Customs Manager

Job description

Job Description

Title:  Customs Operations Manager - Europe
Department:  Customs , Supply Chain
Reports to:  Head of Customs 
Location:  Islip, UK  

Overview of role
Primarily the purpose of this role is to oversee all aspects of the customs operational activities across our European import countries. This comprises of SASP (ROI,UK &NL), Spain and Czech Republic (air and sea) plus any additional countries in Europe as and when they may come online. To ensure disruption to the flow of goods due to potential customs issues is kept to a minimum and speed to market is maximised whilst satisfying the requirements of the relevant customs authorities and operating within the boundaries of any customs authorisations held.

Key Responsibilities:
•Operate and maintain a duty management system for Primark and manage a team of country co-ordinators
•Ensure all documents (where required) are in place prior to arrival of the goods
•Ensuring timely accurate submission of import declarations
•Prepare and submit export declarations
•Prepare and submit departure and arrival messages under the transit system as and when required and ensure any accompanying paperwork is in place
•Ensure any month end deadlines are met in a timely manner
•Responsible for the Customs Operations Team with assistance in the day to day management of the team from the Customs Operations Team Leader 
•Assist in the Tariff Classification team when required
•Act as the escalation point for all operational queries 
•Respond to any system failures and invoke fallback procedures if necessary 
•Process post clearance amendments systematically when required
•Liaise with all internal stakeholders such as Finance in terms of duty and Import VAT paid accuracy and reconciliation.
•Build and develop relationships with internal stakeholders and be the first point of escalation for issues arising
•Liaise with external stakeholders such as Freight Managers, Customs Brokers where applicable and suppliers when additional information maybe required
•Ensure reporting requirements are met e.g VAT report, Dutch CBS report, Intratstat etc
•Management of deferment accounts and any other guarantees that are in place e.g Transit
•Manage any ICT/IBT customs requirements
•Manage the Canary Island process
•Work closely with the Inbound team from origin to destination to ensure timely delivery of containers
•Assist the Customs Compliance and Audit Manager with data and reporting for controls put in place and act upon any recommendations as a result
•Manage the authorisations Primark holds and ensure we operate within the conditions in conjunction with the Customs Audit & Compliance Manager
•Ensure the transition to CDS and AIS doesn’t impact negatively
•Regularly meet all customs authorities in the countries in which we have a function and assist with any operational queries including the change to EIDR and upgrade of AEP in Ireland to AIS
•Produce management information reporting to assist the business including but not limited to the Customs Compliance and Audit team and the Head of Customs

Essential knowledge, skills and experience:
•3 years experience working in the area of customs and duty management
•Good verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to foster a great team ethos.
•Ability to build and develop good working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders across all levels
•Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines and to manage/support others who are under pressure.
•Ability to work under own initiative and make decisions.
•Ability to influence others
•Proven ability in managing and developing a team
•Openness to change
•Good working knowledge of customs legislation and practical experience of customs operations.
•Excellent Excel skills and good experience of other Microsoft Office programmes, for example, PowerPoint, Access, Word, etc.
•Travel required approximately 15%

Req ID

65178BR
Function

Supply Chain & Warehousing
Location

Reading Head Office
Country

United Kingdom
Job Type

Employee - Permanent
Job Profile

Customs, Trade and Compliance - Manager
Time Type

Full-Time