Customs and Trade Compliance Specialist

Location: Coventry
Hours: Full time
Salary: 45,000 plus car/car allowance, plus 33 days holiday (including bank holidays), pension, bonus, life assurance, employee assistance programme, wellbeing support, and flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme
About the Role
Unipart Manufacturing is launching a fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing project in Coventry, combining advanced electrification assembly with complex injection moulding inputs. We are seeking a technical Customs and Trade Compliance Specialist to manage day-to-day import/export operations, strategic export licensing, and HMRC special procedures. Reporting to the Senior Compliance Manager, you will serve as the operational subject matter expert for Inward Processing Relief (IPR), CDS clearances, and export controls to guarantee zero-delay supply chain throughput.

As part of your key responsibilities, you'll:

• Customs Operations and Auditing - Manage end-to-end import/export clearance processes via CDS, auditing declarations (>98% accuracy KPI) against commercial invoices, packing lists, and HS classification databases
• Special Procedures and IPR Governance - Act as operational lead for Inward Processing Relief (IPR) authorisations, maintaining meticulous stock records and submitting Bills of Discharge (BOD) to HMRC within statutory deadlines
• Export Controls and Licensing - Manage Strategic Export Licensing requirements (SIELs, OGELs) in full compliance with ECJU regulations, military/dual-use classifications, and end-user undertakings
• VAT Compliance and Audit Readiness - Ensure strict adherence to HMRC VAT Notice 703 by securing and validating official Proof of Export (PoE) documentation within zero-rating timeframes
• Culture and Continuous Improvement - Embed Unipart Way tools, standard work, and structured audit routines across all trade compliance, shipping, and logistics workflows

About You

We'd love you to have the following skills and experience, but please apply if you think you'd be able to perform well in this role!

• Trade Compliance Expertise - Practical experience in international trade, customs clearance, or trade compliance within a manufacturing or logistics environment
• Special Procedures Mastery - Deep operational knowledge of Inward Processing Relief (IPR) administration, BOD preparation, and HMRC VAT Notice 703 rules
• Systems and Portals - Hands-on experience operating CDS (Customs Declaration Service) and UK export licensing portals (SPIRE/LITE)
• Export Licensing Knowledge - Strong operational grasp of UK export controls, dual-use/military tariff classifications, SIELs, and OGELs

About Unipart
We are a supply chain performance improvement partner. We Design, Make, Move, and Improve components in our customers' supply chains, keeping their operations and assets moving and working better, for longer. Through our commitment to continuously driving operational efficiencies, we improve performance - saving time, cost, and carbon. Our ambition is to be the driving force behind efficient, resilient, and sustainable supply chains.
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion

We believe that a great workplace is one where you can bring your whole self to work. Our recruitment process is designed to be accessible, inclusive, and based entirely on merit. We define merit through a combination of technical skills and the core behaviours that help our people thrive at Unipart. We welcome applications from everyone, regardless of background or circumstances. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity that exceeds our statutory obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and subsequent legislation. Whether it's your age, disability, neurodiversity, gender identity, family status, or any other characteristic that makes you 'you' - it is your talent and potential that we value most. Adjustments for you: We want you to perform at your best. If you require any reasonable adjustments or have specific accessibility needs at any stage of the application or interview process, please let us know. We are here to support you.
You may have experience in the following: Customs Compliance Officer, Trade Compliance Manager, Import Export Coordinator, Customs Broker, Export Control Officer, International Trade Specialist, HMRC Compliance Officer, Logistics Compliance Specialist, Freight Forwarding Compliance, Supply Chain Compliance
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