Trade Compliance Manager (Customs)

Job description

Career Area: Supply Chain and Logistics Job Description: Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc. When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it. Job Title: Trade Compliance Manager Salary: Starting from £57,737 (depending on experience) Location : Shrewsbury Benefits: 25 days annual leave, Up to 12% Bonus Contributory pension scheme - Caterpillar will contribute up to 10% Contributory share scheme - Caterpillar will match 50% of the employee's contribution. Optional flexible benefits including access to health and dental care plans, EV car lease, holiday purchase. About Caterpillar Defense Caterpillar Defense at Shrewsbury is responsible for the design, development and integration of engine and drivetrain packages to meet the needs of tracked and wheeled military products globally. The facility also provides remanufacturing services for industrial military engines, components and transmissions. The Opportunity We're looking for a proactive and business-oriented Trade Compliance Manager to lead and execute our UK trade compliance programme. In this high-impact role, you'll be the trusted expert on import/export regulations, customs compliance, sanctions, origin, and trade remedies, helping the business navigate an increasingly complex global trade landscape. In addition to providing subject matter expertise, you will lead and develop a small team of supply chain professionals, providing coaching, guidance, and day-to-day direction to ensure high performance, capability growth, and the effective delivery of compliance and operational objectives. Beyond ensuring compliance, you'll have the opportunity to influence facility leadership, optimise cross-border operations, and drive process improvements that support business growth. Collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders across the organisation and external partners, you'll play a key role in balancing regulatory requirements with commercial objectives, ensuring goods move efficiently, compliantly, and cost-effectively around the world. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys combining technical expertise with strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement in a truly collaborative environment What You Will Do: Manage day-to-day UK trade compliance activities, including import and export controls, customs declarations, customs valuation, origin and tariff classification processes. Manage a small team of Supply Chain professionals, ensuring day-to-day activities align to the business goals and strategy. Be the subject matter expert and point of contact for trade compliance matters. Provide guidance and support internally to ensure compliance with trade compliance requirements. Work with division compliance teams and enterprise trade advisors to provide support business initiatives impacted by international trade laws and regulations. Communicate with stakeholders including purchasing, business resources, supply chain, engineering, and logistics to ensure alignment and compliance. Oversee the accuracy and completeness of customs declarations submitted by customs brokers or agents. Continue to develop, implement, and maintain trade compliance procedures, work instructions, and internal controls. Lead internal transaction audits and reviews to identify opportunities for improvement. Monitor changes in UK and international trade regulations and assess their impact on the business. Drive continuous improvement and trade compliance awareness through identification of opportunities for development, training and coaching within the business. Partner with Procurement, Logistics, Business Resources, and Supply Chain teams to ensure trade compliance requirements are embedded in operational processes. Manage relationships with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and external advisors to ensure compliance with agreed procedures and service expectations. Support business projects involving new markets, new products, supply chain changes, or systems implementation. Prepare management reporting on key compliance metrics, risks, audit findings, and remediation actions. What You Have: International Trade: Knowledge of the markets, issues, regulations, practices and operations of international trade; ability to apply this knowledge appropriately in diverse situations. Level Extensive Experience: Expert knowledge of UK customs and trade compliance, ideally within a manufacturing, engineering or logistics environment. Detailed knowledge of UK import and export requirements, including customs valuation, tariff classification, origin and preference. Experience working with HMRC, customs brokers, freight forwarders, and internal business stakeholders. Experience developing and maintaining trade compliance procedures, controls, and audit processes. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience working with customs declaration system Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical customs requirements clearly to non-specialist stakeholders. Standard Operating Procedures : Knowledge of established standard operating procedures (SOP); ability to design, implement and evaluate standard operating procedures affecting daily and strategic business operations in order to increase operational efficiency. Level Extensive Experience: Experience developing and maintaining trade compliance procedures, controls, and audit processes. Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Understanding the necessity and value of accuracy; ability to complete tasks with high levels of precision. Level Extensive Experience: Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage complex compliance matters accurately. Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems. Level Extensive Experience: Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret legislation and apply requirements to practical business scenarios. Managing Multiple Priorities : Knowledge of effective self-management practices; ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time allocation. Level Extensive Experience: Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment. Problem Solving: Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations. Level Extensive Experience: Data Gathering and Reporting: Knowledge of tools, techniques and processes for gathering and reporting data; ability to practice them in a particular department or division of a company. Level Extensive Experience: Top candidates will demonstrate Understanding of UK and international sanctions, export controls, and restricted party screening requirements. Prior leadership/supervisory experience. Experience with QAD, SAP, and similar trade compliance systems. Knowledge of UK CDS requirements and customs declaration data elements. Experience with preferential origin reviews, supplier declarations, and free trade agreement compliance. Professional qualification or training in customs, international trade, logistics, or supply chain management. Additional information: Office Base: this role will be based at the Shrewsbury facility office 5 days per week. About Caterpillar Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For over 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed. This position requires working onsite five days a week. Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. Posting Dates: July 22, 2026 - August 5, 2026 Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community .