Customs Operations Leader

Together with Manager lead and organize the import and export activities for the assigned geographical area to secure operational excellence and maximize compliance.

Key assignments

• Responsible to secure operational excellence in local day-to-day operations and to continually review current ways of working.
• Secure continual review and optimization of operations and maximize compliance. Secure efficiency of import and export activities.
• Develop and maintain optimal setup and processes for import and export operations within assigned country.
• When external service providers are utilized directly responsible for the day-to-day interface and operations with external service providers for customs and compliance activities as assigned by IKEA Supply AG or IKEA Supply AG wholesale subsidiary.
• Day to day interaction with local authorities relative to transactional activities.
• Gather and retain documents and data necessary to generate and maintain KPI’s for assigned geographical area and provide to IKEA Supply AG or IKEA Supply AG wholesale subsidiary. Follow up performance indicators and identify improvements.
• Secure processes that actively monitor deviations, act upon deviations and pursue activities that identify and correct systemic or operational conditions that are the cause of deviations.
• Support Customs Operations Manager in activities necessary to identify and manage risk related to Customs operations and compliance in assigned geographical area.
• Where applicable, support Customs Operations Manager in activities necessary to obtain, maintain and renew permissions, simplifications, permits, licenses, etc. required for efficient and effective import and export operations in assigned geographical area.
• Support leadership in the development and implementation of the assigned geographical area action plan for import, export and compliance initiatives. Secure follow through on initiatives.
• Support external audits, periodic projects and self-audits as assigned.
• At least 3 to 6 years of experience within the import and export industry.
• Knowledge of compliance and operations for bonded warehouse and foreign trade zones (FTZ)
• Experience and knowledge regarding import and export regulations of the assigned geographical area Demonstrable experience communicating with government authorities
• Experience in project management
• Strong analytical, investigative and interpersonal skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Possession of brokerage or customs compliance professional license or certification would be an added advantage
• Strong desire and capability to initiate and implement continuous improvement
• Strong Compliance mindset
• Enjoy working in a global environment and to accept and take advantage of diversity
• Fluency in local language and English (written and oral)

This role will be based in Port Klang, Malaysia.

We welcome your application and look forward to receiving your application latest by 19 November 2026.