Kering UK Customs Operations Specialist
- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Mid-Level
- Compensation
- €29,000/year
- Department
- Supply Chain, Logistics & Inventory
- Industry
- Fashion, Apparel & Leather Goods
- Posted
- Jul 10, 2026
About Kering
Kering is a global luxury group renowned for nurturing some of the world’s most influential Houses in fashion, leather goods, jewelry, and eyewear, including Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, and Boucheron. As an employer, Kering offers a distinctive environment where creative excellence, entrepreneurial spirit, and long-term sustainability converge. The Group empowers its talents to shape the future of luxury through innovation, craftsmanship, and responsible business practices. With an international culture grounded in diversity, inclusion, and shared ambition, Kering provides meaningful career opportunities for professionals seeking to contribute to exceptional brands while advancing a more sustainable and imaginative luxury industry.
Kering seeks a UK Customs Operations Specialist in Trecate, Italy to manage UK customs operations, HMRC compliance, and multi-brand import/export processes.
Role & Responsibilities
- Manage daily UK import and export customs operations across multiple brands and external brokers
- Prepare and oversee customs instructions, return goods relief (RGR) processing, and pre-shipment customs validation for high-priority flows including fashion shows
- Administer CITES permits management with full traceability and compliance documentation
- Produce and maintain key reporting including the MSS Monthly Import Report (HMRC data consolidation across 14 entities), FTA Savings Report, RGR Savings Reporting (quarterly), and Annual Customs Activity Report (multi-brand consolidated view)
- Analyze customs data to identify inefficiencies and cost-saving opportunities
- Manage operational issues and escalations with brokers and internal stakeholders; drive corrective actions and process improvements
- Support VAT recovery processes including HMRC amendments and UPS flows
- Ensure structured reporting and data consolidation; maintain continuous interaction with brokers and cross-functional teams to support compliance, audit, and risk mitigation activities
Qualifications
- Minimum 2 years of experience in customs operations with demonstrated knowledge of UK customs (HMRC), import/export processes, Free Trade Agreements (FTA), Return Goods Relief (RGR), CITES regulations, and VAT procedures
- Fluent English proficiency (mandatory) for daily interaction with UK stakeholders
- Strong problem-solving mindset with a proactive approach and demonstrated sense of ownership
- Excellent organizational and analytical skills with proven ability to manage high workload and multiple competing priorities
Skills
Experience
Minimum 2 years in customs operations, with hands-on experience in UK customs (HMRC), import/export processes, Free Trade Agreements, Return Goods Relief (RGR), CITES regulations, and VAT procedures. Experience managing multiple brokers and cross-functional stakeholders in an international luxury or high-volume operations environment is highly valued.
Education
No specific formal educational qualifications stated; however, a background in international trade, supply chain, customs compliance, or related field is advantageous.
Workplace
The role is situated in Novara, Piedmont, Italy — conveniently close to Milan.
Compensation
The base compensation for this position is EUR 29,000 per annum.
Benefits
Company canteen, welfare programs, and additional benefits in accordance with company policies; annual bonus opportunity according to company internal agreement; benefits provided under the applicable National Collective Labor Agreement (CCNL - Addetti alle Industrie Manifatturiere delle Pelli e Succedanei e Ombrelli e Ombrelloni).
Culture
Kering fosters a dynamic, purpose-driven culture where creativity, entrepreneurship, and collaboration support the distinct identities of its luxury Houses. As an employer, the Group places strong emphasis on sustainability, diversity, and talent development, encouraging people to innovate responsibly while contributing to the future of modern luxury.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Kering, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Customs Compliance Officer», «UK Trade Operations Manager», «Customs and Excise Coordinator», «Trade Compliance Specialist», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.