The Director, Global Trade Operations Lead is responsible for setting and leading the global trade operations strategy to ensure compliant, efficient, and resilient cross‑border movement of products worldwide. This role provides enterprise leadership across customs, import/export operations, trade compliance execution, and governance, while enabling business growth and supply continuity. The position has a significant global impact, driving operational excellence, risk mitigation, and strong partnerships across Supply Chain, Finance, Legal, Quality, and Commercial teams.
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom.
Responsibilities
- Lead and execute the global trade operations strategy, ensuring compliance with customs, import/export, and trade regulations across all regions.
- Provide enterprise leadership for global trade operations, governance, and execution models.
- Oversee trade compliance operational processes, controls, and documentation to ensure audit readiness and regulatory adherence.
- Partner with Supply Chain, Logistics, Finance, Legal, Quality, and Commercial leaders to enable efficient and compliant product movement.
- Identify, assess, and mitigate global trade risks, including regulatory changes and geopolitical impacts.
- Lead and develop global trade operations teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Drive operational excellence initiatives to improve efficiency, data quality, and system enablement across trade processes.
- Serve as the senior point of contact for trade‑related audits, regulatory inquiries, and external engagements.
- Establish metrics, reporting, and governance forums to monitor performance and compliance outcomes.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, International Trade, Finance, or related field.
- Typically 10‑12 years of progressive experience in global trade operations, trade compliance, customs, or supply chain leadership.
- Deep knowledge of global customs, import/export regulations, and trade compliance frameworks.
- Demonstrated ability to design and implement governance models and operational controls.
- Strong leadership skills with experience building and developing high‑performing global teams.
- Excellent strategic, analytical, and problem‑solving capabilities.
- Strong executive communication skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
- Language: English proficiency required; additional languages preferred.
- Travel: Up to 25% international travel.
- Trade‑compliance, customs, or supply‑chain certifications preferred.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree, MBA, or advanced degree in a related discipline.
- Experience in the medical device, pharmaceutical, or other highly regulated industries.
- Experience leading global trade transformations or system implementations.
- Familiarity with global ERP, trade management, and compliance reporting systems.
- Experience managing regulatory audits and engagements with customs authorities.
- Demonstrated success driving continuous improvement and operational efficiency initiatives.
We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. All qualified applicants will receive equal employment opportunity.
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