Senior Manager Customs & Trade EUROPE (Lebbeke-Wieze, BE, 9280) chez Barry Callebaut

About the role

Based in Wieze, Belgium, the trilingual Senior Manager Customs & Trade Europe leads and integrates all customs and trade activities across Europe. This strategic role ensures regulatory compliance, drives operational excellence, and identifies opportunities for cost optimization and trade efficiency. The role partners with senior leadership to shape the customs and trade agenda and ensures alignment with Barry Callebaut’s global strategy.

All production plants and supply chain facilities in Europe are in scope.

Key responsibilities include

• Development and execution of the the ONE Europe Customs & Trade model
• To Define and implement best-in-class processes, standards, and systems on customs brokerage and trade to secure compliance, mitigate risks, and enable business continuity.
• To Lead strategic initiatives to drive duty savings, FTA optimization, and supply chain efficiency, in close partnership with sourcing, logistics, and finance.
• To Act as the primary liaison with customs authorities, trade regulators, and industry bodies; represent Barry Callebaut’s interests at a senior level.
• To Foster a culture of compliance, awareness, and continuous improvement; ensure governance through internal controls, audits, and risk assessments.
• To Translate global initiatives on classification, valuation, origin, and standards into Europe; drive deployment in collaboration with peers and Centers of Excellence.
• To Champion the use of technology to enhance customs and trade compliance and operational performance.

About you

• You bring +10 years of work experience in coordinating and managing customs operations within EUROPE
• You are bilingual Dutch and French, with excellent knowledge of English 
• You have In-depth knowledge within a multinational environment of import/export operations, EU and international customs regulations & trade laws, and trade compliance concepts with a good understanding of core trade principles such as product valuation, tariff classification
• You are proficient in analyzing trade data, identifying compliance gaps, and implementing corrective actions to ensure adherence to regulations.
• You have the ability to identify potential risks related to customs and trade activities, develop mitigation strategies, and implement business continuity plans.
• Capability to develop and execute customs and trade compliance strategies aligned with business goals and regulatory requirements.
• Experience in identifying opportunities to optimize trade operations, reduce costs, and improve efficiency through collaboration with procurement, logistics, and other departments.
• You bring experience in leveraging technology to enhance customs and trade compliance processes, including managing customs compliance software and systems, and leading initiatives for process automation and efficiency improvement.
• You have detailed understanding of supply chain logistics including ocean, air & truck, as well as knowledge and experience with production, warehousing, and distribution.
• Experience with performance management (internal processes and processes of partners)

Required

• is a bachelor degree or higher, preferably related to Customs & Trade (Business Administration, Law, Supply Chain, …)
• International Trade and Import/Export: Understanding of global trade practices, trade agreements, tariffs, and regulations for international logistics operations
• Relevant experience with international trade & customs management
• Sound knowledge of logistics operations,
• Relevant experience within international customer care execution
• Knowledge of MS Office Suite: Excel and Word, Google drive, google forms.
• Knowledge on ERP system: SAP

Essental is

• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and Google (Gmail, Drive, Calendar) tools
• Knowledge of EU import and export control laws and regulations
• knowledge/experience with Customs and Trade Compliance Software Solutions

This is a critical leadership role is central to Barry Callebaut’s customs and trade transformation, with a mandate to integrate and elevate customs and trade activities across Europe to deliver sustainable business value:

• You have proven ability to lead remote, diverse teams and drive cross-functional initiatives in complex, multi-country settings.
• You are a strong communicator with excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills at all levels (internal and external).
• You are a Strategic thinker and problem-solver, able to challenge the status quo and deliver results.
• High analytical and project management skills, with a structured, detail-oriented, and self-directed working style.
• You are adaptable, resilient, and focused on continuous improvement and education.

Travel requirements: max 20 %