Customs Manager

Description:

Customs Compliance:
Ensure that World Net Customs Teams and branches are compliant with SARS Customs legislation and requirements
Ensure that adequate processes are in place in all branches to ensure such compliance.
Ensure that any staff with Customs-related responsibilities has adequate skills to perform their functions.
Where necessary provide or facilitate training to ensure that any skills gaps are addressed.
Ensure that the Customs entry team are appraised or new Customs initiatives, tariff changes and add value to the client through advising of this
Put in place processes and procedures to manage the national warehouse and road bonds (Including Acquittals), ensuring that the company risk is minimized, and zero penalties are incurred.
Coordinate internal audits on operational files and customs procedures
Ensure all Customs literature (tariff books, amendments, explanatory notes and Lexus Nexus) and in order and up to date
Manage and coordinate all Customs Audits (Nationally)
Conduct national spot inspections on WNL bond stores. This should ensure that CC and CW align, and the correct procedures are adhered to.
Review bond reports sent monthly from the branches to ensure compliance and assist where discrepancies exist.
Staff Leadership:
Monitor and optimize utilization and performance of all national Customs resources.
Optimize individual employee performance through effective leadership, coaching, development and training, motivating and supporting staff.
Through training enhance the Customs Tariffing and Customs Legislation knowledge within the business
Create ideas to streamline processes and ensure increased efficiencies and effectiveness.
Create solutions to resolve staff / resource problems.
Ensure that the team’s Job Descriptions and performance KPI’s are in place and managed.
Create a strong national team spirit amongst the Customs team
Encourage and develop multi skilled staff
Performance manage staff were need be
Chair disciplinary processes when need be
Ensure succession planning is place
Operational Management:
Ensure the effective running and co-ordination of the Customs departments within the JHB Branch.
Continuously review the operational and process guidelines according to ISO 9001: 20015 standards.
Co-ordinate the ISO audit process within the Customs teams.
Put in place processes and procedures to manage the framing of entries, managing refunds, managing provisional payments, bond entries and ex-bond entries,
Implement quality control processes and procedures.
Identify potential risk areas for the business and clients and implement mitigation strategies.
Ensure an effective and efficient SARS Refunds Claims process is in place within all the Branches.
Using the business systems, set up reports and tools in which you can see performance, bottle necks, risk areas and inefficiencies, put action plans in place to resolve these.
Gain a full understanding of the operational systems
Ensure timeous resolution of Customs queries (Stops, detentions etc).
Maintain an active refund register to track the process and status of refunds.
Financial Management:
Manage the Profit and Loss of the Customs Team
Investigate and implement ways in which to reduce costs
Prepare the Customs teams budgets
Present budgets to management
Approve expenses as per the limits of authority
Minimise the company financial risk through client exposure and Customs exposure
Minimize refunds paid in advance.
Make sound commercial business decisions, within given mandates
Preapprove and sign off the overtime worked in the Johannesburg branch by the customs team.
Customer Satisfaction:
Initiate Customs Consultancy opportunities with our Clients where possible.
Assess our current and future Clients products, proactively advise them of tariff benefits and issues, rebate opportunities
Asses our current and future Clients products, proactively advise them of tariff benefits and issues, rebate opportunities
Consult with Customers regarding VDN’s and the application of these
Maximise customer satisfaction through efficient processes and accuracy of work
Manage and optimise the first-time right principle ensuring client satisfaction.
Visit clients to discuss Customs related matters
Ensure client communication is effective and efficient
Ensure Client Product Libraries are in place and up to date.
Initiate, compile and conclude tariff determinations for clients (Nationally)
Communicate internally and externally regarding Customs initiatives and changes
Third Party Relationships:
Maintain relationships with SARS Customs, ITAC, internal operations and systems service providers.
Attend SAAFF forums where need be.
Be instrumental part of any systems / projects relating to Customs procedures and the integration of theses system to clients, operations or SARS Customs
Manage service provider performance and allocate volumes according to their performance


Projects:


Coordinate and implement projects relating to Customs initiatives. i.e. bond stores, virtual bonds, Customs operating systems, AEO etc

Requirements:

At least 15 Years’ experience in SARS Customs Clearing and SARS Customs affairs
5-7 Years in Management
Preferably worked within SARS Customs
A good all-round knowledge of Freight Forwarding and Clearing
A good understanding of Customs Legislation, the Customs Act
Knowledgeable on Customs legal matters
Sound knowledge of Bond stores, rebates, customs tariffing and de-group licenses
Sound knowledge of the Customs Clearing process
Experience in customs tariff determinations, rebate applications and WCO rulings