Trade Compliance Manager

Mission

The Trade Compliance Manager is responsible for establishing, leading, and maintaining Te Ke Ver ’s end-to-end trade compliance framework in support of its UK and international supply chain, R&D, and manufacturing operations.

Working in close partnership with the Supply Chain team and indirectly with the company’s Portuguese centralised trade compliance team, this role ensures that all procurement, movement, storage, and transfer of goods, software, and technical data comply with applicable UK, EU, US, and international trade regulations, including ITAR and EAR.

You will act as the UK organisation’s subject matter expert on import/export compliance, providing clear, pragmatic guidance, to enable compliant sourcing, supplier engagement, and global operations.

This role combines strategic leadership with operational oversight, ensuring robust, auditable processes are embedded across procurement and supply chain activities, while enabling the pace and flexibility required for manufacturing and R&D.

• Act as the lead authority on trade compliance, advising Supply Chain, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Commercial teams on regulatory obligations and risk.
• Partner closely with the Head of Supply Chain and Head of Commercial to ensure:
  • Compliant sourcing of components and assemblies
  • Appropriate controls over international suppliers
  • Integration of compliance into procurement processes
  • Timely communication of restrictions and timescales to inform good procurement decisions
• Provide practical, risk-based guidance to support business growth while maintaining full compliance.

• Oversee all import and export activities related to direct materials, components, and technology.
• Ensure compliance with:
  • UK Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) regulations
  • EU dual‑use regulations
  • US ITAR and EAR requirements
  • International sanctions and embargo regimes
• Classify goods, software, and technology (e.g., dual‑use, military, controlled items).
• Determine and manage export licence requirements, including:
  • Permanent and temporary exports
  • Re‑exports and intra‑company transfers
• Ensure accurate customs declarations, documentation, and record keeping.

• Support defining and maintaining processes governing:
  • Storage of controlled goods and materials
  • Secure handling of export‑controlled data and technical information
  • Movement of goods and technology between sites and countries
• Establish controls for transfer to third parties, including suppliers, partners, and customers.
• Ensure strict adherence to usage restrictions, re‑export limitations, and access controls, including nationality‑based restrictions where applicable.

• Lead the management of:
  • End User Certificates (EUCs)
  • End‑use declarations and compliance validation
• Conduct denied party screening and sanctions checks across customers, suppliers, and partners.
• Embed processes to ensure ongoing monitoring of end‑user risk and compliance status.

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve trade compliance policies, procedures, and controls aligned to direct procurement and supply chain workflows.
• Ensure compliance is embedded into:
  • Supplier onboarding and qualification
  • Procurement processes (RFQs, contracts, POs)
  • Engineering and product lifecycle activities
• Maintain robust audit trails and documentation to support regulatory requirements.
• Lead and support internal and external compliance audits.

• Develop and deliver trade compliance training programmes tailored to:
  • Procurement teams
  • Engineering and R&D
  • Logistics and operations
• Drive awareness of responsibilities related to controlled goods, data handling, and exports.

• At least 3 years experience in trade compliance, export controls, or international trade, within a regulated industry (e.g., aerospace, defence, advanced manufacturing, electronics).
• Deep working knowledge of:
  • ITAR and EAR regulations
  • UK and EU export control frameworks
  • Sanctions and restricted party regimes
• Proven track record of designing and implementing…