About the Job



About the Role

Our client, a leading international organisation with a complex global supply chain, is seeking an experienced Global Head of Customs, Export Control & Trade Compliance to lead its worldwide trade compliance framework.
This senior position sits at the centre of the organisation's global operations, providing strategic direction across customs compliance, export controls and sanctions management. The role works closely with regional compliance leaders, operational sites, supply chain functions, procurement, logistics, tax, IT and commercial stakeholders to ensure consistent governance and regulatory adherence across multiple jurisdictions.
Key focus areas include global policy development, compliance transformation, process optimisation, systems ownership, and the standardisation and automation of international trade compliance activities.


Responsibilities

• Take global ownership of customs compliance, export controls and sanctions compliance programmes
• Provide leadership and functional oversight to regional compliance teams and site-level stakeholders
• Develop, implement and maintain global policies, procedures, standards and governance frameworks
• Ensure consistent application of trade compliance requirements across international operations
• Oversee sanctions screening, export control processes and customs compliance activities
• Lead risk assessment and control framework development to support regulatory compliance
• Drive global trade compliance transformation, digitalisation and automation initiatives
• Own and enhance trade compliance technology platforms, including SAP GTS environments
• Partner with supply chain, logistics, procurement, sales, tax, production and IT teams to improve compliance effectiveness
• Identify opportunities to improve business processes, data quality and operational efficiency
• Manage relationships with regulatory authorities, external advisers and industry bodies
• Deliver training, guidance and subject matter expertise to internal stakeholders worldwide

About You

• Extensive experience within international customs, export control or global trade compliance functions
• Strong technical knowledge of customs regulations, export controls and sanctions compliance requirements
• Proven experience working within a multinational manufacturing, industrial or complex global business environment
• Demonstrable leadership experience across international teams, regional functions and decentralised operations
• Expertise in developing and implementing global compliance policies, standards and control frameworks
• Hands-on experience leading large-scale transformation, process improvement and automation programmes
• Strong knowledge of SAP GTS, particularly customs management, export control and sanctions screening functionality
• Experience designing and optimising end-to-end trade compliance processes
• Strong understanding of the interaction between customs compliance and broader supply chain operations
• Ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders across multiple business functions and geographies
• Commercially aware with strong analytical and risk management capabilities
• Fluent German and English language skills

Who This Role Would Suit

This opportunity would particularly suit professionals currently working within Customs Compliance, Global Trade Compliance, Export Controls, International Trade Governance, Trade Compliance Technology, SAP GTS, or Regulatory Compliance leadership roles who are seeking broader global ownership, strategic influence and responsibility for international trade compliance programmes within a complex multinational organisation.