Customs Manager - Exports
Job ID: 5277 | Work Model: Full-Time | Contract Type: Permanent | Job Category: Customs clearance
Role: Export Customs Manager
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time
Location: Northampton
Why Join DACHSER?
At DACHSER, we’re a global family powering over 83 million shipments every year—from fashion to life-saving medical supplies. Ranked among the world’s top logistics providers, we don’t just move goods—we keep the world connected.
What really sets us apart? Our people. Here, your ideas matter, your energy fuels success, and you’ll be part of a fast-paced, supportive team that’s shaping the future of logistics.
Purpose Of the Role:
The Export Customs Manager leads and develops the central customs clearance team, promoting a people-focused, customer-centric culture while driving efficiency in a fast-paced environment. Working closely with internal and external stakeholders, the role ensures high-quality, compliant export clearance services—primarily for road movements—through effective process optimisation, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement. As part of the Customs leadership team, the Export Customs Manager supports the delivery of market-leading services by developing capable teams and ensuring operational deadlines and regulatory requirements are consistently met.
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage multiple export customs clearance teams in a fast-paced operational environment.
- Collaborate with the Shared Service Centre Manager, Customs to support the structure, development, and growth of the national customs function.
- Drive team performance through coaching, training, appraisal, and effective absence management.
- Optimise processes and resource utilisation to improve efficiency, control costs, and maintain service quality.
- Ensure full compliance with customs legislation, internal policies, standard operating procedures, and AEO requirements, promoting a strong risk mitigation culture.
- Support supervisors with escalations and ensure operational and service deadlines are consistently met.
- Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, external customers, and customs authorities including HMRC and associated agencies.
- Monitor and support the achievement of KPIs and operational performance targets across export teams.
- Support internal and external AEO audits as required.
- Promote Dachser values and maintain high standards of Health and Safety, BRC, and ISO 9001 compliance, ensuring a safe working environment for all employees.
The ideal candidate will have
- Proven people management and leadership experience.
- Experience in a customs-related role and/or transport and logistics background (desirable).
- Good understanding of customs procedures, formalities, and third-country regulations (desirable).
- Confident user of Microsoft Office and Datafreight, with working knowledge of the UK CDS system and other customs software (desirable).
- Strong awareness of global geography.
- Highly adaptable and able to perform effectively in pressurised environments.
- Self-motivated with the ability to take ownership and resolve issues efficiently.
- Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.
- High attention to detail with strong levels of accuracy.
- Excellent communication skills, able to adapt style and approach to different audiences.
- Strong relationship-building and influencing skills across all levels of the organisation.
- Customer-focused, with a passion for delivering high-quality service and a supportive, coaching leadership style.
Benefits That Support You
At DACHSER, we believe in taking care of our people — inside and outside of work. Here’s what you can enjoy as part of our team:
- Free Car Parking — hassle-free parking every day, so your commute is stress-free.
- 25 Days annual leave plus 8 days bank holiday – generous time off to rest, recharge and enjoy life outside of work.
- Life Assurance — Death in Service benefit to provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
- Employee Assistance Programme — confidential support to help you manage any personal challenges affecting your wellbeing and work.
- Employee Discounts — from day one, access exclusive deals on holidays, fashion, supermarkets, gyms, insurance, and more.
- Pension Plan — a flexible, tax-efficient pension scheme where you decide your contribution level, helping you plan.
- Health Perks — free eye tests and money-off vouchers to keep you feeling your best.
- Internal Referral Fees — know someone perfect for the team? Earn rewards by referring great talent.
- Long Service Awards — we celebrate and reward your loyalty and commitment over time.
Join Our Inclusive Family
At DACHSER, everyone is welcome. Diversity and equal opportunities are at the heart of who we are. We value the unique qualities each person brings, believing that diverse teams drive innovation and success. Because for us, logistics is a people business — and we can’t wait to meet you.