Senior Director & Head of Trade & Customs, Asia Pacific

Our client is one of Asia’s largest and most established commodities companies, with an extensive international network covering sourcing, trading, processing, logistics and distribution. The company manages complex physical commodity flows across Asia Pacific and major global markets, connecting producers, suppliers and customers through integrated cross-border supply chains.Operating across multiple commodities and jurisdictions, the company has built a strong reputation for commercial excellence, operational reliability and long-term partnerships. Its continued expansion is supported by disciplined risk management, robust governance and a commitment to conducting business responsibly and in accordance with international trade regulations.As trade rules, geopolitical risks and supply chains become increasingly complex, the company is strengthening its regional trade and customs capabilities to support sustainable growth, protect market access and enable faster, more efficient cross-border operations.Position OverviewThe Senior Director & Head of Trade & Customs, Asia Pacific will provide strategic and operational leadership for all trade compliance, customs governance and cross-border regulatory matters across the region.The role will develop a consistent Asia Pacific trade and customs framework while ensuring compliance with applicable import, export, customs, sanctions and export-control requirements. It will also help the business navigate increasingly complex tariffs, regulatory changes, geopolitical developments and supply-chain disruptions.Beyond compliance, the position will serve as a strategic business partner to the company’s trading, supply-chain and operational teams. The successful candidate will identify opportunities to improve duty efficiency, facilitate market access, optimise trade flows and support the company’s expansion into new products, supply routes and markets.This is a highly visible regional leadership position requiring sound commercial judgement, strong regulatory expertise and the ability to influence senior stakeholders across multiple countries and business units.Key ResponsibilitiesRegional Trade and Customs LeadershipDevelop and execute the Asia Pacific trade and customs strategy in alignment with the company’s commercial, operational and supply-chain priorities.Establish a consistent regional governance framework covering imports, exports, customs, sanctions, export controls and trade documentation.Lead and develop regional trade and customs teams while coordinating with country leadership and business units.Provide strategic advice to senior management on material trade risks, regulatory changes and market developments.Represent the trade and customs function in major commercial, operational and investment decisions.Customs and Trade ComplianceOversee tariff classification, customs valuation, country of origin, licensing, permits and import and export documentation.Ensure compliance with sanctions, embargoes, restricted-party requirements and applicable export-control regulations.Establish appropriate controls for commodity-specific regulatory requirements and high-risk trade flows.Maintain policies, procedures, approval authorities and record-retention standards across the region.Conduct risk assessments, compliance reviews and monitoring of transactions, third parties and trade routes.Ensure accurate, complete and timely customs declarations and regulatory submissions.Commercial and Operational EnablementPartner with commercial and operational teams to structure compliant and efficient cross-border transactions.Advise on the customs and trade implications of new markets, products, suppliers, customers and supply routes.Identify opportunities arising from free trade agreements, bonded arrangements, duty reliefs and other customs programmes.Improve customs efficiency, reduce unnecessary duties and costs, and minimise border delays and supply-chain disruption.Support acquisitions, joint ventures and major business transformations through trade compliance due diligence and integration.Balance regulatory requirements with commercial objectives without compromising the company’s compliance standards.Regulatory and Risk ManagementMonitor changes in tariffs, sanctions, export controls, trade remedies and other regional regulatory developments.Assess the impact of geopolitical events and government trade measures on commodities, customers and supply chains.Develop contingency plans for regulatory changes, sanctions exposure, border restrictions and trade disruptions.Lead the response to customs audits, investigations, enforcement actions, voluntary disclosures and disputes.Engage customs authorities, regulators, industry associations and external advisers when appropriate.Ensure that brokers, freight forwarders and other trade-service providers meet the company’s compliance and performance standards.Systems, Data and Capability BuildingStrengthen trade-compliance technology, screening tools, reporting systems and data governance.Develop regional dashboards and key risk and performance indicators for executive and board reporting.Drive greater automation and consistency across customs declarations, screening and trade-documentation processes.Improve the quality and accessibility of data required for customs valuation, classification, origin determination and regulatory reporting.Deliver practical training for employees involved in trading, logistics, procurement and cross-border operations.Build a strong culture of accountability, commercial awareness and trade compliance across the organisation.Candidate ProfileBachelor’s degree in Law, International Trade, Supply Chain, Finance, Business or a related discipline; a postgraduate or professional qualification is advantageous.Typically 15 or more years of relevant experience in customs, international trade, export controls or trade compliance.Significant regional leadership experience across multiple Asia Pacific jurisdictions.Experience within commodities, energy, natural resources, agriculture, chemicals, logistics or another highly regulated cross-border industry is strongly preferred.Strong knowledge of customs valuation, tariff classification, rules of origin, free trade agreements, sanctions and export controls.Demonstrated experience managing regulatory audits, investigations, disclosures and complex customs matters.Strong understanding of physical commodity flows, international supply chains and commercial trading environments.Proven ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into practical and commercially workable solutions.Experience leading regional teams and influencing senior stakeholders within a matrix organisation.Strong analytical skills and the ability to assess emerging regulatory and geopolitical risks.Excellent judgement, integrity, communication and stakeholder-management capabilities.Ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving environment involving regulatory uncertainty and geopolitical risk.