Arabia Customs Clearance & Gov Relations Assistant Manager

JOB PURPOSE
The KSA/Bahrain Customs Clearance & Government Relations Assistant Manager is accountable for leading and governing customs clearance operations and regulatory engagement across KSA and Bahrain, ensuring uninterrupted cross border trade, full regulatory compliance, and optimized logistics cost performance.
The role serves as the central authority and subject matter expert for customs processes, government interfaces, and trade compliance, acting as Unilever’s official representative with customs authorities, ministries, and regulatory bodies. It ensures that import and export activities are executed in line with local laws, GCC unified customs regulations, and Unilever governance standards, while proactively mitigating operational, financial, and compliance risks.
This position plays a strategic enabler role in protecting service levels and business continuity by driving faster clearance lead times, reducing demurrage and detention exposure, securing exemptions and cost savings, and resolving complex customs, audit, and regulatory challenges. The role requires strong regulatory knowledge, commercial judgment, and cross functional leadership to balance service, cost, compliance, and risk, while continuously improving customs processes, broker performance, and governance maturity across the region.



WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

1. Customs Clearance Governance & Execution:
• Lead and govern end to end customs clearance operations for imports and exports across KSA and Bahrain, covering seaports, land borders, bonded facilities, and cross border movements.
• Ensure shipments are cleared on time, in full, and in compliance with local laws, Unified Customs Regulations, and Unilever internal governance.
• Proactively manage customs inspections, holds, additional requirements, and system issues to prevent supply disruptions and business impact.
• Monitor and drive continuous improvement of customs clearance lead time, demurrage, detention, and clearance cost KPIs.

2. Government Relations & Regulatory Representation:
• Act as Unilever’s official and authorized representative with Customs Authorities, SFDA, SASO/SABER, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Energy, VAT authorities, and other regulatory bodies across GCC.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with government stakeholders to facilitate smooth operations, issue resolution, and regulatory alignment.
• Manage official communications, meetings, and escalations with authorities in coordination with Legal, Tax, and Global Trade teams.
• Represent the business during audits, post clearance reviews, regulatory inquiries, and compliance assessments.

3. Trade Compliance, Licensing & Certifications:
• Ensure full compliance with import/export regulations related to FMCG, cosmetics, chemicals, raw and packaging materials, and factory equipment.
• Oversee the acquisition, renewal, and governance of regulatory licenses, approvals, and certificates including:
o Certificates of Origin (COO)
o GS1
o SASO Jeem1
o Saudi Made
o SFDA registrations and Cosmetics COCs
o SABER certifications and exemptions
o Free Sale Certificates for exports
• Ensure documentation accuracy, completeness, and audit readiness across all GCC markets.

4. Customs Broker & Service Provider Governance:
• Own and manage customs broker authorizations across ports and GCC countries, including issuance, renewal, and termination.
• Govern broker performance against service, compliance, and cost KPIs.
• Lead performance reviews, corrective actions, and escalations to ensure adherence to Unilever standards.
• Support sourcing, evaluation, and commercial discussions related to customs brokerage and clearance services.

5. Cost Optimization & Commercial Impact:
• Drive customs related cost optimization initiatives, including duty exemptions, preferential tariff utilization, SABER cost reductions, and port charge savings.
• Actively manage and minimize demurrage, detention, penalties, and compliance related financial exposure.
• Provide commercial input into broker contracts, payment terms, and service models to protect clearance efficiency and business continuity.
• Support joint cost saving initiatives with Logistics, Procurement, Finance, and Supply Chain teams.

6. Trade Compliance Programs & Governance Frameworks:
• Support and coordinate AEO programs, Self-Assessment Questionnaires (SAQs), and trade compliance initiatives across GCC.
• Ensure alignment with Unilever global trade governance, documentation standards, and internal control frameworks.
• Maintain structured digital archiving and documentation processes to support audits and regulatory reviews.

7. Cross Functional Leadership & Stakeholder Management:
• Partner closely with Logistics, Planning, Finance, Legal, Tax, Supply Chain, and Factory teams to ensure aligned customs execution.
• Act as the regional subject matter expert for customs and government relations, providing guidance and direction to internal stakeholders.
• Lead issue resolution and decision making in complex, high risk, or time critical customs scenarios.

8. Capability Building & Continuous Improvement:
• Contribute to building customs and regulatory knowledge within the team through coaching, guidance, and knowledge sharing.
• Identify opportunities to simplify, standardize, and digitalize customs processes across KSA/Bahrain.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen governance, visibility, and operational efficiency.


WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

Experiences & Qualifications

Minimum (Essential to succeed in the role):
• Minimum 5 years of experience in Customs Clearance, Trade Compliance, Logistics, Government Relations, or Supply Chain operations, with direct exposure to KSA and/or GCC markets.
• Proven experience managing customs clearance operations, regulatory requirements, and government interfaces for imports and exports.
• Strong working knowledge of GCC customs regulations, local country requirements, and cross border trade processes.
• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Port Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience working cross functionally with Logistics, Finance, Legal, Tax, Planning, and Supply Chain teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting or leading AEO programs, audits, or trade compliance initiatives.
• Exposure to FMCG operations, especially cosmetics, chemicals, raw and packaging materials, or factory equipment imports.
• Experience engaging with customs authorities, ministries, and regulatory bodies in GCC markets.
• Professional certifications related to customs, trade compliance, or supply chain (e.g., trade compliance, logistics, or customs related programs).

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.