Customs Manager
It doesn’t matter how well a logistics or supply chain operation is planned in terms of getting fully laden vehicles between factories, warehouses and fulfilment centres if the customs aren’t all in order. If you’re moving goods from one country to another, it can be the weak link in the process, adding days, hours or weeks to journeys, or in the worst case, revealing exports that should never have been attempted.
Enter the customs team, whose job it is to stress test all ongoing and future logistics activities for a company to ensure that both export and import are legally compliant as regards customs. And at the head of that team is the customs manager. Their job is to oversee the team, which might cover multiple jurisdictions, to keep all that freight flowing freely between parties. In smaller organisations, the customs manager might be a one-person team, tasked with operating over multiple territories or dealing with diverse classifications of goods.
The skills required
When looking for customs manager jobs, you should be an experienced and fully accredited specialist in the field of import and export, perhaps in a specific sector or between certain jurisdictions. Some jobs require you to have a hands-on role checking consignments yourself to ensure they are compliant in terms of quality, weight, size or count. You’ll be expert in the customs declaration procedure in your field, and will know how to optimise supply chain and logistics within the remit of customs procedures.
Communication of often complex laws and protocols will be essential, as you may often be asked to explain the scope of certain customs rules if a company is looking to make strategic decisions based on the trading laws between two nations. Experience in customs compliance, tax or duty applications will be essential.
Customs Manager Jobs in Luton
Situated in Bedfordshire, around 30 miles north of London, Luton is a thriving community that is home to a number of big businesses. It is also located in the London commuter belt, meaning those who live here have a wide choice of options when it comes to finding Customs Manager vacancies.
Since the 17th century, Luton has been known for its hat making industry, and this is a tradition that continues today, although it is now a more niche market.
Vauxhall Motors has been based in Luton since 1905 and its headquarters are still located here. Although the firm's passenger car production has been moved to Ellesmere Port in Cheshire, some commercial vehicles - mainly vans - are still produced at the IBC Vehicles plant.
Other companies based in Luton, or which have major facilities in the city, include AstraZeneca pharmaceuticals, Ernst & Young, Experian, Siemens AG and Whitbread, a hospitality chain.
Luton is also home to one of the main airports that services the London area. It sees around ten million passengers every year and is one of the UK's busiest airports. EasyJet, Ryanair, Thomson Airways and Monarch Airlines are all based here and the airport also processes cargo for Atlantic Airways, BA, DHL, MNG and Varig Logistica.
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Customs managers at Cast UK
The world is changing fast, and it’s vital for importing and exporting businesses to know exactly what is allowable, and how to get the most out of the regulations. That’s why high performance customs managers are regularly sought.
If you’re running an import/export operation and need a customs manager, call 0333 121 3345 today – Cast UK will be able to put you in touch with experts in your sector.
Candidates looking for this kind of work should register with us using the link below, even if you haven’t seen a specific role today. We’ll be able to match you up with global businesses looking for your skills.
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