Senior Director Customs and Regulatory Affairs SSA at DHL

Role Context

1. Lead, develop and prioritise CRA initiatives that will improve the quality of service to DHL customers, inbound / outbound transit time and the overall cost position. Develop DHL Customs Clearance and Regulatory Capability as a clear differentiator and a Selling proposition. Ensure that DHL is recognized as a Trade Facilitator by Regulators and Customers. The CRA Director will also manage the GIA, ADC and Customs Surcharge Revenue programs and quality audit programs for customs clearance.
2. Contributing to trade facilitation and market liberalisation through regulatory engagement with relevant authorities, facilitating customs modernisation and trade compliance through collaborative partnerships with both Government and Trade Organisations such as the WTO and WCO.
3. Uphold, maintain and manage import/export customs compliance for SSA as including oversight of the DHL Express Denied Parties Program, Sanctions compliance and managing and implementing all export controls measures mandated by the DHL Global Convergence Board

Key Responsibilities

1. Formulate customs and trade compliance strategy in line with region’s business strategy and requirements, corporate guidelines, and policies
2. Direct planning and implementation of customs and regulatory affairs plans, measures, and budgets to achieve customs operational results
3. Plan, organize and control customs and regulatory affairs activities for the region for to obtain necessary permits, licenses, certificates, authorizations, and other approvals for the organization, required to conduct current and future business activities and to distribute its goods and service
4. Drive fulfilment of customs requirements for the import/ export and trans-shipment of packages and documents in a time sensitive environment
5. Set and steer achievement of high standards of operational quality throughout customs clearance process, data quality and support functions
6. Monitor the customs operations team and documentation team to optimize productivity and drive cost control
7. Consistently deploy effective people management, cost control planning innovation and communication in order to achieve high customer satisfaction
8. Formulate customs and trade compliance strategy in line with region’s business strategy and requirements, corporate guidelines, and policies
9. Direct planning and implementation of customs and regulatory affairs plans, measures, and budgets to achieve customs operational results
10. Plan, organize and control customs and regulatory affairs activities for the region for to obtain necessary permits, licenses, certificates, authorizations, and other approvals for the organization, required to conduct current and future business activities and to distribute its goods and service
11. Drive fulfilment of customs requirements for the import/ export and trans-shipment of packages and documents in a time sensitive environment
12. Set and steer achievement of high standards of operational quality throughout customs clearance process, data quality and support functions
13. Monitor the customs operations team and documentation team to optimize productivity and drive cost control
14. Consistently deploy effective people management, cost control planning innovation and communication in order to achieve high customer satisfaction
15. Liaise with customs authorities and other governmental bodies on operationally related questions
16. Network and build relations with customs authorities and other counterparts for running smooth operations
17. Anticipate and mitigate business risk for the region’s business and its customers through proactive awareness of changes in statutory regulations impacting the region’s business or its customers
18. Set customs processes and procedures and monitor implementation to adhere to compliance standards, legal requirements, and import/ export control legislation for the region
19. Steer innovation, introduce and embed world class practices and quality standards for customs at the regional level
20. Customs and Regulatory Affairs Management
21. Identify opportunities, both internal and external and recommend initiatives that will facilitate the customs clearance process.
22. Conduct regular audits of clearance performance to ensure compliance to network standards and achievement of the best-cost position.
23. Identify opportunities and impediments in the areas of international trade facilitation, export incentive schemes, trade and policy development and bilateral and multilateral country agreements and work with country management to implement solutions.
24. Ensure DHL customs processes are in compliance with all local laws, regulations & practices.
25. Training about Customs and Regulatory Affairs
26. Identify and assist in the implementation of training programs.
27. Provide technical support to specified projects.
28. Regulatory Compliance Cooperation
29. Effective regulatory and trade law compliance management is a prerequisite to establishing lasting relationships with customs, business partners, investors, employees as well as the general public.
30. The CRA Director assists and consults with the RCO and Regional Management in developing and directing regulatory compliance programs to meet agreed deliverables including sanctions and denied party programs.

Minimum Requirements

Education & experience

Education Level

1. Degree in related discipline
2. Technical qualifications in the customs field
3. Legal qualification (optional)

Experience Level

1. Experience gained through country import / export industry at a senior level
2. 5-8 years relevant experience
3. 3-5 years’ experience at a managerial level
4. Experience gained with DHL, in operations / services environment an advantage
5. Established network of contacts within the customs and regulatory environment
6. Knowledge of Regulatory Compliance and Trade Law
7. Understanding of Regional and Global Trade Agreements such as the TFA and the RKC.
8. Ability to interpret customs legislation