Customs And Duty Manager

Our Role

• Manage day-to-day Customs Warehousing, DMS, AEO Authorisations in conjunction with the Customs and Duty operation, with accountability in Finance.
• Business owner of duty compliance process and systems within the Supply Chain with accountability in Finance and B&M. First point of contact for all duty-related queries, including HMRC audits/announced and unannounced visits at Rockingham.
• Oversee duty classification management (for both UK and HS commodity codes) of the entire product catalogue and collaborate with buying teams to ensure the accuracy of records.
• Business owner of customs compliance/documentation process and system within the Supply Chain with accountability in B&M and Finance, including ongoing updates of internal/Wincanton/Britannia SOPs and compliance checks.
• Oversee compliance document management, collaborating with QA managers to maintain an up-to-date compliance database for wider business use.
• Review Global duty opportunities to reduce indirect tax liability, including (but not limited to) iOSS.
• Support & advise B&M, Sourcing & Supplier Managers, Finance, and DC Goods In/Exports teams with duty & customs expertise and training to optimize commercial business decisions.
• Accountable for internal governance to manage Rules of Origin/GSP/ADD/etc. with responsibility in B&M.
• Lead and facilitate internal projects as the duty and customs SME to deliver required benefits, e.g., Transition to Wincanton.
• Work with Wincanton Duty Team to ensure duty/AEOc compliance is maintained in the day-to-day operations of Rockingham.
• Manage day-to-day relationships, ways of working, and ongoing SLA with Customs Brokers (Britannia), proactively maintaining stability in Myfreeway/Ricardo (DMS), Tradeflow data flows, with accountability in Finance and B&M.
• Collaborate with Finance to ensure TWC is up to date with all aspects of customs and duty compliance to maintain its AEOc status and comply with HMRC duty rules.
• Provide customs support for export shipments to DC Carrier Manager and Admin team, advising on requirements for exports paperwork/protocols to comply with customs clearance.

What you'll be doing

• Manage Customs compliance regimes with HMRC, working on supporting new guidelines, Brexit, audits, duty drawback initiatives, IT enhancements, and ensuring the integrity of procedures and legal documentation.
• Provide direction and support to DC and HO functions for import/export activities, ensuring compliance with regulatory guidelines.
• Evaluate compliance-related processes and procedures, recommending changes to improve efficiencies and cost-effectiveness.
• Lead and facilitate projects driven by the Supply Chain department to deliver required benefits.
• Challenge internal working practices and formulate initiatives/new working methods for continuous improvement.
• Manage business system upgrades and developments affecting customs & duty compliance within the Supply Chain.
• Test and integrate final results into daily operations, managing communication and instructions to all relevant parties (partners, freight forwarders, internal departments, etc.).
• Liaise and negotiate with the IT Project team to ensure functional requirements are captured from a Supply Chain and Compliance perspective and implemented successfully.
• Collaborate with Finance to assess and reconcile planned versus actual duty payments, proactively resolving issues causing over-payments.
• Provide training and support to B&M for accurate product classification for both GB and HS commodity codes using MyFreeway and Tradeflow classification tools.
• Identify project, operational, and compliance risks, escalating potential problems to the senior management team.
• Liaise with internal and external parties to ensure Logistics and Compliance requirements are met.
• Monitor updates and amendments to relevant Duty and Customs regulations, communicating as necessary (e.g., GSP, Bi-lateral trade agreements).
• Work with Finance to communicate with HMRC regarding periodic updates, system upgrades, audits, and re-authorisations of customs procedures.
• Communicate directly with Global customs authorities to work towards more favorable duty and customs processes for TWC (e.g., ROI/NI).
• Ensure DC and HO teams maintain Standard Operating Procedures and are fully trained in accordance with AEOc standards.
• Advise Transport manager on correct duty & customs requirements and procedures for international carriers, flagging any risks to Finance and Transport Management.
• Collaborate with Compliance Manager to ensure timely implementation of any regulatory changes impacting the business.
• Hold regular meetings with Customs Brokers.
• Longer-term, support, develop, and motivate team members through performance objectives and regular reviews.

What we’ll offer you

At The White Company, we value our employees for going the extra mile for every one of our customers; we reward this with great benefits and competitive salaries.

• Discount - Up to 50% discount and access to regular Sample Sales.
• Holiday - 25 days rising to 28 with length of service.
• Holiday Buy – opportunity to buy up to 5 days holiday.
• Pension Scheme - enrolled in our Group Personal Pension schemes upon joining the business.
• Bonus - all employees are entitled to join a discretionary bonus scheme (based on policy eligibility).
• Perkplace Benefits Platform – offering a variety of discounts across well-being and lifestyle.
• Wagestream Money Management app - access to Wagestream gives you power over your pay and supports financial wellbeing.
• Continued Development – structured support from our in-house Learning and Development Hub.
• Salary Sacrifice scheme for Electric vehicles (dependent on grade and meeting policy eligibility).
• Continued Development - Inclusion on our Leadership Development Programme (eligibility for contracts of 6 months plus Grade D & E roles only).
• Private Healthcare with additional Babylon Digital Healthcare (based on contract duration).
• Life Assurance.

Additional Benefits

• Fruit basket daily.
• Tea and coffee provided.
• Working from Home - option to work from home on Mondays and Fridays.
• Social - Christmas party/social events throughout the year.
• Seasonal Sample Sales.
• Volunteer Day - with a charity of your choice.
• Great Location - Close to transport links - over ground Shepherds Bush station / underground White City & Wood Lane stations. Westfield shopping centre with shops, restaurants/bars/cinema and gyms.

Our Equality Diversity and Inclusion statement of commitment

At The White Company, we are committed to creating an inclusive culture that welcomes and celebrates a diversity of backgrounds and identities. We are working together to ensure our environment is one where people can bring their authentic selves to work, where their contribution is valued, ability enhanced, and perspective appreciated. Where difference is respected, encouraged, and celebrated. Where you can feel you belong.

We are committed to an active Equality Diversity and Inclusion Policy, which starts with our recruitment and selection process. We’d love you to join us on our journey.

Our Sustainability statement of commitment

We are committed to building a sustainable legacy that will enable a brighter future for people and our planet. We believe this should be reflected in everything we do.