Customs Lead (Nationals Only)

SITUATION IN ORGANIZATION

N + 2 Posifion : Contracts & Procurement Manager

N + 1 Posifion : Head of Freight Forwarding

CONTEXT AND ENVIRONMENT

This job requires very close contact with Partners’ Entities and external agencies like customs, clearing agents/Freight Forwarders, banks, Pre-shipment inspection agents, local Clearing/Forwarding agents and delegation buyers. The job holder needs to be able to reconcile divergences between Freight Forwarding practices and official rules of public servants and operate following the rulings and supervision of various local Government agencies.

Key Accountabilities

• Ensuring compliance with all customs regulations, managing relationships with customs authorities, and keeping the company updated on any policy changes that may impact operations.
• This role involves developing strategies for customs compliance, resolving regulatory issues, and optimizing customs processes to ensure efficiency.
• To correctly operate under frequently changing possibly changing local laws, shipping/customs regulations, and policies
• To continuously strive to improve the function, timing and customs clearing services and procedures.
• To Identify and monitor each expediting step while informing the Partners’ Entities/ Logistics until final delivery.
• To ensure that third party contractors and services providers add value to operations.
• To ensure that Freight Forwarding activities are conducted in compliance with company policies, objectives and safety and environmental procedures, while optimizing costs and lead times

ACTIVITIES

The Job holder liaises with Partners’ Entities/third parties and participates to the communication and organization of the Freight Forwarding entity by performing the following activities:

• Liaise effectively with government agencies (e.g. Customs, MOI , QCD and other government entities) in the effort to secure relevant permits, approvals, and shipping documentation for the Freight Forwarding function.
• Build and manage relationships with all relevant authorities, government authorities and establish a good working relationship.
• Direct and guide foreign third parties concerning local laws, practices, and government regulatory bodies.
• Be the focal point of all import and export activities.
• Organize and preside pre-cargo discharge and duet/operations meetings with Technical Logistics and the Clearing Agents
• Coordinate with other departments to ensure seamless integration of Freight Forwarding activities with overall company operations
• Liaise with air/land/port and with technical logistics on all operational matters when necessary and
• Liaise with Partners’ Entities and reception/ warehouse personnel to ensure prompt delivery of goods.
• Liaise with relevant local and foreign authorities for the provision of stacking spaces prior to the arrival of transports.
• Participate in shipping contracts, procedures, and policy formulation.
• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions
• Conduct regular training sessions for team members to enhance their skills and knowledge
• Maintain companywide an accessible Freight Forwarding database,
• Prepare weekly and monthly shipping activity reports to be submitted to the Freight Forwarding Team Leader

The Job holder ensures the proper execution of Freight Forwarding processes by performing the following activities:

• Track changes in customs laws and policies, interpret their impact, and implement necessary adjustments in company procedures.
• Ensure an efficient container tracking system with all parties.
• Participate in Air/Land/Sea freighting and customs clearing operations.
• Ensure that all materials arrived are properly demarcated for easy accessibility by customs during clearing processes.
• Ensure that all customs clearing transactions are properly documented for easy accessibility during material and personal effects shipping.
• Maintain record keeping filing systems and proper delineation and protection of all goods under Customs clearance.
• Ensure that all materials cleared by the Customs are promptly delivered to the reception/warehouse without delay.
• Follow-up with clearing agents from the arrival up to the Delivery and confirmation of arrival of consignments
• Arrange, direct and supervise Local transportation of materials across company locations and assist Technical Logistics to ensure that guidelines on the deliveries of Local Purchases of materials are enforced.
• Attend to Freight Forwarding alerts and notifications that may arise from Partners’ entities or Authorities.
• Ensure Final delivery of goods with Logistics and Partners’ Entities and clarify the responsibilities of each actor each actor.
• Address and resolve customs clearance delays or disputes.
• Identify and implement process improvements to expedite customs clearance and reduce costs

The Job holder manages the Compliance:

• Ensure compliance of the Freight Forwarding processes with all internal Company rules (including NOC Code of conduct) and all applicable laws and regulation (JV rules, Country laws...)
• Ensure that all safety requirements such as certifications, identifications, etc. are fully complied as per company requirements and local government regulations.
• Ensure the good administration and filing of all the Freight Forwarding documents in line with the applicable procedures.
• Identify potential compliance risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Streamline customs-related processes to enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness. 

The Job holder adheres to the H3SE rules:

• Be in constant alignment with H3SE Company rules, Procedures, Instructions, and applicable legislation.
• Take the necessary measures to avert immediate threat of danger.
• Exercising caution as necessary to avoid danger to persons and installations or avoid pollution.

Competencies

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in relevant fields
• Professional experience: > 8 years experience in international trade/shipping 

C&P competencies

• High level of knowledge in customs laws/process
• Strong government relation with customs and other government entities 
• Intermediate level in Freight Forwarding technical Competencies required
• C&P tools certification required