A fantastic opportunity for a Trade Compliance Lead has arisen to join a leading global defence and high‑technology organisation. This role will be based in Seville, Spain, taking ownership of export and trade compliance activities for a major European site, with wider support across additional European locations as required.
You'll be embedded within a specialist international trade compliance function, acting as the site lead for export compliance and a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders across engineering, contracts, business development and operations.
Role - Trade Compliance Lead
Location - Seville, Spain (hybrid working, 3 days onsite per week)
Type - Permanent position
Salary - €50,000- €60,000 + benefits
Location - Seville, Spain (hybrid working, 3 days onsite per week)
Type - Permanent position
Salary - €50,000- €60,000 + benefits
Key responsibilities of the Trade Compliance Lead / Trade Compliance Manager role include (but are not limited to):
- Lead the development, implementation and ongoing management of export and trade compliance processes, tools and training at a major Spanish site.
- Ensure full compliance with Spanish, EU and US export control laws and regulations, including export licensing requirements.
- Act as the primary trade compliance point of contact for site leadership and operational teams.
- Serve as a subject matter expert on EU, Spanish and US export regulations, providing clear guidance to non‑US and non‑technical stakeholders.
- Develop, enhance and maintain trade compliance policies, procedures and work instructions aligned to corporate standards.
- Implement standardised training programmes to support compliance awareness and capability across the business.
- Support internal and external audits, investigations and corrective action activities.
- Lead trade compliance‑related process improvement initiatives and support the development of KPIs and compliance metrics.
- Act as a key liaison across Contracts, Business Development, Engineering, HR and Operations.
- Coordinate closely with customs teams on HS classification, valuation, country of origin, carnets and other customs‑related matters.
- Ensure compliant processing of international shipments and preparation of all required export documentation.
- Proactively identify and mitigate trade compliance risks while supporting wider business objectives.
Key skills and experience required for the Trade Compliance Lead / Trade Compliance Manager role include (but are not limited to):
- Proven experience in international trade compliance or export control, ideally within defence, aerospace or high‑technology environments.
- Strong working knowledge of Spanish, EU and US export regulations, including ITAR, EAR, EU Dual Use and multilateral control regimes.
- Experience dealing with Spanish military programmes and EU Dual Use products.
- Solid understanding of customs compliance, including HS classification, valuation, country of origin and carnets.
- Experience supporting audits, investigations and compliance improvement initiatives.
- Strong leadership capability with experience influencing senior stakeholders and leading cross‑functional activity.
- High level of commercial and business acumen, able to balance compliance with operational delivery.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into practical guidance.
- Comfortable working under pressure in a fast‑paced, regulated environment.
To apply for this Trade Compliance Lead / Trade Compliance Manager / Export Compliance Lead / International Trade Compliance Manager / Global Trade Compliance Lead role, candidates must be eligible to live and work in Spain and meet export control and security requirements.
