Senior Customs Specialist

Senior Customs Specialist - Full Time - Wimbledon, South West London

This unique opportunity will allow the holder of the position to shape the future of the business by establishing, leading and governing major business and culture change. This high profile position will require a professional approach and the ideal candidate must possess the appropriate skills to develop a large import and customs team and framework. If you are a talented multi-tasker with the drive to deliver immediate and creative solution design in a challenging and extremely fast paced environment, this might be the ideal role for you.

Customs and Excise is a key function for a wide range of multinationals across the UK. At Lidl, we are committed to ensuring that our team can deliver a high quality operation and have preparations in place to execute all necessary customs formalities. As part of the senior leadership team within Customs and Import, in this role you will be responsible for developing and overseeing Lidl's UK customs and excise strategy, including preparing and advising the business of any updates to UK import (and possibly export) regulations to ensure the business remains up to date with any changes that may occur.

You will develop, co-ordinate and oversee effective implementation and operation of international trade controls and processes. The ideal candidate will have experience in regulatory compliance in relation to business activities from non-EU countries. You will address trade compliance issues to mitigate import (as well as potential export) compliance risks and work closely with all stakeholders to ensure non-UK entities follow all the international and national regulations for the movement of goods.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading part in our strategy across our wider business network while making sure we are prepared for the challenges ahead.

What will you do?

•Leading the Customs and Import Team alongside your counterpart, with responsibility for processes and systems
•Building and maintaining strong relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
•Undertaking continuous analysis of the regulatory environment, in particular trade tariffs/duties and trade restrictions/requirements and ensuring accurate communication to the wider business
•Managing the liaison between regulatory bodies, trade partners and relevant internal departments
•Mapping Lidl GB's complex supply chain and identifying risks and opportunities
•Supporting relevant stakeholders in scenario planning and modelling different scenarios and requirements and their impact on all business areas
•Building and maintaining relationships with customs brokers
•Planning and managing multiple complex projects in deadline-driven environment
•Understanding the objectives and the impact of projects on the business and driving solutions to business critical issues
•Developing a large in-house import and customs department including recruitment, training and talent management
•Developing, implementing, and optimising departmental strategy, processes, systems, policies and standards
•Supporting the Director in all customs related matters and providing regular status reports up to Board level

What will you need?

•Extensive knowledge of import from non-EU countries, particularly the documentation and certificates needed for goods to enter the UK in a rapidly evolving compliance landscape
•In depth knowledge and experience in Customs and Excise regulations
•Experience managing Customs Compliance, identifying and correcting potential violations and providing management with summary reports
•Comfortable working with a complex system landscape, including SAP, GTS and customs broker systems
•Strong leadership and organisational management skills
•Powerful influencing and communication skills with the ability to liaise effectively with employees across all levels of the business
•Strong project management skills to be able to work collaboratively with a range of business departments to complete a project successfully
•Ability to understand and present complex issues clearly and concisely
•Strong analytical and problem solving skills
•Process focused with attention to detail and experience in setting up and managing processes and procedures
•Solid presentation skills, comfortable working with a variety of stakeholders at all levels

What do we offer?

•Competitive salary
•Additional 10% London Weighting (non-contractual) for employees working within the M25
•35 days holiday per annum (pro rata, including Bank Holidays)
•A contributory pension scheme
•Private medical insurance
•10% discount on all Lidl products, in all stores throughout the UK
•Access to corporate discounts on a range of products and services (including holidays, home and garden products, leisure activities and more)
•Brilliant opportunities to take on more responsibility and long term career prospect
Please note your employment is conditional upon the Company's receipt of satisfactory references and if requested by the Company, a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check