Global Trade Compliance Operations Director

ppPowering the cars of today and tomorrow. Reducing harmful emissions. Giving unique properties to high-end applications. Giving new life to used metals. As a global advanced materials and recycling group, we develop, produce, and recycle materials for a better life. /p h3About Enterprise Functions /h3 pA global organisation. It’s not just those in our industrial sites and technical centres that are vital to Umicore’s growth. Across our enterprise functions we ensure that we continue to grow and evolve – whether it’s by making sure our decisions are commercially viable, enhancing our reputation, building new customer relationships or finding the right people who can build on what we’ve already achieved. The variety of our work means we cannot stand still. We need to find new ways to do things, discover new solutions and develop new ideas. Which is where you come in. /p h3What You Will Be Doing /h3 pWe are currently looking for abGlobal Trade Compliance Operations Director /b to join Umicore and lead the Global Trade Compliance Operations team. Reporting to the Senior Director Transport and Trade Compliance, you are accountable for the execution of trade compliance activities that require regional and country-level presence. The role can be based in Brussels or Hoboken in Belgium. /p pYou ensure that export controls, sanctions, and customs requirements are implemented consistently and effectively in all regions, with a strong focus on activities that depend on local regulatory knowledge, authority interaction, and proximity to operations. /p pYou oversee regional and country-level execution of key activities including export licensing, authority communications, regulatory monitoring, and relationship management with authorities and licensing bodies, as well as the application of customs requirements and processes at local level. Through the Regional Managers, you ensure that these activities are carried out in line with global standards and aligned with Umicore’s Internal Compliance Program. /p h3Responsibilities: /h3 ul liLead and coordinate the Global Trade Compliance Operations team, including Regional Managers across EMEA, North America, and APAC /li liEnsure effective execution of export controls, sanctions, and customs activities at regional and country level, in line with global policies and standards /li liTranslate strategic priorities into clear operational plans and ensure consistent implementation across regions /li liEstablish and maintain a structured operational cadence, including regular alignment with Regional Managers and consolidated reporting /li liConsolidate regional operational input into a single overview, highlighting key risks, priorities, and required actions /li liCoordinate cross-regional operational topics such as audits, authority requests, licence renewals, regulatory changes, and customs-related matters /li liEnsure that operational practices and processes are consistently applied across regions, while taking into account local regulatory requirements /li liAct as a quality check for escalations, ensuring that topics are clearly documented, prioritised, and supported with recommendations /li liSupport resolution of cross-regional operational topics such as resource allocation, priorities, and timelines within the defined mandate /liliDefine, monitor, and report operational KPIs across regions, including audit readiness, licence management, screening timelines, customs performance, and overall compliance execution /li liMonitor workload and resource allocation across regions and support adjustments where needed /li liEnsure close alignment with the Global Export Controls and Sanctions team and the Global Customs team, translating global guidance into practical application in the regions while maintaining clear separation of roles and responsibilities. /li liEnsure that feedback from the regions is captured and used to improve policies, procedures, and ways of working /li liSupport the operational readiness and implementation of strategic initiatives such as system roll-outs, process harmonisation, and governance changes /li /ul h3Who We Are Looking For: /h3 ul li10+ years of experience in trade compliance operations leadership role in a multinational environment /li liExperience in coordinating or managing teams across multiple regions or countries /li liGood understanding of trade compliance frameworks, including export controls, sanctions, and customs /li liMaster’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, International Trade, Law, or a related field /li liStrong coordination and organizational skills, with the ability to bring structure across regions /li liAbility to translate strategy into clear operational execution /li liAnalytical mindset with the ability to consolidate complex information into clear insights and recommendations /li liClear and structured communicator, able to align different stakeholders /li liAbility to work effectively in a matrix organization and influe