Job Summary:
The Head of Customs & Trade Compliance is a senior leadership role responsible for setting and delivering the customs strategy, governance, and operational execution across the UK, Ireland, and EU. The role holds accountability for ensuring full compliance with customs legislation and regulatory requirements while enabling efficient, costeffective, and customerfocused crossborder movement of goods.
Operating at both strategic and operational levels, the role provides leadership across customs operations, declarations, clearance processes, and regulatory engagement. It plays a critical role in supporting business growth, mitigating regulatory risk, and driving automation and continuous improvement across customs and trade activities.
Key Responsibilities:
Customs Strategy & Governance
Define and own the Group customs and trade compliance strategy across UK, Ireland, and EU jurisdictions.
Ensure consistent application of customs policies, procedures, and controls across all operations.
Provide subjectmatter expertise on customs and trade matters to senior leadership and the wider business.
Regulatory Compliance
Ensure full compliance with all applicable customs legislation and regulatory requirements, including HMRC, Irish Revenue, and EU customs authorities.
Maintain oversight of evolving legislation and regulatory frameworks, including ICS2 and other EU customs initiatives.
Act as the primary point of engagement with customs authorities, regulators, and external advisors.
Declarations & Clearance Operations
Oversee customs declaration and clearance activities, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance across import and export movements.
Ensure appropriate controls are in place to manage risk, prevent errors, and minimise delays or penalties.
Provide operational oversight and escalation support for complex or highrisk customs matters.
Process Improvement & Automation
Drive automation, digitisation, and continuous improvement across customs processes to improve clearance speed, efficiency, and data quality.
Identify opportunities to reduce cost, complexity, and manual intervention while maintaining compliance.
Support the implementation and optimisation of customs systems and technology solutions.
Leadership & Team Management
Lead, develop, and manage the customs and trade compliance team, ensuring clear accountability, capability development, and succession planning.
Establish performance standards, KPIs, and governance routines to support consistent delivery.
Stakeholder & Business Engagement
Work closely with Operations, Transport, IT, Finance, Commercial, and Supply Chain teams to ensure customs requirements are embedded into endtoend processes.
Support customerfacing teams by enabling compliant, efficient customs solutions that enhance customer experience.
Provide guidance and assurance to senior stakeholders on customs risk, compliance status, and operational readiness.
Leadership Impact
Improve customs efficiency, reducing clearance times, operational cost, and regulatory risk.
Enable scalable growth by ensuring customs capability supports new routes, customers, and business models.
Enhance customer experience through reliable, compliant, and predictable crossborder movements.
Strengthen governance, audit readiness, and regulatory confidence across all jurisdictions.
Requirements:
Technical & Regulatory Expertise
Minimum of 5+ years' experience in customs, trade compliance, or international logistics.
Strong working knowledge of UK, Irish, and EU customs legislation and regulatory frameworks.
Demonstrated experience managing customs declarations, clearance processes, and compliance controls.
Knowledge of EU initiatives such as ICS2 and evolving customs digitalisation programmes.
Leadership & Stakeholder Management
Proven experience leading and developing specialist teams within a regulated environment.
Strong stakeholder management capability, including engagement with regulators, authorities, and senior internal leaders.
Ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels, translating regulation into practical execution.
Ways of Working
Strong analytical and problemsolving capability with a riskbased approach to decisionmaking.
Continuous improvement mindset with experience driving process optimisation and automation.
Clear, confident communicator able to influence across functions and geographies.
Who We Are
Primeline Express are the largest independent Irish provider of express road freight between Ireland and the UK by developing an intricate understanding of the market. As a subsidiary of Primeline Group, our experienced team of experts has spent 29 years evolving and delivering tailored strategic solutions for our clients. Our extensive network allows us to provide the most comprehensive selection of flexible services across Ireland and the UK. Using a combination of best-practice, cutting-edge technology and unique insights garnered from 29 years at the top of our profession, we can manage requirements and maximise budgets within our UK-Ireland-UK Express Service, Scottish Express Service and European Import/Export Service.
WHERE WE ARE GOING
We are committed to driving continued growth and shaping the future of distribution at Primeline Express. By maintaining close partnerships with all our customers, we deliver unparalleled personalised service and expertise. Our dedicated team of account managers and logistics experts, along with our regular business reviews and continuous cost improvement reporting, ensures that we remain a trusted distribution partner across the FMCG, Retail, Pharma, Media, Automotive, Print, and IT sectors in both the UK and Ireland. As we look ahead, we are focused on innovating and enhancing our processes to meet the evolving needs of our clients, ensuring sustainable growth and success for all.
WHAT DO WE WANT?
In line with Primeline Group, our core values of respect, teamwork, results, excellence, and courage guide everything we do. We seek individuals who demonstrate empathy and appreciation for diverse perspectives, collaborate effectively with others, and are motivated by achieving outstanding results. You should be committed to continuous improvement, maintain high standards, and have the courage to take initiative and drive innovation. If you resonate with these values and are ready to contribute to a positive and dynamic work environment where everyone can thrive and succeed, we would love to hear from you.
