Customs Team Leader

Customs Team Leader Location: Manchester Salary: £DOE Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent Reed is delighted to be supporting a leading logistics and supply chain business in the search for an experienced Customs Team Leader. This is an excellent opportunity for a customs professional looking to take the next step in their leadership career or an established team leader seeking a new challenge within a dynamic and growing organisation. The successful candidate will play a key role in leading a team of customs specialists, ensuring compliant and efficient customs processing while maintaining exceptional customer service standards. The Role As Customs Team Leader, you will oversee the day-to-day activities of a customs operations team handling import, export, and transit declarations. You will be responsible for driving team performance, ensuring compliance with customs regulations, and supporting the professional development of your team. Working closely with operational managers, customers, and internal departments, you will help deliver an efficient customs service while identifying opportunities to improve processes and service levels. Key Responsibilities • Lead, motivate, and support a team of customs professionals to achieve operational objectives • Oversee the accurate completion of customs declarations and associated documentation • Ensure all activities comply with current customs legislation and internal procedures • Monitor workload allocation and support effective resource planning to meet customer requirements • Act as the first point of escalation for operational and customs-related queries • Coach and develop team members through regular feedback, training, and performance management • Conduct quality reviews and identify opportunities to improve accuracy and productivity • Support the implementation of new processes, systems, and customer requirements • Build strong working relationships with customers and internal stakeholders • Assist management with operational reporting, performance tracking, and service reviews • Keep the team informed of regulatory updates and industry developments • Promote a positive, collaborative, and customer-focused working environment About You To be successful in this role, you will have: • Proven experience within a customs, freight forwarding, or international trade environment • Strong knowledge of UK customs regulations and import/export processes • Previous experience supervising, mentoring, or leading operational teams • Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities • Strong attention to detail and a commitment to compliance • Confident communication and stakeholder management skills • The ability to work effectively under pressure and meet strict deadlines Desirable Experience • Experience using customs declaration systems and port community platforms • Knowledge of transit procedures and other government agency requirements • Experience within freight, logistics, shipping, or supply chain operations • Exposure to KPI management and operational performance reporting What's on Offer • Competitive salary (£DOE) • Leadership development opportunities • Supportive and collaborative working culture • Career progression within a growing business • Comprehensive benefits package • Exposure to a fast-paced and evolving international trade environment How to Apply If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Adam Norris at Reed or apply now.