Customs Analyst

We are looking for a dedicated compliance professional to join our Waitrose Customs and Excise team who ensure all imported and exported stock is accurately declared to Customs on time.

In this role, you will champion regulatory compliance, manage commodity code classification and use of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in accordance with Preferential Origin rules. You’ll play a crucial part in maintaining robust audit trails, monitoring UK and Channel Islands customs entries, supporting sustainability reporting, and ensuring we pay the correct duties and VAT.

In addition to your contractual pay, any time worked between 22:00 - 06:00 will attract Night Premium at a rate of £4.75 per hour. This will also apply to existing Partners who have enrolled onto Enhanced Hours Premium arrangements.

At a glance Salary range
- Expected Salary up to £45,000, depending on skills and experience Contract type
- This is a permanent position Working pattern/flexible working
- The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. There is an expectation you will attend the office regularly to connect with the team and on a more ad-hoc basis to attend key meetings as required.

Hours of Work - 35 hours per week Location
- Pimlico, London

• Legal Compliance:
  Make declarations to HMRC through the Customs Declaration Service (CDS), ensuring entries meet all regulatory requirements and are within the correct time period. Adhere to all classification, origin, preference, and valuation legislation across both EU and ROW movements. Maintain operational awareness of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) and Windsor Framework.
• Product Classification & FTAs:
  Work closely with Buying to identify new products and confirm the correct commodity code to set import duty rates and identify import restrictions. Act as a subject matter expert on Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to optimise preferential origin sourcing.
• Risk Management:
  
  Establish how to identify and apply relevant rules of origin and valuation rules, ensuring suppliers are aware of their responsibility. Maintain appropriate controls and up-to-date evidential documentation. Assist with Business Control checks, MSS checks, and entry amendments. Raise and elevate areas of concern. Manage returns and deferment accounts appropriately.
• Reporting & Sustainability Support:
  Extract, manage, and prepare compliance data to support wider team needs, specifically generating reports required for modern environmental and sustainability tracking. Process Development & Systems:
  Work proactively to identify opportunities for process improvements. Utilise advanced Google Spreadsheets (including Apps Script) to automate and streamline workflows. Leverage modern tech to boost efficiency.
• Teamwork, Training & Functional Leadership:
  Lead the onboarding process for new starters and provide functional leadership on specific compliance tasks. Coordinate work proactively with others to ensure deadlines are met and maintain high service levels. Control use of Deferment and VAT:
  Help manage the use of our Deferment and EORI numbers through the controlled approval of road, air and courier shipments. Understand when it is appropriate for other deferment accounts to be used. Authorise and manage returned goods with support of the Line Manager.

• Proven experience of Customs entries including extensive hands-on experience using the Customs Declaration Service (CDS).
• Deep knowledge of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and both preferential and non-preferential origin rules.
• Strong knowledge of customs valuation…