ABOUT THE ROLE

As Customs Compliance Manager, you will lead the compliance team responsible for regulatory monitoring, SOP development, pre-filing quality assurance, post-clearance audit readiness, and client advisory. This is a hands-on leadership role: you will directly perform compliance activities while also overseeing the Compliance Team and coordinating closely with the Declaration Team to ensure customs filings meet the highest standards of accuracy and legal compliance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Regulatory Monitoring & Legal Advisory

• Lead daily scanning and analysis of regulatory changes across customs, trade, tax legislation, and related regulations at national and sub-departmental levels

• Assess the operational impact of new and amended regulations on DGF's customs operations, client accounts, and declaration processes

• Provide timely, accurate legal advisory to MNC clients on regulatory changes, compliance obligations, and risk mitigation strategies

• Track enforcement trends and customs audit patterns across sub-departments to anticipate compliance risks

SOP Development & Process Governance

• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve Standard Operating Procedures for declaration processes, HS classification, FTA/C/O utilization, customs valuation, commodity regulations, and document management

• Design and implement compliance checklists, pre-filing verification protocols, and quality control workflows

Quality Assurance & Pre-Filing Review

• Develop pre-filing review frameworks to verify declaration accuracy: HS codes, customs valuation, commodity policy compliance, license/permit requirements, and FTA eligibility

• Establish and enforce a 2-layer verification process for all declarations

Post-Clearance Audit & Risk Management

• Conduct periodic internal audits of declaration accuracy and document filing, identifying patterns, root causes, and corrective actions

• Manage responses to customs queries, inspections, and post-clearance audit requests in coordination with relevant teams

Customs Solutions & Client Engagement

• Design customs solutions for complex client scenarios across multiple sectors

• Support business development with compliance advisory for prospective clients, regulatory impact assessments, and solution proposals

• Deliver training workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions for internal teams and client stakeholders on regulatory updates and compliance best practices

Team Oversight & Collaboration

• Oversee and mentor the Compliance Team, ensuring consistent quality and professional development

• Coordinate with the Declaration Manager to embed compliance checkpoints into the operational workflow

• Collaborate with IT on process automation initiatives and deployment of the customs legal intelligence tool

• Report to DGF Customs Head on compliance status, regulatory risks, and strategic recommendations

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience

• Minimum 7 years of hands-on experience in Vietnamese customs operations, with at least 3 years in a compliance, regulatory advisory, or quality assurance role

• Demonstrated experience working with complex commodity groups: high-tech electronics, chemicals, FMCG, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, or similar regulated products

• Proven track record of handling post-clearance audits, customs disputes, or regulatory investigations

• Experience serving multinational corporate accounts with high compliance expectations is advantageous

• Valid Customs Agent Certificate issued by the General Department of Vietnam Customs

Knowledge & Skills

• Deep, current knowledge of Vietnamese customs law and related regulations

• Strong command of HS classification principles, customs valuation methods, FTA/C/O rules of origin, commodity policy regulations

• Proficiency with VNACCS/VCIS electronic customs declaration systems

• Excellent analytical and legal-research skills — ability to interpret regulatory text and translate into operational guidance

• Proficient in English — ability to draft client advisories, SOPs, and compliance reports in English

• Strong communication skills — able to explain complex regulatory issues clearly to both operational staff and senior client stakeholders

• Strong automation skills and mindset are advantageous

Education

• Bachelor's degree in International Trade, Law, Customs, Logistics, Economics, or related field

• Advanced degree or professional certifications in trade compliance, customs law, or supply chain management are advantageous