Trade Compliance Manager - Defence

A fantastic opportunity for a Trade Compliance Manager has arisen to join a leading high-technology and defence manufacturing organisation operating across multiple UK sites. This is a senior, business-critical role providing leadership and oversight of Trade Compliance activity across a complex, regulated environment supporting UK, EU and US defence and dual-use programmes.

You'll act as the single accountable Trade Compliance lead across several UK manufacturing locations, embedding compliant processes into day-to-day operations, leading regulatory engagement, and ensuring audit readiness in a high-risk, high-volume export environment.

Role - Trade Compliance Manager Location - Shipley - hybrid working, minimum 3 days onsite Type - Permanent position Salary - Competitive (DOE) + benefits

Key responsibilities of the Trade Compliance Manager role include (but are not limited to):

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• Leads and oversees the implementation of Trade Compliance programme elements, policies, procedures and automated tools across multiple UK manufacturing sites.
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• Ensures Trade Compliance controls are fully embedded into local business processes and consistently executed across operations, engineering, sales and supply chain.
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• Acts as the senior Trade Compliance authority for UK operations, providing governance, oversight and accountability.
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• Conducts transactional reviews, manages UK and US export authorisations, and oversees denied party screening, classification and jurisdiction determinations.
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• Supports transaction due diligence, technology transfers, facility controls and export records management.
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• Provides regular guidance, communication and regulatory updates to senior stakeholders, raising Trade Compliance awareness across the business.
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• Leads and supports internal assessments, investigations and corrective action programmes.
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• Identifies training needs and delivers Trade Compliance training across the organisation, whilst maintaining continuous professional development.
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• Drives continuous improvement of Trade Compliance processes without compromising regulatory integrity, using audit findings and best-practice benchmarking.
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• Works closely with senior leadership to ensure Trade Compliance supports business growth, revenue delivery and operational continuity.
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Key skills and experience required for the Trade Compliance Manager role include (but are not limited to):

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• In-depth knowledge of UK and US export control laws and regulations, including ITAR, EAR and global sanctions frameworks.
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• Proven experience implementing and leading Trade Compliance programmes within a high-technology, defence or aerospace environment.
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• Strong leadership capability, with experience managing teams and influencing senior business stakeholders.
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• Extensive experience handling UK Military and Dual-Use products and US-controlled regimes.
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• Expertise in end-use and end-user assurance requirements across the UK, EU and US.
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• Strong analytical skills, with experience collecting, analysing and reporting compliance data to senior audiences.
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• Ability to distil complex regulatory requirements into clear, practical guidance for the wider business.
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• Experience operating in high-volume, licence-intensive export environments.
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• Resilient, calm under pressure, and able to make sound commercial decisions in high-risk, time-critical situations.
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To apply for this Trade Compliance Manager / Export Compliance Manager / Export Controls Manager / Global Trade Compliance Manager / Senior Trade Compliance Lead role, candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.