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 - Lincoln - 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):

• Leads and oversees the implementation of Trade Compliance programme elements, policies, procedures and automated tools across multiple UK manufacturing sites.
• Ensures Trade Compliance controls are fully embedded into local business processes and consistently executed across operations, engineering, sales and supply chain.
• Acts as the senior Trade Compliance authority for UK operations, providing governance, oversight and accountability.
• Conducts transactional reviews, manages UK and US export authorisations, and oversees denied party screening, classification and jurisdiction determinations.
• Supports transaction due diligence, technology transfers, facility controls and export records management.
• Provides regular guidance, communication and regulatory updates to senior stakeholders, raising Trade Compliance awareness across the business.
• Leads and supports internal assessments, investigations and corrective action programmes.
• Identifies training needs and delivers Trade Compliance training across the organisation, whilst maintaining continuous professional development.
• Drives continuous improvement of Trade Compliance processes without compromising regulatory integrity, using audit findings and best‑practice benchmarking.
• Works closely with senior leadership to ensure Trade Compliance supports business growth, revenue delivery and operational continuity.

Key skills and experience required for the Trade Compliance Manager role include (but are not limited to):

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

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.

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