Customs Clearance Manager
About the job
Morgan McKinley is delighted to partner with a leading logistics and supply chain organisation in North Dublin to recruit an experienced Customs Clearance Manager.
This is an excellent opportunity for a customs and freight professional to join a fast-paced, high-volume operation managing a centralised customs function responsible for processing in excess of 100,000 customs declarations annually.
The successful candidate will lead and support a large customs team while ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and continuous process improvement across Irish and UK operations.
The Role
Reporting into senior management, the Customs Clearance Manager will oversee the day-to-day management of customs operations, ensuring all customs declarations and associated activities are completed accurately, efficiently, and in full compliance with Revenue, HMRC, and EU customs regulations.
You will act as a key escalation point for customs-related matters, working closely with internal operational teams, customs authorities, and external customers while driving best practice and team performance.
Standard working hours are Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm, with flexibility required in line with operational business needs.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, mentor, and support a high-performing customs clearance team through team leads and supervisors
- Ensure customs compliance procedures and controls are implemented and consistently adhered to across the business
- Provide expert guidance and resolution support on customs-related queries and escalations
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with Revenue, HMRC, Transit Offices, and EU customs authorities
- Identify operational risks, delays, and compliance gaps, implementing corrective actions where required
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across customs operations and brokerage activities
- Analyse and present KPI data to identify trends, efficiencies, and improvement opportunities
- Collaborate with operational teams across Ireland and the UK to improve processes and workflows
- Support brokerage growth through the development of robust operational procedures
- Assist with systems testing, implementation projects, and user training initiatives
- Ensure ongoing compliance with all customs legislation, AEO standards, and regulatory requirements
- Support customers with import/export requirements and attend customer review meetings as required
- Provide leadership support to the Brokerage & Compliance Manager when necessary
Team Management Responsibilities
- Manage team performance, productivity, and service delivery standards
- Coordinate team rosters, annual leave, and absence management
- Identify training needs and ensure all training documentation is maintained appropriately
- Conduct probation reviews, performance appraisals, and KPI reviews in line with company standards
- Support recruitment, onboarding, and integration of new team members
- Work closely with HR regarding staffing requirements and employee development
- Partner with internal BI and systems teams to streamline reporting and operational processes
Candidate Requirements
- Minimum 3 years' experience managing teams within a customs, freight forwarding, or logistics environment
- Strong knowledge of customs clearance procedures, systems, and regulatory requirements
- Excellent understanding of import/export compliance, HMRC, and Revenue processes
- Proven leadership and people management capabilities
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive approach
- Experience working within fast-paced operational environments with strict deadlines
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Strong organisational skills and exceptional attention to detail
- Collaborative and solutions-focused mindset
- Understanding of supply chain and freight forwarding operations is essential
