Title:  Senior Customs&Trade Compliance Officer

Summary of Job

• Responsible for developing global customs related activities (e.g. CBU, CKD, production/service part, returnable packaging, non-production parts) with key focus on Japan but not limited to customs practices in other countries.
• Manage an implementation of customs related projects (e.g. FTA utilization, HS code classfification, import/export of returnable packages) to ensure that business units conduct their activities in line with local legislations, corporate regulations, processes and guidelines
• Serve as liaison between a company and related government agencies e.g. Japan Customs, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and communicate with internal/external functions for potential opportunities, risks and liabilities.

Role (purpose of the Job)

This position works to ensure that a company’s trade operations meet guidelines and adhere to import and export regulations and trade barriers.  This position will report to Director, Customs and Trade.  You will communicate with customs officials and related competent authorities to ensure that the company understand their obligations and advice for each transaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for developing global customs related activities (e.g. CBU, CKD, production/service part, returnable packaging, non-production parts) with key focus on Japan to the following activities

 - licensing requirements

 - HS classification

 - FTA utilization

 - customs incentives/privileges

 - export controls

 - sanctions and embargoes

This is to identify risks and prevent damages related to the customs laws of countries where the company operates.

• Manage and monitor an implementation of customs related projects to ensure that business units conduct their activities in line with local legislations, corporate regulations, processes and guidelines.
• Support customs post audit/investigation and enquiries from Japanese competent authorities.  Escalate customs incidents to Management and Customs and Trade team as necessary.
• Serve as a liaison between a company and customs authority and communicate with internal and external functions for identifying potential opportunities, risks and liabilities.
• Build strong relationships with Commercial, Finance, Legal, Transport Operation and customs brokers to manage trade compliance and tax risks.
• Monitor and update regulatory changes that could impact planning for customs related requirements in Japan and clearly communicate those changes to related stakeholders.  And represent UD Trucks in professional trade bodies and ensure that the business is updated on the latest regulations. 
• Assist the team to create written standard operating procedures, training materials and other presentations as well as conduct customs and trade trainings to internal functions.

Main competence requirements

• Degree in international trade, logistics, law or related areas with wide ranges of knowledge of customs related formalities and knowledge of customs regulations (e.g. customs valuation, HS classification, FTA utilization, tax incentives, export control and sanctions/embargoes).
• Minimum 5 years import/export-oriented role and trade compliance experience with customs broker, industry, consulting and automotive is preferable.
• Proven experience as a customs and trade compliance officer or logistics, import/export orientated role.
• Ability to analyze information/data thoroughly and accurately (including the use of Excel, Power BI, and other automation tools).
• Preferable experience in consulting and the automotive industry.
• Prior working experience with regional customs authorities in the APAC region is an added advantage.
• Analytical, dynamic and proactive working attitude are required.
• Good communicatiom, team and result oriented.
• High integrity, strong ethics and self-motivated.
• Ability to work in virtual teams/remote management.
• Excellent written and spoken English & local language.

Key interfaces

Internal

• UDT Tranport Operations
• UDT Packaging Operations
• UDT Logistics purchasing
• UDT Logistics Developer
• UDT Service Parts Operations and Logistics (SPOL)
• UDT International Sales (IS)
• UDT Group Companies/Overseas UD Plant and officers

External

• Japan Customs
• Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
• Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
• Material suppliers
• Packaging suppliers
• Logistics service providers
• Customers

Key performance indicators

• Duty saving initiative
• Riks identification and mitigation of customs and trade activities
• Continuous improvement of customs related activites/projects
• Completion of training programs and establishing SOPs to business units.