General Manager, Customs, Air & Sea

Location:

ZAF - Kempton Park, Serengeti Blvd (DSV Park Gauteng)

Job Posting

Title:

General Manager, Customs, Air & Sea

Time Type:
Full Time

Main Purpose of the Role: The General Manager, Customs is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational performance, compliance governance, service delivery, risk management and people management of the Customs function. The role ensures that Customs activities across all modes, imports and exports are performed in line with applicable Customs legislation, DSV policies, client requirements and agreed operational KPIs, while supporting business growth, client retention and continuous improvement.

Duties & Responsibilities: The General Manager, Customs position can be broken down into three areas of responsibility:
Finance and Risk, People Management, and Customs & Operational Excellence.

Finance and Risk Formulates, monitors and achieves Customs objectives in line with country, regional and Air & Sea leadership requirements.

Manages the Customs function within approved budgets and identifies cost efficiencies, productivity improvements and process enhancements.

Supports accurate forecasting, operational planning and resource planning for the Customs function.

Monitors Customs performance, productivity, service delivery and compliance-related metrics on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.

Identifies, manages and escalates operational, financial, legislative and client-related risks that may impact Customs delivery, profitability, client commitments or DSV compliance obligations.

Ensures internal and external controls, policies, procedures, KPIs and Standard Operating Procedures are applied consistently across the Customs function.

Partners with Finance, Operations, Product, Commercial and Branch leadership to manage risk, support client requirements and ensure sustainable service delivery.

Provides guidance on Customs-related matters that may impact pricing, tenders, client onboarding, operational implementation or service commitments.

People Management Leads, supports, coaches and develops the Customs management and brokerage teams to deliver against company targets, legislative requirements and client expectations.

Manages the delivery of the organisation objectives through clear communication, measurement, motivation and accountability.

Manages people performance and growth to create a sustainable, compliant and high-performing Customs environment.

Provides leadership and guidance to Customs Managers, Supervisors, Senior Brokers, Brokers and Learners, where applicable.

Builds strong teams to ensure progress, continuity of business, service excellence and operational stability within the Customs function.

Identifies training needs and ensures relevant Customs, system, process and legislative training is provided to develop skills and reduce errors.

Engages with direct reports to ensure career pathing is clear and succession plans are in place for critical Customs roles.

Creates a culture of accountability, compliance, accuracy, client centricity, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Customs & Operational Excellence Provides overall leadership and governance of the Customs function to ensure compliant processing and release of Customs Declarations across all modes, imports and exports.

Ensures that the Customs Act and extended schedules are understood, applied and embedded in the processing of Customs Declarations.

Oversees workflow management to ensure Customs work is processed according to operational KPIs, client requirements and Customs legislation.

Ensures correct tariff classification processes are followed for all Customs Declarations and that appropriate guidance is provided where tariffs are not supplied or require review.

Ensures that rules of origin are correctly applied to Customs Declarations and that relevant supporting documentation is maintained.

Ensures that proper Customs valuation methods are applied in accordance with Customs legislation and DSV governance requirements.

Oversees the submission and release process with SARS and other relevant government departments to ensure accuracy, compliance and timely clearance.

Ensures client profile maintenance is in place and aligned to client requirements, operational needs and compliance expectations.

Advises on process and system improvements to streamline Customs processes, reduce errors, improve turnaround times and strengthen compliance controls.

Ensures errors, potential risks, recurring issues and process gaps are reported, investigated and addressed through corrective and preventative action.

Works closely with branch, operations, product, commercial, client retention and shared functions to ensure Customs objectives are aligned and executable.

Supports client escalations, service reviews and operational implementation where Customs expertise is required.

Maintains a strong working knowledge of relevant government departments, Customs requirements, industry developments and regulatory changes impacting the business.

Other…