Johannesburg: Customs Affairs Operations Manager

Key Responsibilities Regulatory & Compliance Management Ensure full legal and regulatory compliance across Customs, SARS, CAA, OHASA, Civil Aviation, Labour and other relevant authorities. Guarantee compliance with the Customs Act for all imports, exports and transit shipments. Manage accurate, timely customs entries while maintaining high‑quality output to minimise penalties. Ensure full compliance with bond activities, DG handling, Security and HSE protocols. Operational Excellence Oversee Customs Affairs performance including KPIs, VOC, Billing Quality and Scorecards. Apply ISO and First Choice methodologies to drive continuous improvement. Manage productivity using LRT/DMRT to ensure optimal efficiency and Best in Class operations. Support cross-border BLNS LHL clearances (air & road) and manage RIB acquittals. Ensure CA processes meet aviation, airport, internal GSOP and security regulations. Risk & Performance Management Identify, monitor and mitigate operational and regulatory risks. Ensure performance indicators and progress are fully visible to the business and wider network. Work cross-functionally with Operations Performance teams to drive organisational results. Stakeholder Management Build and maintain strong external relationships with SARS, Customs, ACSA, CAA, SAPS, Unions, OHASA, SAEPA, Airlines and other key partners. Collaborate internally with Aviation, Operations, Commercial, Finance and Network functions. Proactively manage key service partners including BPO, Peak Advisory and Movation. Leadership & People Development Lead, motivate and inspire teams to achieve high performance. Recruit, develop and manage a skilled, compliant and high-performing Customs Affairs team. Drive a culture of continuous improvement, knowledge development and accountability. Minimum Requirements Education & Experience Degree in a relevant field. Strong Customs experience, including tariffs, regulations and legislation. Experience in a large multinational International Express environment. 5 years middle/senior management experience in a class-leading organisation. Sound knowledge of Customs processes, Excise and regulatory frameworks. Experience with airside operations is essential. Proven experience in Change Management and Project Management methodologies. Skills & Competencies Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills. High level of Customs technical expertise. Excellent problem‑solving and decision‑making ability. Strong communication, negotiation and relationship‑building skills. Ability to manage risk, performance, compliance and operational excellence simultaneously.