Customs Associate Manager

Operational leadership, manage the daily workflow of the EC&E team, ensuring customs compliance and accurate documentation across our existing lanes (UK, NI, ROI, ES, FR, NL, PL) for finished goods, and for Raws and Packaging in the near future. Managing our customs vendor spend (€ 5 million per year) and ensuring our import tax, duties and VAT are applied correctly (€ 160 million per year). Mentorship and development, provide day-to-day coaching to our customs analysts, helping them troubleshoot complex matters and supporting the teams' growth. Escalation management, serve as the primary point of contact for resolving high-priority logistics bottlenecks, or complex customs disputes with internal or external partners. Enforce adherence to SOP's and compliance standards. You will be responsible for auditing documentation and identifying potential risks before they impact the business. Monitor KPI's (clearance lead times, broker performance, extra costs, etc.) and drive corrective actions when service levels fall below targets. Cross-functional bridge, aligning with internal stakeholders to resolve operational friction. Act as systems expert for OTM/GTM/SAP issues, supporting the team in managing master data and resolving technical system blockers. Please kindly note that you need to have an EU Working Permit (Orientation Year Visa not included) in order to apply for this position. Master's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, or equivalent experience. 5+ years of hands-on experience in shipping, transportation, or warehouse/logistics operations; CPG or food industry strongly preferred. A solid grasp of European trade dynamics, and familiarity with customs. Familiarity with customs regimes (transits, warehousing, Inward Processing, import/export documentation) is a plus Advanced Proficiency with ERP/TMS/WMS systems (SAP preferred), EDI transactions, carrier portals, and appointment scheduling tools. Excellent knowledge of export/import processes, Incoterms, and shipping documentation. Advanced Excel skills; experience with analytics/reporting tools such as Power BI or Tableau. Excellent communication skills, customer focus, and cross-functional collaboration; strong problem-solving and organizational abilities. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple priorities, and drive continuous improvement. Ability to Simplify - We like to keep it simple.