Customs Compliance Manager
Wherever there are imports and exports, there are two or more jurisdictions with potentially very different legal frameworks. And there are also free trade zones where customs play a minor part, as long as there are other rules in place regarding sourcing, manufacture, materials and so on. Of course, if you’re a customs compliance manager, you’ll be well aware of all this layperson’s stuff – and you’ll know all about the hurdles and paperwork required to get products across international borders.
Customs compliance manager jobs require people with a good understanding of the legal aspects of imports and exports in logistics, who will be able to apply that knowledge to a busy freight operation. They’ll be working alongside cargo managers and other logistics team members to ensure the path from country to country is as smooth as possible. Rejection of cargo at a far-flung port is not an option.
The skills required
Much of the work of the customs compliance manager is done using specialist software, so you’ll be expert in the various solutions, or one particular brand for some positions. You’ll need to know exactly where to look to find specific, accurate, up-to-date rules for the import and export of certain products, and may need to study the regulations from entirely new jurisdictions if the employer is expanding.
The role will also require you to keep on top of the state of the law in the destination and originating nations, including potential law changes and political shifts that could have a strategic impact on your business. A legal background can therefore be useful.
Customs Compliance Manager Jobs in Widnes
At the north-eastern edge of Cheshire lies Widnes, a town of around 60,000 population built on heavy industry, particularly chemicals, where ICI had a huge presence for decades before fragmenting in the 1990s. The chemical industry chose Widnes partly for the plentiful supply of water, just like Runcorn, to which it is joined by a railway and road bridge over the Mersey.
The centre of Liverpool is 11 miles (17 km) to the west, with Liverpool John Lennon Airport just 4 miles (7km) form the centre of Widnes. Although not actually in Widnes, the Jaguar Land rover car production plant is just outside the town in Halewood, and it has been a large employer of people from Widnes. For decades the plant was owned by Ford, and the locals still cal the main boulevard that passes it “The Ford Road”. Under the new management, the factory is doing extremely well, helped by a local enthusiastic workforce.
Widnes has two musical claims to fame, one certain, one apocryphal. First was the Stone Roses’ Spike Island gig, the pinnacle of the Madchester scene in 1990. The second claim is that Paul Simon wrote “Homeward Bound” at Widnes Station, although Simon isn’t 100% sure himself!
Widnes has retained many of its industrial plants, although they are no longer owned by the giant ICI, and have been taken over by a multitude of companies. The well-connected town is handy for Liverpool, Warrington, St Helens and Runcorn, and has the M62 at its northern point. All this makes it a good place to locate any logistics operations, and indeed, Customs Compliance Manager jobs or similar positions have been through our system in Widnes.
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Customs compliance manager positions
Nobody needs to remind a UK citizen that rules surrounding customs and trade can change on a whim, and that the implementation can be fuzzy and unpredictable. But the same can apply between any two trading nations. That’s why customs compliance managers are in demand more than ever before.
If you’ve got the know-how and the experience to make sure a supply chain operation gets its products through international ports with the minimum of delay, your skills are needed right now. Please follow the link below to register as a candidate.
Companies looking to fill these compliance roles are finding highly qualified talent through Cast UK. If you want the best candidates, give us a call on 0333 121 3345, because we can find them for you, wherever you are located.
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