Company Description

We strive to be a Customs organization focused on development and optimization. We act as a strategic partner and trusted resource to achieve business goals, create a culture of compliance and drive the continuous pursuit of operational excellence.

Our mission is to enable an agile and compliant value chain through active customs and trade facilitation, to make the IKEA vision and strategies a living reality.

We are now looking for a new colleague to join us in this exciting mission! The role of Customs Operations Manager is a main contributor towards overall operational excellence, standardized working methods and securing high levels of compliance. This role combines leadership of our Swiss country team together with leading and/or contributing to global projects, as assigned by our Customs management team.

Job Description

Swiss country customs team:

• Develop and drive an action plan for import and export initiatives and secure follow up
• Secure operational excellence in day-to-day operations through optimal set up of organization, workflow, and budget
• Obtain, maintain and renew permissions, simplifications, licenses etc required for efficient and effective import and export activities
• Monitor local regulations and legislation and effectively communicate changes
• Maintain KPIs and metrics necessary to support local operations and meet IKEA Supply AG (ISAG) requirements
  
  

Global customs operations:

• Identify and leverage common ways of working to secure operational excellence and harmonized ways of working within the overall ISAG Customs operational functions
• Organize and participate in the forum of regional Customs Operations Support Centres and help securing ISAG Customs wished position, mission, strategies and action plans
• Secure the operational needs with internal and external key stakeholders to support efficient, cost conscience and compliant ways of working that impact customs and compliance operations
• Actively identify risks related to regional and local country customs operations and support mitigation with corrective action recommendations
• As assigned, support Customs audits initiated by external customs authorities or through internal self-audits
  
  

Qualifications

To be successful in this role, we believe you need to have:

• Experience and big passion in leading the business and people together
• High interest in customs operations, compliance, supply chain security and related topics
• Previous experience or knowledge in working with or within supply chain operations
• Analytical and structured ways of working with the ability to see the total picture and at the same time pay attention to details
• Eagerness and curiosity to work in a global environment
• Eagerness to drive change and find optimal solutions
• Proven ability to build efficiencies and compliance into operations while meeting the business needs
• Experience with managing and implementing projects
• Experience and knowledge regarding Swiss import and export rules and regulations and how to apply them to business goals and daily operations
• Fluency in English, knowledge of German is an advantage
• Demonstrable experience in communicating with government authorities
• Ability to exercise tact, restraint and discretion with critical and confidential issues
  
  

Additional Information

This is full-time role, based in Pratteln, Switzerland.

Does this sound like a challenge for you?

We look forward to receiving your application – CV and a letter of motivation – in English latest 6th November, 2023.

About IKEA

At IKEA, we do things a little different. We think, differently. Act, differently. And work differently as well. We like to break things. And then make things. Like music-playing lamps. And beds disguised as sofas. Even plantballs that help us look after our planet. It’s all part of our vision - to create a better everyday life for the many. And it’s been keeping our co-workers going for over 75 years. By 2030, we hope to help millions more look forward to going home. Maybe you can help us?

IKEA Supply is responsible for securing that the product offer is produced and delivered to our customers. We lead the supply agenda across many functions and work together with all business areas, different business units, but also retail markets to secure customer availability in all markets and sales channels at lowest total cost.

At IKEA we believe that we’re better when we’re physically together for collaboration, dialogues, and conversations. We believe in the power of human interactions; the informal chats, the energy, belonging, and creativity generated by people being in the same place. Our approach is that we spend most of our time in the IKEA workplace and with flexibility to work from home when relevant.

Another thing fueling our success is our values-based culture. While we are unique individuals with endless differences, something we share is our commitment to lead by example, work together, find better ways and to get things done. We believe in life-long learning, where we all play a part in helping each other (and our business) grow.

Read more about us at https://about.ikea.com