Global Head of Customs Tax

Jaguar & Land Rove; Coventry; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - GBP 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive company is seeking a Global Head of Customs to guide their global customs operations. The successful candidate will have significant experience in customs leadership, particularly in the automotive sector, and a deep understanding of international trade regulations. Responsibilities include developing strategic customs goals, ensuring compliance, and leading a high-performing team. The role offers a hybrid work model and is based in Coventry, England.

Benefits

Award-winning training

Diverse and inclusive culture

Flexibility in work arrangements

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior customs leadership role, ideally within the automotive sector.
• Deep knowledge of origin, classification, and valuation principles.
• Strong understanding of customs regulations in UK, China, US, and other global markets.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a global customs strategy aligned with business goals.
• Ensure compliance and identify customs optimisation opportunities across the supply chain.
• Oversee global customs compliance and interactions with external stakeholders.

Skills

Customs leadership experience

Commercial awareness

Stakeholder management

Team building and development

Fluent English

Education

Degree in International Trade, Supply Chain, Law, or related field

Professional customs certifications

Job description

Overview

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At JLR, we're on a continual journey to reimagine the future of modern luxury, and we want you to be part of it. Through our exquisite and timeless house of brands – Range Rover, Defender, Discovery and Jaguar – we're defining a new approach to sustainability and providing exceptional experiences. As a leader here, you have the opportunity to influence the way we think, providing your unique insight and vision for a better future. It's time to become a proud creator. WHAT TO EXPECT This is a great opportunity to join the JLR tax team during a very exciting time.

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Global Head of Customs to lead and optimise our global customs operations. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in origin, classification, and valuation, with a strong track record of driving change and delivering value across international markets, particularly the UK, China, and the US, while also possessing experience across other global territories.

This role requires a proactive, self-driven leader who can develop and inspire a high-performing team, lead complex transformation projects, and ensure compliance while identifying opportunities for customs optimisation across the supply chain.

THE ROLE

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a global customs strategy aligned with business goals.
• Define global import/export policies, standards and guidelines based on best practices for international movement of goods.
• Anticipate, action and respond to international trade developments impacting JLR's business, particularly where they are likely to increase JLR’s annual duty and trade tariff exposure.
• Provide expert guidance on customs matters in key markets (UK, China, US) and other global territories.
• Represent the company in customs-related matters with external stakeholders and authorities, including HMRC, SMMT, ACEA etc.
• Oversee global customs compliance, ensuring adherence to all relevant regulations, and support with escalations in local markets where needed.
• Manage and improve processes related to origin determination, tariff classification, and customs valuation.
• Identify and implement duty mitigation strategies, including FTAs, customs regimes, and special programs.
• Build, lead, and mentor a global customs team.
• Define measurable performance targets for central and regional trade teams and effectively lead central and regional trade teams towards set goals.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and innovation.
• Engage cross-functionally and work closely with supply chain, legal, finance, and commercial teams to align customs strategy with broader business objectives.
• Support product launches and new market entries from a customs perspective.

Key Interactions

Internal

• Procurement
• Transformation & Performance

External

• Global Tax Authorities

What you’ll need

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Proven experience in a senior customs leadership role, ideally within the automotive sector.
• Strong business acumen and commercial awareness, and ability to make decisions factoring in a wide range of potential impacts outside of the direct customs & trade implications.
• Deep knowledge of origin, classification, and valuation principles.
• Knowledge of duty reliefs such as IPR, RGR, End use, bonded warehouses, first sale etc
• Experience of implementing and managing AEO.
• Demonstrated success in optimising global customs positions and leading transformational change projects.
• Strong understanding of customs regulations in UK, China, US, and other global markets.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and drive results.
• Experienced in working across multiple geographies/jurisdictions and demonstrated effective inter-cultural communication.
• Experience in managing, building and developing high-performing teams.
• Comfortable working in a hybrid environment, with regular presence at the Coventry – Whitley site.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Degree in International Trade, Supply Chain, Law, or related field.
• Professional customs certifications.
• Automotive industry experience

Personal Profile

• Demonstrates our Creators' Code behaviours of Customer Love, Unity, Integrity, Growth and Impact.
• Self-motivated, with a high degree of drive and ownership, with a strong delivery ethic.
• Exemplary communication skills, must be articulate and able to explain complex issues in plain language, simply, to a wide range of stakeholders. Must have excellent written, presentation and verbal skills with fluent English (written and verbal).
• Accomplished stakeholder manager, confident and adept at engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, from Board members to early career colleagues.
• An individual, who is results driven, demonstrating tenacity, drive and perseverance with the ability to deliver plans in a complex, demanding environment.
• Resilient and enthusiastic, who responds constructively to new ideas and inputs.
• An effective team player, who coaches and supports team members.

Creating Modern Luxury requires a modern approach to work. At JLR, hybrid working is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement providing employees flexibility around how, when and where they work. Some roles require more on-site work, but details of this can be discussed with the hiring manager during the interview stage.

We work hard to nurture a culture that is inclusive and welcoming to all. We understand candidates may require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. Please discuss these with your recruiter so we can accommodate your needs.

JLR is committed to equal opportunity for all.

#WEAREJLR

At JLR we are passionate about our people. They are at the heart of our business. We are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive culture that is representative of our global customers and the society in which we live; a culture in which every one of our employees can bring their authentic self to work, and reach their full potential.

Find out what to expect at each stage of the process along with some hints and tips.

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We look after our employees by offering a host of benefits and investing in their talent through award-winning training