Head of Global Trade Compliance

Vanderlande is a leading global partner in future-proof logistics process automation for distribution centers, airports, and the parcel market. Our comprehensive portfolio of integrated solutions – innovative systems, intelligent software, and life-cycle services – enables the delivery of fast, reliable, and efficient automation technology.

Why this role?

As Vanderlande continues to grow and further integrate its global operations, we are strengthening how we manage compliance, risk, and responsible business conduct across the organization. As part of this broader effort, we are strengthening our global Compliance Management System, which brings together all core compliance domains in a consistent and risk-based way.

Trade Compliance is one of these core domains and plays a critical role in this. Our business operates across borders, supply chains, and regulatory environments where customs, export controls and sanctions directly impact how we operate, deliver and grow.

Within Trade Compliance, this means further developing and embedding a robust Internal Compliance Program (ICP), covering customs, export controls and sanctions. The current setup provides an operational foundation, with a strong opportunity to further align, standardize and mature this Trade Compliance ICP and embed it effectively within our broader Compliance Management System.

What you will do

As Head of Global Trade Compliance, you will lead and further build Vanderlande’s global trade compliance function as an integral part of our Compliance, Risk & Ethics organization. You will report directly to the Director Ethics, Risk & Compliance, and be responsible for shaping and delivering a robust, future-fit global trade compliance program.

You will lead a globally distributed team of three trade compliance professionals, with the opportunity to further develop the team’s capabilities and ways of working over time.

The scope covers all global trade compliance topics, including customs, export controls and sanctions, as well as sanctions screening frameworks and their application across the organization. You will further develop, implement, and continuously improve Vanderlande’s Trade Compliance Internal Compliance Program, and ensure its integration into the wider Compliance Management System.

This is a leadership role with a strong transformation component, requiring stakeholder engagement across functions, regions and management levels to further embed Trade Compliance in the way Vanderlande operates.

Key responsibilities

Leadership and team development

• Lead, coach and develop the global trade compliance team, creating a strong and engaged team across regions.
• Further develop the team structure, ways of working and capabilities to support the continued growth and maturity of Vanderlande's global Trade Compliance program.

Trade Compliance program development

• Further develop, implement and continuously improve Vanderlande’s Trade Compliance Internal Compliance Program, including policies, standards, controls and monitoring mechanisms.
• Ensure full integration of trade compliance and customs into Vanderlande’s global Compliance Management System, including risk assessments, reporting and governance.
• Define clear ownership, escalation routes and decision-making frameworks across regions and functions.

Customs, export controls and sanctions framework ownership

• Oversee global customs operations, ensuring compliance with applicable customs and international trade laws and regulations across Vanderlande’s markets.
• Act as the primary point of contact for third-party customs brokers and monitor their performance.
• Own and further develop the global framework for customs, export controls and sanctions.
• Ensure consistency in approach while enabling effective local implementation.
• Translate legal and regulatory requirements into practical, risk-based processes and controls.

Sanctions screening and cross-process integration

• Design, implement and oversee global sanctions screening frameworks, including tooling, escalation logic, and documentation standards.
• Ensure sanctions screening is effectively embedded in business processes such as business partner onboarding, customer acceptance and order execution.
• Work with the Ethics, Risk & Compliance team and other functions to explore synergies for, or alignment with, related processes, such as anti-corruption due diligence and integrity risk assessments.

Operational excellence and continuous improvement

• Design and optimize procedures, controls and manuals for trade compliance, including customs, classification and valuation topics.
• Strengthen data quality, documentation standards and audit readiness.
• Identify improvement areas and implement pragmatic, scalable solutions.

Business partnership and stakeholder management

• Work closely with key functions and teams such as Procurement, Sales, Operations, Routing & Forwarding, Engineering, Finance, Tax, Legal and regional teams.
• Proactively advise senior management on trade-related risks and strategic decisions.
• Act as the central point of contact for trade compliance across Vanderlande, ensuring clear governance, ownership and escalation where needed.
• Collaborate with compliance and dedicated trade compliance teams across the wider organization, contributing to knowledge sharing, alignment of approaches and continuous improvement of global standards.

Training, awareness and regulatory monitoring

• Drive global training and awareness on trade compliance topics.
• Monitor regulatory developments and translate these into actionable improvements.
• Build and maintain relationships with authorities, external advisors and partners.

What you will bring

Education and background

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience in law, international business, supply chain, customs and trade, compliance, or a related field.

Experience

• At least 8 years of professional experience in customs, export controls and international trade compliance.
• Demonstrable experience in building, maturing, or leading Trade Compliance programs in an international environment, including areas such as customs, export controls and sanctions.
• Experience with Internal Compliance Programs (ICPs), trade compliance governance, risk management and regulatory compliance frameworks.
• Proven leadership experience and preferably people manager experience within a multinational and matrix organization.

Skills & capabilities

• Ability to operate at both strategic and operational level, translating frameworks into practical implementation.
• Ability to simplify complex regulatory topics into clear, actionable guidance.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Confidence to engage and challenge senior stakeholders where needed.
• Pragmatic and solution-oriented mindset.
• Relevant certifications in customs, export controls or trade compliance are a plus.

What do we offer?

• 40 vacation days (20 statutory days and a flexible budget worth 20 days).
• Bonus component.
• Lease car allowance.
• Flexible working hours.
• A hybrid workplace (40% working from home and 60% in the office).
• A Health & Wellbeing budget worth €300 per calendar year.
• Commuting allowance, including full reimbursement of travel by public transport.
• Working from home allowance.
• Collective pension scheme and discount on additional health insurance.
• On-site company health centres with a gym, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
• Vanderlande Academy and training facilities to boost your skills.
• A variety of Vanderlande Network communities and initiatives.
• A great company restaurant and coffee bar with barista.

Why join Vanderlande?

This role offers a unique opportunity to lead and shape a global Trade Compliance team in a business where international trade is at the heart of how we operate. You will combine team leadership with end-to-end ownership of the Trade Compliance program, working at the intersection of compliance, operations and global supply chains.

With direct exposure to senior leadership and stakeholders across different functions and all regions, you will have the mandate to further professionalize and embed Trade Compliance as a core compliance area within Vanderlande.