Customs Permit & Clearance Lead

Job Purpose

The Customs Permit & Clearance Lead is responsible for the development and management of Government Import Permits and Customs Clearance process for research chemicals, Biomaterials, live animals, radioactive materials, consumables imported into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia including samples and MTA shipments exported out to various global institutions by KAUST.

The Customs Permit & Clearance Lead manages collaborative relationships with the University Researchers, Procurement Management & Expediters, Supply Chain teams(Logistics, Chemical Warehouse Team) to ensure a streamlined approach is adopted for importing required items.

Major Accountabilities

• Initiate and maintain communication and good working relations Saudi Arabian Government Agencies and entities to enable development andprocessing of KAUST specific permits.
• Provide Leadership and ensure smooth and efficient operation of the import Permits, Customs Clearance and Chemical Clearance Team in undertakingclearance function and resolve complex clearance issues as they arise.
• Provide specialist permit and customs advice to the research andAcademic Procurement Team.

• Develop and document process flows for processing and clearing differentclasses of items into Saudi Arabia, identifying specific Government Agencies that need to be coordinated with Ministries for all the new requirement and Policy for importing chemicals to KAUST.
• Ensure prompt processing of all Government import permit relatedequipment and ministry liaison to avoid any disturbances to the laboratory chemical and consumables supply operation.
• Provide leadership and resolves complex issue that affect KAUST relationwith the government and impact university operations relating to import of material.

• Provide leadership and ensure the highest stand of services andconsultancy in custom clearing operation issues.
• Provide plane for coordinating with brokers, local vendors to determine thenature of problem and develop plans to take the necessary steps to resolve the problem.
• Provide all necessary assistance to the Customs Brokers requiring special coordinate with Customs authorities.
• Lead the resolution of customs duty payment, as required.
• Plan, identify and document routine action to be taken on all KAUSTmaterial held by customs and train the import permits, customs clearance teas in authorized process.
• Establish and be responsible for the team’s performance metrics.
• Proactively address and resolve issues that affect the team’s performance.
• Distribute tasks and work responsibilities among the team.

• Manage and report to Customs clearance Manager, Productivity monthly & annually permitting and customs clearance report.
• Renew special License for certain chemicals blanket permits.
• Coordinate with the researchers to transfer chemicals and Biological under Special Transfer agreement from different university overseas to import it KAUST.
• Ensure Permitting and Customs clearance Policies and Procedures areunderstood and complied as required by Government Agencies.

Competencies

• Organizational Understanding and Global Thinking: Ability tounderstand complex environments and work effectively in both formal and informal circumstances. Knowledgeable of Saudi and MiddleEast culture, business approaches and working relationships.
• Expertise and Technical Knowledge: Expert knowledge of chemical,biological product classifications and Government regulations / Import procedures is desirable as a technical skill.

• Interpersonal/Group Skills: Excellent interpersonal and communicationskills; and work with minimum Supervision and carefully follow general instructions. Able to have difficult discussions with other employees (performance improvement, criticism, etc.)
• Leadership: Strong influencing skill and ability to lead the teamtoward achieving strategic objectives. High standard of character and conduct.
• Analytical Skill/Problem Solving/Decision Making: strong problem-solving skill and techniques.
• Communication skills: Fluent in written and spoken English and Arabic.

Qualifications

•            Bachelor's in Degree in Business, Political Science, SupplyChain Management, logistics or Operation Management.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years applicable experience working with Saudi Arabian Government Organization at senior level.
• Other degree holders will be considered if they can demonstrate the required knowledge and competencies.