EMEA Transport & Trade Compliance Lead

Job Description

Responsibilities

• Lead the EMEA transportation network across manufacturing sites, distribution centres, sterilisation facilities, suppliers and affiliate markets.
• Govern carrier, freight forwarder, control tower and transportation provider performance through KPI management, cost optimisation and service reviews.
• Support transportation strategy for network changes, acquisitions, divestitures, legal entity transitions and product launches.
• Develop transportation risk mitigation plans to support supply continuity and customer service.
• Lead transportation continuous improvement initiatives focused on service, cost, compliance and sustainability.
• Partner with Supply Chain teams to optimise transportation modes, inventory strategies and distribution networks.
• Ensure transportation processes align with GDP, quality and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor transportation spend and identify opportunities for productivity and cost savings.
• Support transportation readiness activities associated with new legal entities, distribution centres and operating model changes.
• Serve as the EMEA Trade Compliance Lead responsible for governance and oversight of customs and international trade activities across all operating countries.
• Develop and maintain the regional trade compliance framework, policies, procedures and internal controls to ensure compliance with applicable customs and trade regulations.
• Provide strategic leadership on customs valuation, tariff classification, country of origin, import/export requirements, sanctions screening and restricted party compliance.
• Lead AEO, Trusted Trader and customs authorisation programmes across the region.
• Ensure governance and oversight of Special Procedures including Inward Processing, Outward Processing, Customs Warehousing, Transit and Duty Relief programmes.
• Partner with Tax, Finance and Legal teams to ensure alignment of customs and VAT requirements supporting import and export activities.
• Oversee customs broker governance including broker onboarding, performance management, instructions, compliance reviews and process standardisation.
• Lead trade compliance readiness activities supporting legal entity changes, acquisitions, divestitures and organisational transformations.
• Drive trade automation, process harmonisation and standardisation initiatives across EMEA.
• Establish regional compliance monitoring programmes, KPI reporting and audit readiness processes.
• Lead customs audits, internal assessments, investigations and corrective action plans.
• Monitor regulatory developments and assess operational impacts across the EMEA region.
• Support business continuity by identifying and mitigating customs and cross-border trade risks.
• Act as the primary escalation point for complex customs, import/export and regulatory issues.
• Partner with government authorities, customs administrations, industry associations and external advisors where required.
• Provide strategic guidance to Supply Chain, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, Procurement and Commercial teams on trade compliance implications.
• Lead post separation trade compliance operating model development and governance activities.
• Support implementation of new customs registrations, EORI structures, importer/exporter frameworks and duty management processes.
• Develop training programmes to improve trade compliance awareness and accountability across EMEA operations.
• Represent Transportation and Trade Compliance within EMEA Supply Chain leadership forums.
• Partner with Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, Tax, Legal, Procurement and Finance teams to ensure compliant product flow.
• Lead cross functional initiatives supporting business growth, network optimisation and operational excellence.
• Drive governance reviews and provide executive level reporting on transportation and trade compliance performance.
• Build and develop a high performing regional Transportation and Trade Compliance organisation.

Requirements

• Strong knowledge of EU Customs legislation, UK customs requirements and EMEA import/export regulations.
• Experience managing customs brokers and transportation providers across multiple countries.
• Knowledge of Special Procedures, customs audits and customs authorisations.
• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, divestitures or legal entity transformations.
• Demonstrated success leading regional trade compliance governance programmes within a highly regulated environment.
• Accountability, Coaching, Communication, Data Analysis, Digital Supply Chain Management, Distribution Management, Mental Agility, Order Management, Organizing, Problem Solving, Safety Oriented, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Strategic Supply Chain Management, Sustainable Distribution, Transportation Management, Transportation Management Systems (TMS), Transport Networks.
• Demonstrates an understanding of AI concepts and frameworks, including awareness of responsible and ethical AI practices, and has experience generating effective prompts to boost efficiency and productivity.