations, tariff classification, origin, and duty relief
• Partner with divisional and enterprise trade compliance teams on international trade initiatives
• Build relationships with Supply Chain, Logistics, Purchasing, Engineering, and Finance for alignment
• Monitor regulatory developments and implement process changes
• Drive continuous improvement through coaching, training, and process optimisation
• Ensure accurate customs record-keeping and audit readiness
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and duty recovery via Lean methods
• Manage relationships with brokers, carriers, freight forwarders, and logistics providers
• Oversee customs-related insurance claims and support risk management
• Lead, develop, and motivate the Imports Team with KPI-driven performance management

Key requirements

• Proven customs compliance, import operations, and authorisation regime experience (IP and CW)
• Strong UK customs knowledge: classification, valuation, origin, duty relief
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Analytical and data management capabilities; experience with data analytics is a plus
• Problem-solving with root-cause analysis and sustainable solutions
• Strong planning and organisational skills aligned to business objectives
• Decision-making and critical thinking in complex situations
• Experience using ERP and customs systems (SAP, QAD EE, CDS)
• Previous people management experience with coaching and development
• Relevant customs/international trade/compliance qualifications are desirable

• communication
• stakeholder management
• analytical mindset
• SAP
• QAD EE
• Customs Duty Management systems

…