Customs director
Since our founding, IDEMIA has been on a mission to unlock the world and make it safer through our cutting-edge identity technologies. Our technology leadership makes us the partner of choice for hundreds of governments and thousands of enterprises in over 180 countries, including some of the biggest and most influential brands in the world. In applying our unique expertise in biometrics and cryptography, we enable our clients to unlock simpler and safer ways to pay, connect, access, identify, travel and protect public places – at scale and in total security.
Our teams work from 5 continents and speak 100+ different languages. We strongly believe that our diversity is a key driver of innovation and performance.
Purpose
Reporting to the Export Control & Trade Sanctions Officer, we seek a seasoned Customs Director. This role ensures seamless cross-border operations, manage risks, and optimize customs strategies.
Key Missions
Strategic Leadership
· Develop and implement a comprehensive customs strategy aligned with the company's global supply chain and trade compliance objectives.
· Lead the organization's customs operations across all regions, ensuring efficiency and compliance with international, regional, and local regulations.
· Drive continuous improvement initiatives in customs processes to support business growth and cost optimization.
Regulatory Compliance
· Ensure compliance with customs laws, trade agreements, and sanctions in all operating countries.
· Maintain updated knowledge of global trade policies, tariffs, and customs-related legislative changes, advising senior management on implications.
· Act as the main point of contact for customs authorities and other regulatory bodies.
Risk Management
· Identify and mitigate risks related to customs operations, including tariff exposure, sanctions violations, and supply chain disruptions.
· Develop robust internal controls and audit mechanisms to prevent non-compliance and penalties.
· Handle investigations or audits conducted by customs authorities, ensuring the company’s interests are protected.
Operational Excellence
· Oversee the preparation and submission of all customs declarations and documentation.
· Collaborate with internal teams (e.g., supply chain, logistics, legal) to ensure accurate classification of goods and optimization of duty rates.
· Manage a team of customs professionals, providing training, mentorship, and support to foster expertise and performance.
Financial Oversight
· Monitor and optimize the company’s customs-related expenditures, including duties, tariffs, and brokerage fees.
· Develop strategies to minimize costs while maintaining compliance, such as leveraging free trade agreements and preferential trade programs.
· Track and report on customs-related KPIs, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Profile & Other Information
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in international Trade, Logistics, Law, Business Administration, or related field.
- Advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., Licensed Customs Broker, CCLS, or similar) preferred.
Experience
- At least 10 years of experience in customs management, international trade, or supply chain roles, with a proven track record in multinational organizations.
- Strong understanding of global trade regulations, customs valuation, HS classification, and trade agreements.
Experience managing customs operations across multiple countries
By choosing to work at IDEMIA, you will join a unique tech company, offering a wide range of growth opportunities. You will contribute to a safer world, collaborating with an international and global community. We value the diversity of our teams and welcome people from all walks of life, regardless of how they look, where they come from, who they love, or what they think.
We deliver cutting edge, future proof innovation that reach the highest technological standards and we’re transforming, fast, to stay a leader in a world that’s changing fast, too.
At IDEMIA, people can develop their expertise and feel a sense of ownership and empowerment, in a global environment, as part of a company with the ambition and the ability to change the world.
Visit our website to know more about the leader in Identity Technologies