Assistant Tax Manager - Customs/Exports

Full job description
About us

At Debenhams Group, we don’t stand still. We lead, evolve, and redefine online fashion. With bold ambitions and big energy, we’re on a mission to get back to our very best, delivering the strongest propositions to our customers in the most engaging, innovative, and efficient ways possible.

Your Team

Reporting to the Group Customs Manager, you will manage an area providing customs support excellence to all aspects of Debenhams group’s supply chain, from BM guidance the customs support for delivery of international customer parcels returns as well as product documentation compliance to our wholesale partners.

The department has successfully managed the implementation of a customs bonded warehouse operation at our Burnley DC and will soon embark on a similar project for the Sheffield facility.

The Role

This newly created role, will play a pivotal role in ensuring compliance with international customs regulations and optimising duty costs. This role involves collaborating with suppliers to ensure accurate information for customs declarations whilst educating them on customs requirements and changes. You'll handle international customs-related issues, disputes, and investigations as well as developing strategies to resolve trade-related challenges.

You must have a good understanding of global trade regulations and tariff classifications and be able to provide insights on market access and regulatory implications whilst also identifying opportunities for process enhancement and trade process automation.

What you'll be doing

With support from the Group Customs Manager you will collaborate with various teams to:

Ensure accurate documentation.
Ensure Customs duty compliance across the group
Minimise duty expenses.
Take ownership of the export documentation process in conjunction with wholesale partners and international customs requirements
Contribute to the development of international trade strategies and policies
Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the customs and global trade function
Audit and ensure compliance of relevant import/export customs procedures as well as conducting regular periodic reviews of the procedures to ensure that they are current and are within applicable legal requirements
Support Carrier and Freight Forwarder compliance queries and resolving these in a timely manner
Maintaining SOP’s for the function in line with HMRC requirements.
Facilitate the smooth movement of goods across borders.
Identify opportunities to streamline customs procedures, automate tasks, and enhance efficiency.
Stay informed about emerging customs and trade regulations that could impact the business.
Prepare for and support customs audits, inspections, and verifications as needed.
What we're looking for

Previous experience of supporting international logistics.
Familiar with Shipping documents such as Commercial Invoices and Packing Lists and supporting customs compliance and duty optimisation in an import/export operation.
Basic understanding of global customs regulations, trade agreements, optimisation strategies, Incoterms and international logistics.
Analytical skills to interpret tariff schedules, trade agreements and customs valuation methods.
Detail-oriented mindset for accurate data entry and documentation preparation.
Communication skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and customs authorities.
Strong organisational skills to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
Problem-solving skills and the ability to make informed decisions under pressure.
Attention to detail and accuracy in customs declarations and compliance documentation.
Working with us

At Debenhams Group, we are a diverse portfolio of five core brands (boohoo, boohooMAN, PrettyLittleThing, Karen Millen, and Debenhams) alongside a dynamic marketplace model and a growing financial services division, it keeps us pretty busy!

We don’t stand still, we lead, evolve, and redefine online fashion. With bold ambitions and big energy, we’re on a mission to be the best, delivering the strongest propositions to our customers in the most engaging, innovative, and efficient ways possible. Read more