Customs Specialist UK
- Location: UK - Maidstone
- Job Family: Supply Chain
- Time Type: Full time
- Job Requisition ID: R0007679
- Experience Years: 3-5 Years of Experience
- Employee Type: Regular
- Remote Type: Onsite
About the Opportunity
The Customs Specialist will be responsible for ensuring compliance with UK customs regulations, managing import/export documentation, and liaising with key stakeholders to facilitate smooth logistics operations. This role requires strong knowledge of customs procedures, excellent relationship management skills, and the ability to optimize supply chain efficiency while maintaining regulatory compliance.Responsibilities
Customs Compliance and Documentation
- Ensure all shipping and customs documentation complies with UK regulations, including import/export requirements.
- Complete and submit duty entries, ensuring deadlines are met, particularly for Belfast.
- Administer and finalize export certificates while maintaining alignment with the Compliance team for accurate tracking and auditing.
- Supply SPV data to DEFRA, ensuring full compliance with government regulations.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of customs regulations and any potential changes that may impact operations.
- Provide advice to clearing agents and growers regarding restrictions, tariff systems, insurance requirements, and other customs-related matters.
Liaison and Relationship Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clearing agents, customs officials, shipping liners, and other suppliers.
- Work closely with internal teams, including operations, distribution, sales, and planning, to facilitate efficient delivery and supply chain execution.
Financial Administration and Cost Control
- Ensure that duty, tax, and logistics-related charges are accurate and up to date.
- Handle invoice charging queries and promptly resolve discrepancies.
- Record and track shipments, documentation, and payments to maintain financial accuracy.
Process Improvement and Strategy
- Drive continuous process improvements within customs and logistics operations to enhance efficiency and compliance.
- Maintain a proactive approach to customs procedures, anticipating potential challenges and proposing solutions.
- Foster a positive and proactive operational environment by encouraging efficiency-driven behaviours within the team.
Ad Hoc Duties
- Handle various ad hoc tasks related to import/export and supply chain as required.
- Stay informed about changes in customs regulations and ensure their implementation within the organization.
Candidate Profile
Education & training
- Bachelor’s degree as preference or strong experience in relevant fields: air and ocean logistics, Customs and Trade and DAX environment.
Experience
- 2 – 5 year of relevant experience in the Food / FMCG industry within Logistics and Trade department.
- Preferable working in an international dynamic environment
- Experience in similar role.
Skills & behaviours
- The candidate can manage the hectic days, follow-up the strategic scenarios which are set-up.
- Well organized, working on his / her own and able to keep an overview.
- Provides proactive feedback to manager on process changes/deviations & being able to explain complex situations.
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Proactive approach on process deviations and efficiency
- Proactive input on region meetings on order process topics
- Excellent communication skills; linking pin between teams to ensure delivering results.
- Excellent English language skills (verbal and written)
- Ability to work under pressure
Please note - Occasional weekend and evening shifts are part of the position.
About Driscolls
Driscoll's is the global market leader for fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. With more than 100 years of farming heritage and hundreds of independent growers around the world, Driscoll's is passionate about growing fresh, beautiful and delicious berries. Our values of humility, passion and trustworthiness have guided our mission to delight consumers around the world.
Driscoll's exclusive patented berry varieties are developed through years of research using only natural breeding methods – meaning, no GMOs. From farm-to-table, we focus on delivering a high quality, premium berry experience with our many supply chain partners.
Driscoll's is the trusted brand for Only the Finest Berries™.
Driscoll's es el proveedor líder en la comercialización de Fresas, Frambuesas, Zarzamoras y Arándanos Azules en el mundo. Con más de 100 años de herencia en agricultura y cientos de productores independiente alrededor del mundo, Driscoll's es una compañía apasionada por cultivar Berries frescas, hermosas y deliciosas. Nuestros valores de humildad, pasión y confianza han guiado nuestra misión de deleitar a los consumidores en el mundo.
Las variedades exclusivas de Driscoll's han sido desarrolladas a través de años de investigación usando sólo métodos de mejoramiento natural. De la granja a la mesa, nos enfocamos en ofrecer una experiencia de alta calidad con apoyo de nuestros socios de la cadena de suministro.
Driscoll's es la marca de confianza de sólo las mejores Berries.