Customs & Trade Compliance Manager

About the Company

Our client is a leading global aerospace and aviation group with a significant presence in India and a large international supply chain. The organisation operates across commercial aviation, defence, aerospace and related engineering businesses, with extensive cross-border movement of aircraft components, parts, equipment and technology.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Operating with a high degree of autonomy and a strong PMO / programme-management mindset, the role will be responsible for:
• Broker Governance & Compliance: Lead the governance, performance management and periodic audits of appointed customs brokers, ensuring adherence to SLAs and accuracy across classification, valuation and country-of-origin declarations.
• Duty Optimisation: Drive the application and governance of concessional duty regimes and applicable customs schemes, ensuring maximum legitimate duty benefits while maintaining robust end-use and regulatory compliance.
• Customs Valuation: Manage special valuation and related customs proceedings in close coordination with Finance, ensuring intercompany pricing arrangements are aligned with applicable customs requirements.
• Trade & Regulatory Compliance: Oversee compliance with export-control regulations, dual-use requirements, non-tariff restrictions and import/export authorisations, ensuring seamless adherence to the regulatory framework.
• Regulatory & Government Interface: Act as a key point of contact with Customs, trade authorities and other relevant regulatory bodies, managing assessments, queries, audits and regulatory matters.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with global trade teams, Logistics, Procurement, Finance and Operations to align master data, strengthen controls and streamline end-to-end international supply-chain processes.
• Process & Governance: Identify opportunities to strengthen customs processes, improve operational efficiency, mitigate regulatory risks and drive continuous improvement across the organisation.

Skills and qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in Business Law, International Trade, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or a related discipline.
• Experience: 12+ years of relevant experience in customs compliance, customs auditing, and customs broker governance, preferably within the Aerospace, Defense, Automotive, or manufacturing sectors.
• Customs & Trade Expertise: Strong knowledge of Indian Customs regulations (CBIC), Foreign Trade Policy (DGFT), and duty-concession / exemption schemes applicable to manufacturing operations.
• Project Management: Proven PMO / project management capabilities, with experience in designing, implementing, and structuring customs and trade compliance frameworks within a manufacturing environment.
• SVB & Intercompany Trade: Hands-on familiarity with Special Valuation Branch (SVB) processes, related-party transactions, and intercompany trade mechanisms.
• Digital & ERP Skills: Proficiency in digital corporate tools and ERP systems, with the ability to leverage technology for compliance, reporting, and process governance.

What's On Offer

A strategic leadership role with ownership of customs compliance, trade governance, and broker management within a global manufacturing environment.