EMEA Transport & Trade Compliance Lead – Orthopedics

Position

EMEA Transport & Trade Compliance Lead – Lead role overseeing transportation and trade compliance functions across EMEA.

Locations

Leeds, United Kingdom; Cork, Ireland; Leiden, Netherlands.

Responsibilities

• Lead the EMEA transportation network across manufacturing sites, distribution centres, sterilisation facilities, suppliers and affiliate markets.
• Govern carrier, freight forwarder, control tower and transportation provider performance through KPI management, cost optimisation and service reviews.
• Support transportation strategy for network changes, acquisitions, divestitures, legal entity transitions and product launches.
• Develop transportation risk mitigation plans to support supply continuity and customer service.
• Lead transportation continuous improvement initiatives focused on service, cost, compliance and sustainability.
• Partner with Supply Chain teams to optimise transportation modes, inventory strategies and distribution networks.
• Ensure transportation processes align with GDP, quality and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor transportation spend and identify opportunities for productivity and cost savings.
• Support transportation readiness activities associated with new legal entities, distribution centres and operating model changes.
• Serve as the EMEA Trade Compliance Lead responsible for governance and oversight of customs and international trade activities across all operating countries.
• Develop and maintain the regional trade compliance framework, policies, procedures and internal controls to ensure compliance with applicable customs and trade regulations.
• Provide strategic leadership on customs valuation, tariff classification, country of origin, import/export requirements, sanctions screening and restricted party compliance.
• Lead AEO, Trusted Trader and customs authorisation programmes across the region.
• Ensure governance and oversight of Special Procedures including Inward Processing, Outward Processing, Customs Warehousing, Transit and Duty Relief programmes.
• Partner with Tax, Finance and Legal teams to ensure alignment of customs and VAT requirements supporting import and export activities.
• Oversee customs broker governance including broker onboarding, performance management, instructions, compliance reviews and process standardisation.
• Lead trade compliance readiness activities supporting legal entity changes, acquisitions, divestitures and organisational transformations.
• Drive trade automation, process harmonisation and standardisation initiatives across EMEA.
• Establish regional compliance monitoring programmes, KPI reporting and audit readiness processes.
• Lead customs audits, internal assessments, investigations and corrective action plans.
• Monitor regulatory developments and assess operational impacts across the EMEA region.
• Support business continuity by identifying and mitigating customs and cross-border trade risks.
• Act as the primary escalation point for complex customs, import/export and regulatory issues.
• Partner with government authorities, customs administrations, industry associations and external advisors where required.
• Provide strategic guidance to Supply Chain, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, Procurement and Commercial teams on trade compliance implications.
• Lead post‑separation trade compliance operating model development and governance activities.
• Support implementation of new customs registrations, EORI structures, importer/exporter frameworks and duty management processes.
• Develop training programmes to improve trade compliance awareness and accountability across EMEA operations.
• Represent Transportation and Trade Compliance within EMEA Supply Chain leadership forums.
• Partner with Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, Tax, Legal, Procurement and Finance teams to ensure compliant product flow.
• Lead cross‑functional initiatives supporting business growth, network optimisation and operational excellence.
• Drive governance reviews and provide executive‑level reporting on transportation and trade compliance performance.
• Build and develop a high‑performing regional Transportation and Trade Compliance organisation.

Essential Requirements

• Strong knowledge of EU Customs legislation, UK customs requirements and EMEA import/export regulations.
• Experience managing customs brokers and transportation providers across multiple countries.
• Knowledge of Special Procedures, customs audits and customs authorisations.
• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, divestitures or legal entity transformations.
• Demonstrated success leading regional trade compliance governance programmes within a highly regulated environment.

Key Objectives & Metrics

• Zero critical customs compliance findings.
• Successful customs audit outcomes.
• Duty savings and duty avoidance initiatives.
• Customs clearance performance and reduction of border delays.
• Transportation cost productivity delivery.
• Transportation service reliability.
• Carrier and broker performance management.
• Trade compliance training completion and control effectiveness.
• Successful execution of supply chain transformation and legal entity readiness initiatives.
• Understanding of AI concepts and frameworks, including responsible and ethical AI practices, and experience generating effective prompts to boost efficiency and productivity.

Required & Preferred Skills

• Accountability.
• Coaching.
• Communication.
• Data Analysis.
• Digital Supply Chain Management.
• Distribution Management.
• Mental Agility.
• Order Management.
• Organizing.
• Problem Solving.
• Safety‑Oriented.
• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
• Strategic Supply Chain Management.
• Sustainable Distribution.
• Transportation Management.
• Transportation Management Systems (TMS).
• Transport Networks.

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