Customs Team Leader/Supervisor

Our client, a well-established customs clearance agent with over 20 years of trading, is looking for a Customs Team Leader to join their team based at offices near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

On Offer:

• Brand new offices and warehouse facility, located on a growing business park with many new facilities planned, i.e., a cafe and restaurant along with creche facilities.
• Offering up to GBP40K, dependent on skills and experience.
• Working hours: 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday 09:00.
• Working 11:00 on a Sunday on a rota basis (approx. once every few months) paid at double time or time in lieu.
• Holiday: 20 days per annum, increasing by 1 day per year after the first year of employment to a maximum of 25 days per annum.

Main Purpose of the Role:

As Customs Clearance Team Leader, you will have responsibility for the successful operation of the Customs Clearance ETSF team, ensuring full compliance with all HMRC / Border Forces rules and regulations. Over time, you will be expected to develop the Customs Clearance ETSF area of the business to provide an outstanding level of service externally to customers and internally to all stakeholders. You will have a wide range of duties that deal with each step of the Import and Export process, including keeping track of shipments, Border Force or Trading Standards holds, and any Customs system issues.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Customs Clearance Team Leader:

• Leading a team of around 7 people.
• Manage carriers and handling agents to resolve exceptions and discrepancies as they arise.
• Ensure the operation is fully compliant with all HMRC & Border Force's legal regulations with the operation of an ETSF.
• Be proactive in resolving any HMRC/Border Force related queries/problems, e.g., CDS errors.
• Ensure full compliance of all documentation and all HMRC/Border Force updates, systems, or manuals.
• Warehouse & Duty management system interrogation.
• Complete quarterly internal audits on all areas of compliance, Import/Export entries, ETSF procedural audits, CFSP audits & AEO audits.
• Prepare reports on the performance of the department and suggest improvements that will enhance the company’s profit margins, as well as work closely with senior management as and when required.
• Ensure all relevant records for operating an ETSF are maintained and made available when requested by either HMRC/Border Force or senior management.
• Assist Head of Compliance & Security with new or re-authorisations and updates to existing authorisations.
• Compile and maintain documentation and manage information using Microsoft products and bespoke software systems. Complete all associated documentation and liaise with all parties concerned to ensure that time scales are met or exceeded.
• Complete CDS declarations and supplementary declarations on the Customs CDS system.
• Ability to plan and project manage large import/export projects and ad hoc events as they arise.
• Check departmental ISO 9001 procedures are kept up to date by the team.
• Ensure all customs entries are correctly processed in time using correct procedures and tariff codes.
• Ensure any Dangerous Goods are treated in the correct way for compliant customs clearance.
• Ensure all imports/exports are correctly declared, ensuring that nothing compromises our authorisations and permissions as an Authorised Economic Operator or Transit shed operator.
• Assist the ETSF Manager in compiling quarterly internal audits on all areas of compliance, Import/Export entries, ETSF procedural audits, CFSP audits & AEO audits.
• Monitor T1 & Customs referral cages and ensure that shipments are cleared in time.
• Follow work schedules and working instructions to ensure clearance, collection, and processing to final mile vendors is coordinated and delivery KPIs are met.
• Adhere to and follow all HMRC & Border Force's legal regulations to maintain compliance with the operation of an ETSF. Ensure security protocols are maintained at all times, including securing the doors to the warehouse and enforcing access control to prevent unauthorised access.

To Be Considered:

• Proven experience in working within a customs clearance controlled environment, ideally an ETSF or Import department with the ability to work with and support a team.
• Full understanding and knowledge of the Importation of goods into the UK and all customs systems and procedures, including the ability to carry out Import entries and knowledge of ETSF and CFSP.
• Knowledge of NCTS or CDS would be advantageous but not essential.
• All candidates will be subject to a 5-year work and/or education check. Any gaps in employment greater than 28 days will require an explanation/verification. In addition, a full clean security check is required for this role.

For more details, please contact Willis Global - a leading Recruitment Consultancy for the Supply Chain & Logistics industry.