Customs and Trade Compliance Manager
Coventry
£50,000 to £55,000 (depending on experience) 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 Manager 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 adherence to export control measures, Transit Procedures, customs clearances, to guarantee zero-delay supply chain throughput.
As part of your key responsibilities you’ll focus on:
Customs Operations and Auditing - Manage end-to-end import/export clearance processes, auditing declarations (>98% accuracy KPI) against commercial invoices, packing lists, and HS classification databases
Special Procedures - Act as operational lead for Transit procedures including adherence to Approved Consignor Status, ensuring discharge of T1s in a timely manner and any associated guarantee limits
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
International Trade - manage any international trade requirements relating to EUDR and CBAM (UK and EU)
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 Customs Special Procedures and HMRC VAT Notice 703 rules
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, and 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.