Key Responsibilities
- Serve as the UK and European trade compliance expert and escalation point for complex regulatory matters.
- Lead trade compliance activities across the UK and Isle of Man, while providing functional oversight and support to operations in France and Germany.
- Develop, implement, and continuously improve trade compliance processes, controls, policies, and procedures across multiple sites.
- Partner with Legal, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to ensure compliance requirements are effectively integrated into business activities and decision-making.
- Ensure compliance with UK Export Control regulations, EU export control requirements, and US ITAR/EAR regulations.
- Manage export licensing activities, including OGEL, SIEL, F680, ITAR, and EAR authorisations, and support licensing requirements across European operations.
- Oversee export control classification of products, technology, and software, maintaining effective classification processes and records.
- Monitor and support the compliant movement of controlled goods, technology, and cross-border transfers.
- Provide expert guidance on sanctions, embargoes, and international trade restrictions.
- Lead customs compliance activities, including tariff classification, valuation, origin determination, and customs process optimisation.
- Identify and mitigate compliance risks, conduct investigations, support voluntary disclosures, and drive corrective actions where necessary.
- Manage internal compliance reviews, audits, and monitoring programmes, ensuring timely resolution of findings.
- Conduct third-party due diligence and screening activities.
- Oversee visitor and business travel approval processes in accordance with UK and US regulatory requirements.
- Deliver training, coaching, and ongoing support to operational and commercial teams on trade compliance matters.
- Manage and develop the Import/Export Administrator while providing operational support when required.
Requirements
- Extensive knowledge of international trade compliance, export controls, customs regulations, and relevant ISO standards.
- Proven experience in a Trade Compliance role within a medium-to-large Aerospace, Defence, or highly regulated manufacturing environment.
- Strong working knowledge of UK Export Controls, EU regulations, customs compliance, and US ITAR/EAR requirements.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, drive results, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Practical, hands-on approach with excellent analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
- Broad understanding of manufacturing, supply chain, quality, engineering, and operational business processes.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of an organisation.
- Experience delivering compliance training and awareness programmes is advantageous.
- Strong systems capability, including Microsoft Office, SharePoint, ERP systems, and compliance databases.