Head of Global Customs Compliance

About UmicorePowering 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.

About Corporate FunctionsA global organisation. It’s not just those in our industrial sites and technical centres that are vital to Umicore’s growth. Across our corporate 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.
What you will be doingAs Head of Global Customs Compliance, you are the authoritative voice on customs matters across Umicore's global operations. Reporting directly to the Director of Transport & Trade Compliance, you will define, govern, and continuously improve Umicore's global customs compliance framework, spanning classification, valuation, origin, procedures, and duty management. You will provide deep technical expertise to regional teams and ensure that customs compliance is managed consistently, proactively, and efficiently across all regions.
This is a key role in shaping and elevating Umicore's customs capability, strengthening the team, building deep expertise across each customs pillar, and embedding a robust global customs framework that delivers both compliance assurance and tangible cost optimisation.
The role can be based in our office in Brussels or Hoboken in Belgium with regular presence on both locations.

Responsibilities:
Customs Framework Governance & Policy Ownership: Define, maintain, and continuously improve the global customs compliance framework: policies, standard operating procedures, classification databases, valuation standards, and origin determination procedures. Establish and govern global customs standards for each pillar: Classification, Valuation, Origin, Procedures, and Duty Management. Conduct periodic reviews and updates in response to regulatory changes, audit findings, and business evolution. Own the customs risk assessment methodology and ensure the framework serves as the single source of truth for regional execution.
Technical Customs Expertise & Advisory: Serve as Umicore's primary customs subject matter expert, providing authoritative technical guidance on complex matters such as intercompany valuation (transfer pricing interface), tariff classification, preferential origin calculations, and customs procedure selection. Validate customs positions taken by regional teams and ensure consistency with the global framework. Support authority engagement including Binding Tariff Information (BTI) applications, AEO/trusted trader programmes, and advance rulings.
Audit Preparedness & Support: Develop global customs audit-readiness standards and self-assessment tools. Provide technical support during customs audits across regions, particularly on valuation methodology, classification defence, and origin documentation. Ensure audit findings and lessons learned are codified, shared across regions, and incorporated into the global framework. Coordinate with the Head of Global Trade Compliance Operations on resource mobilisation during audit periods.
Team Leadership & Capability Building: Lead and further develop the Global Customs team. Sharpen roles, set performance objectives, and develop the team's technical capabilities across all customs pillars. Deliver customs training programmes for regional teams and Business Units, fostering a culture of customs excellence and continuous professional development.
Digitalisation, Data & Customs Cost Optimisation: Define customs business requirements for the Global Trade Management (GTM) system, including classification modules, valuation workflows, origin calculations, and reporting. Oversee customs data quality, reporting accuracy, and analytics capability. Drive customs cost optimisation by identifying and quantifying duty savings opportunities across regions through preferential origin, customs procedures (inward/outward processing, bonded warehousing), and correct classification. Develop and track customs KPIs and drive continuous process improvement across regions.
Who we are looking forRequirements: 10+ years of experience in customs compliance, with deep technical expertise in at least two customs pillars (classification, valuation, origin, procedures, or duty management). Experience gained in a multinational corporate environment and/or a specialised customs or trade compliance consultancy is equally valued.
Master's degree in Business, Law, International Trade, Supply Chain, or a related discipline.
In-depth knowledge of international customs regulations: EU Union C