On the move since 1866

We have been on the move since 1866, in continuous dialogue with our surroundings. Constant movement and adaptation to change is the story of DFDS. Today, our ability to adjust course appears more vital than ever. To make sure we can stay ahead, we are investing vastly in digital solutions and DFDS is advancing technologies to transform an entire industry, e.g. autonomous transport in collaboration with Volvo. Read more here: https://www.DFDS.com/en/about/insights/newsletters/volvo-presents-autonomous-transport-solution-with-DFDS

We commit to diversity and inclusion

In DFDS, we aspire to continue pushing for the inclusion of gender, backgrounds and thinking styles among our work culture. Among many different initiatives, our ambition is to have at least 30% women in all organisational levels and we are working hard to change the perception of our industry, which historically has been non-diverse. Read more here: https://155years.DFDS.com/inclusion

We care for the environment

We are on a transformation journey towards reducing our carbon footprint through incremental changes to daily operations as well as longer term initiatives that reduce emissions. Together with a diverse set of collaborators, DFDS is committed to exploring tomorrow’s solutions today. Projects such as our green vessels, electric trucks, and innovative alternative fuelling demonstrate that a green course is possible for our industry. https://155years.DFDS.com/green

DFDS successfully expanded its customs activities during 2021 and has set an ambitious target for future growth. To drive that growth, we now seek an experienced and commercially driven executive for the newly-established position as Head of Customs.

In the position as Head of Customs, you will play a leading role in building a solid customs offering across more than 20 European DFDS locations. You will be responsible for setting the overall strategy for the customs business, investigating new development opportunities, such as geographical expansion or new product offerings, and organizing our customs operations through the development of business plans and management of processes. You will have a small team and you will work closely with the people dedicated to growing customs across DFDS to drive the advancement of our custom solutions.

You will create value through the optimisation of processes and systems and expansion of the network and service offering which is expected to result in the growth of the customer portfolio in all locations. Further, you will be responsible for building a solid bridge between customers, corporate functions including operational customs departments and commercial personnel, business units, and executive management to. ensure the strategy is fully supported and successful

The role provides great opportunities for making a significant impact on DFDS now and in the future by overseeing a relatively new business area which has seen substantial and rapid growth in the past year and is set to grow further in 2022. Beyond the possibility to make your own mark on DFDS, being a key part of developing our customs offering will give you strong opportunities for personal development and acquisition of new skills.

Your location is flexible, but you must expect to travel. You will report to our Head of Logistics EVP Niklas Andersson.

Areas of responsibility

The purpose of this role is twofold:

In the near-term, the objective is to commercially grow our customs offering across DFDS to both existing and new customers. With a particular focus on the UK, the Head of Customs role will be responsible for developing clear, short-term business plans to identify key growth areas and be the internal go-to for custom related inquires.

In the longer-term, the purpose is to reach the broader strategic goal of DFDS to establish an efficient, customer-centred, and strong customs offering. This for instance entails ensuring clear customs processes, developing commercial customs knowledge, and integrating customs as part of the larger DFDS network’s solutions across all locations; tasks that will all be at the core of the Head of Customs role.

Key tasks entail:

• Coordination of regional sales efforts focusing on customs with key focus on integrating customs as part of a broader DFDS offering
• Development of location-specific business plans with clear targets/ goals
• Prioritization of customs related commercial- and operational activities
• Alignment of operational customs processes across DFDS
• Advancement of commercial customs knowledge
• Tracking and reporting of performance to executive management
• Control of organizational capabilities, resources, and planning within customs
• Establishment of customs expert network to support across locations
• Engagement with and coordination of all relevant internal stakeholders
• Support of and collaboration with local customs departments on strategic direction

Your Ideal Profile

DFDS are looking for an experienced leader, with relevant Logistics experience, who can bring a commercial mindset in terms of customs to DFDS and convert this mindset to tangible opportunities and grow them successfully. Prior experience with customs is an advantage but not a pre-requisite; most importantly, the ideal candidate has commercial drive and a desire to lead a high-growth business area in the right direction.

The candidate must be a great customer advocate driving the customer’s needs, without losing sight of DFDS needs, together with the business units and corporate functions. Further, the candidate should drive profitable business from current and future customers and markets and have an operational attention, understanding how to optimally produce and perform customs processes across locations and customers.

Requirements

To be able to succeed in this role we believe that the following requirements are crucial for you as a candidate:

• Hands-on experience with sales of Logistics solutions. Not necessarily sales of customs, however, this would be an advantage.
• Knowledgeable in process analysis with an eye for performance optimization and combination of commercial and operational focuses
• Commercial excellence skills with focus on sales growth of existing products and establishment of new revenue streams and operational optimization
• Experience with leading and working in a team fostering a collaborative and value-based mentality
• Ability to work in complex international organizations, possibly with companies that have carried out customs activities either internally or for third-party customers
• Working effectively with differences in national cultures, personality styles, and professions while interacting with executive decisionmakers
• Show a genuine passion for diversity, and preferably having a broad and diverse personal and professional background
• Having excellent interpersonal, influencing and communication skills
• Team player, who listens well and is also able to work independently
• Analytical, well organized, and good attention to detail
• Drive for continuously improving own performance and DFDS performance and a “can do” attitude
• Good communication skills in English

Apply now!

If you find the job interesting and you fulfil the expectations, we would like to hear from you! Please submit your CV and application in English.

For clarifying questions about the position, please feel free to contact Niklas Andersson at [email protected].

The position will be filled as soon as possible.

About Us

DFDS was founded in 1866, is headquartered in Copenhagen and listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen. We provide ferry and logistics services in Europe and Turkey, generating annual revenues in 2020 of 14,0 DKK bn. More than 10,000 employees (incl. HSF) are located on ferries and in offices across 23 countries.

To over 10,000 freight customers, we deliver high reliability through ferry & port terminal services and transport & logistics solutions. And for five million passengers, we provide safe overnight and short sea ferry services. We strive for continuous improvement of customer service, operational efficiency, development of digital capabilities, and for leveraging the strength of our European platform through continuous acquisitions. In addition, we are determined to contribute to solving the environmental challenges of our industry and we have therefore amongst others declared a launch of our first green vessel by 2025.