Imports and Customs Compliance Manager

Caterpillar; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job description

Career Area:
Supply Chain and Logistics

Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.
When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do - but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here - we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

Job Title: Imports and Customs Compliance Manager

Salary: £47,615 - £52,000 (Dependent on experience)

Location: Birchwood

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave,
• Up to 10% Bonus
• Contributory pension scheme - Caterpillar will double the employee's contribution Up to 10%
• Contributory share scheme - Caterpillar will match 50% of the employee's contribution.
• Optional flexible benefits including access to health and dental care plans, EV car lease, holiday purchase.

About IPSD

Caterpillar's Industrial Power Systems Division (IPSD) designs, tests and manufactures 0.5 to 18L Cat and Perkins engines that power over 5000 applications including Marine, Petroleum, Industrial Applications, Electric Generators, and Locomotives. Caterpillar's company strategy includes sustainability as one of four focus areas and IPSD is engaged and actively preparing green energy solutions for the future.

Job Summary

An exciting opportunity to manage the Perkins Aftermarket Imports Team, which is responsible for the imports and customs compliance procedures for goods imported to the UK. This role is essential in ensuring that the importation of goods takes place compliantly, promptly and efficiently. This requires managing the Imports Team, to ensure timely and efficient clearance of goods delivered to the designated customs warehouse to ensure that customer orders are fulfilled on time/in full. Responsibility includes compiling and managing customs operational and compliance activities to ensure all regulatory requirements are adhered to.

Using expert knowledge of customs activities, the expectation of the manager is to assist the team in ensuring that the administration of planning, development implementation and operation of the systems and processes for the accurate payment of duties and taxes, in addition to the accurate operation of the customs warehousing authorization.

Additional Info:

• Limited travel required (Less than 5% of working time).
• This position is currently a hybrid in-office work model, requiring 3-day weekly office presence onsite at the Birchwood facility, with remote work for the remaining days. However, work arrangements may be adjusted at any time based on business needs.
• Flexibility around core working hours

What You Will Do:

• Oversight and management of customs warehousing authorization and Simplified Customs Declaration Procedures (SCDP) authorization in line with UK Customs legislation.
• Oversight and management of customs operational procedures, including timely submission of customs declarations and customs broker management and instructions.
• Continue to develop policies, desk procedures, processes, controls and audit plans in accordance with enterprise requirements, changing regulatory requirements, and business needs.
• Authorisation and management of Perkins deferment account and financial reporting.
• Act as Perkins Aftermarket subject matter expert and point of contact for customs compliance matters, including but not limited to, import customs valuation, customs special procedures, customs broker management, origin and tariff classification. Provide guidance and support internally to ensure compliance with customs requirements.
• Work with divisional and enterprise trade advisors to provide strategic advice and support for business initiatives. Communicate with stakeholders including Purchasing, Supply Chain, Engineering and Logistics to ensure alignment and compliance.
• Monitor customs regulatory changes and embed within Perkins as appropriate.
• Drive continuous improvement and customs compliance awareness through identification of opportunities for development, training and coaching within the business.
• Maintain the Imports Master Log so that accurate records are maintained for audit and customs compliance purposes.
• Contribute to Continuous Improvements by proactively reviewing processes to ensure that maximum efficiency and duty optimisation is maintained (LEAN)
• Liaises with suppliers (and customers) shipping lines & haulers in connection with the movement of goods.
• Process/finalise insurance claims as applicable under the Maritime Insurance Policy.
• Manages the team against suite of KPIs to ensure optimal efficiency/compliance - auditing the teams workload regularly to ensure compliance to processes

What You Have:

Imports: Knowledge of issues, procedures, tools and practices of importing and exporting; ability to import goods to and from international locations.
Level Extensive Experience:

• Strong understanding of customs regulations in the UK including customs special procedures, import processes and requirements, classification, valuation and origin requirements.
• Knowledge of managing a customs warehouse.

Cross-Team Integration: Understanding of the importance of inter-team collaboration in breaking down silos and achieving business results; ability to lead employees from various functions to communicate, coordinate work across divisions, and collaborate in solving problems as one team.
Level Working Knowledge:

Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.
Level Working Knowledge:

• Data Gathering & Analysis: Knowledge of data gathering and analysis tools, techniques, and processes; ability to collect and synthesize data from a variety of stakeholders and sources in an objective manner to reach a conclusion, goal, or judgment.
• Knowledge of analytics tools and software is a plus. Accuracy and attention to detail is of importance.
• Utilise data collection and evaluation tools and techniques. Planning: Tactical, Strategic: Knowledge of effective planning techniques and ability to contribute to operational (short term), tactical (1-2 years) and strategic (3-5 years) planning in support of the overall business plan.
• Problem solving; ability to assess a wide range of problems and identify effective solutions

Effective communication; Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, enabling clear advocacy of compliance to all stakeholders.

Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.

People management experience - examples of individual performance management, development planning and driving improvement of key business metrics through strong leadership

Top Candidates will:

• Experience of working with SAP and Ricardo systems, as well as working knowledge of Customs Declaration Service (CDS)
• Appropriate customs and trade compliance qualifications from recognized bodies in UK highly desired.

What You Will Get

The opportunity to work for a diverse, world-class business with a competitive salary and additional benefits and the opportunity to work flexibly. Opportunity to manage a team that is critical to the success of the Aftermarket Parts business and to work with a number of different departments across the business to drive cross functional working and decision making to drive profitable growth for the business.

About Caterpillar

Caterpillar Inc. is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, we've been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.

NB. The panel cannot make assumptions when shortlisting therefore please demonstrate your qualifications and experience on your CV relevant to the criteria outlined. Pending the number of applications, the criteria for the position may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting. #LI

Posting Dates:
April 3, 2025 - April 11, 2025

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO).

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