About Vanderlande
Vanderlande is a leading global partner in future-proof logistics process automation for distribution centers, airports, and the parcel market. Our comprehensive portfolio of integrated solutions – innovative systems, intelligent software, and life-cycle services – enables the delivery of fast, reliable, and efficient automation technology.
As a subsidiary of Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO), we combine entrepreneurial engineering with a strong focus on operational excellence, reliability, and long‑term partnerships with our customers.
Why this role?
As Vanderlande continues to grow and further integrate its global operations, we are strengthening how we manage compliance, risk, and responsible business conduct across the organization. As part of this broader effort, we are strengthening our global Compliance Management System, which brings together all core compliance domains in a consistent and risk‑based way.
Trade Compliance is one of these core domains and plays a critical role in this. Our business operates across borders, supply chains, and regulatory environments where customs, export controls and sanctions directly impact how we operate, deliver and grow.
Within Trade Compliance, this means further developing and embedding a robust Internal Compliance Program (ICP), covering customs, export controls and sanctions. The current setup provides an operational foundation, with a strong opportunity to further align, standardize and mature this Trade Compliance ICP and embed it effectively within our broader Compliance Management System.
What you will do
As Head of Global Trade Compliance, you will lead and further build Vanderlande’s global trade compliance function as an integral part of our Compliance, Risk & Ethics organization. You will report directly to the Director Ethics, Risk & Compliance, and be responsible for shaping and delivering a robust, future fit global trade compliance program.
You will lead a globally distributed team of three trade compliance professionals, with the opportunity to further develop the team’s capabilities and ways of working over time.
The scope covers all global trade compliance topics, including customs, export controls and sanctions, as well as sanctions screening frameworks and their application across the organization. You will further develop, implement, and continuously improve Vanderlande’s Trade Compliance Internal Compliance Program, and ensure its integration into the wider Compliance Management System.
This is a leadership role with a strong transformation component, requiring stakeholder engagement across functions, regions and management levels to further embed Trade Compliance in the way Vanderlande operates.
Key responsibilities
Lead, coach and develop the global trade compliance team, creating a strong and engaged team across regions.
Further develop the team structure, ways of working and capabilities to support the continued growth and maturity of Vanderlande's global Trade Compliance program.
Further develop, implement and continuously improve Vanderlande’s Trade Compliance Internal Compliance Program, including policies, standards, controls and monitoring mechanisms.
Ensure full integration of trade compliance and customs into Vanderlande’s global Compliance Management System, including risk assessments, reporting and governance.
Define clear ownership, escalation routes and decision-making frameworks across regions and functions.
Overseeing global customs operations, ensuring compliance with applicable customs and international trade laws and regulations across Vanderlande’s markets.
Broker management – acting as the primary point of contact for third-party customs brokers, and monitoring their performance.
Own and further develop the global framework for customs, export controls and sanctions.
Ensure consistency in approach while enabling effective local implementation.
Translate legal/regulatory requirements into practical, risk-based processes and controls.
Design, implement and oversee global sanctions screening frameworks, including tooling, escalation logic, and documentation standards.
Ensure sanctions screening is effectively embedded in business processes such as business partner onboarding, customer acceptance and order execution.
Work with the Ethics, Risk & Compliance team and other functions to explore synergies for, or alignment, other (related) processes, such as anti-corruption due diligence and integrity risk assessments.
Design and optimize procedures, controls and manuals for trade compliance (including customs, classification and valuation topics).
Strengthen data quality, documentation standards and audit readiness.
Identify improvement areas and implement pragmatic, scalable solutions.
Work closely with key functions and team such as Procurement, Sales, Operations, Routing & Forwarding, Engineering, Finance, Tax, Legal and regional teams.
Proactively advise senior management on trade-related risks and strategic decisions.
Act as the central point of contact for trade compliance across Vanderlande, ensuring clear governance, ownership and escalation where needed.
Collaborate with Compliance and dedicated Trade Compliance teams across Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO), contributing to knowledge sharing, alignment of approaches and continuous improvement of global standards.
Drive global training and awareness on trade compliance topics.
Monitor regulatory developments and translate these into actionable improvements.
Build and maintain relationships with authorities, external advisors and partners.
What you will bring
Master’s degree or equivalent experience in law, international business, supply chain, customs and trade, compliance, or a related field.
At least 8 years of professional experience in customs, export controls and international trade compliance.
Demonstrable experience in building, maturing, or leading Trade Compliance programs in an international environment, including areas such as customs, export controls and sanctions.
Experience with Internal Compliance Programs (ICPs), trade compliance governance, risk management and regulatory compliance frameworks.
Proven leadership experience and preferably people manager experience within a multinational and matrix organization.
Ability to operate at both strategic and operational level, translating frameworks into practical implementation.
Ability to simplify complex regulatory topics into clear, actionable guidance.
Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
Confidence to engage and challenge senior stakeholders where needed.
Pragmatic and solution-oriented mindset.
Relevant certifications in customs, export controls or trade compliance are a plus.
What do we offer?
This position offers a competitive salary range of € 8.300 to € 9.900 per month (excluding 8% holiday allowance), depending on years of experience.
On top of your fixed salary you’ll receive the following secondary benefits:
40 vacation days (20 statutory days and a flexible budget worth 20 days).
Bonus component
Lease Car (Allowance)
Flexible working hours.
A hybrid workplace (40% working from home and 60% in the office).
A Health & Wellbeing budget worth €300,- per calendar year.
Commuting allowance, including full reimbursement of travel by public transport.
Working from home allowance.
Collective pension scheme and discount on additional health insurance.
On-site company health centres with a gym, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
Vanderlande Academy and training facilities to boost your skills.
A variety in Vanderlande Network communities and initiatives.
And a great company restaurant and coffee bar with barista.
Why join Vanderlande?
This role offers a unique opportunity to lead and shape a global Trade Compliance team in a business where international trade is at the heart of how we operate. You will combine team leadership with end-to-end ownership of the Trade Compliance program, working at the intersection of compliance, operations and global supply chains.
With direct exposure to senior leadership and stakeholders across different functions and all regions, you will have the mandate to further professionalize and embed Trade Compliance as a core compliance area within Vanderlande.
Contact
If this opportunity aligns with your expertise and ambitions, we invite you to apply by submitting your CV and cover letter. For further information, please contact Carlijn Kneepkens (Recruiter) at [email protected].
Diversity & Inclusion
Vanderlande embraces diversity in all its forms. We welcome qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability status.
Skills Required
- Master's degree or equivalent experience in law, international business, supply chain, customs and trade, compliance, or related field.
- At least 8 years of professional experience in customs, export controls and international trade compliance.
- Demonstrable experience building, maturing, or leading Trade Compliance programs in an international environment (customs, export controls, sanctions).
- Experience with Internal Compliance Programs (ICPs), trade compliance governance, risk management and regulatory compliance frameworks.
- Proven leadership experience and people management experience within a multinational and matrix organization.
- Ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels and translate frameworks into practical implementation.
- Strong stakeholder management, influencing skills, and confidence to engage senior stakeholders.
- Ability to simplify complex regulatory topics into clear, actionable guidance and drive training and awareness.
- Relevant certifications in customs, export controls or trade compliance.
Vanderlande Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Vanderlande and has not been reviewed or approved by Vanderlande.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as comprehensive, with day‑one eligibility in many U.S. roles and employer‑paid protections that reduce out‑of‑pocket exposure. Feedback suggests medical, dental, and vision are a clear strength.
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Retirement Support — Retirement offerings include a 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting in the U.S. Feedback suggests this forms a solid pillar of the total rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off, sick leave, and paid holidays are characterized as generous relative to peers. Compressed workweek options in some roles further support time away and recovery.
Vanderlande Insights
What We Do
Vanderlande is the global market leader for future-proof logistic process automation at airports. The company is also a leading supplier of process automation solutions for warehouses and in the parcel market. Vanderlande’s baggage handling systems are capable of moving over 4 billion pieces of baggage around the world per year. Its systems are active in more than 600 airports including 12 of the world’s top 20. More than 52 million parcels are sorted by its systems every day, which have been installed for the world’s leading parcel companies. In addition, many of the largest global e-commerce players and retailers have confidence in Vanderlande’s efficient and reliable solutions. The company focuses on the optimisation of its customers’ business processes and competitive positions. Through close cooperation, it strives for the improvement of their operational activities and the expansion of their logistical achievements. Vanderlande’s extensive portfolio of integrated solutions – innovative systems, intelligent software and life-cycle services – results in the realisation of fast, reliable and efficient automation technology. Established in 1949, Vanderlande has more than 7,500 employees, all committed to moving its customers’ businesses forward at diverse locations on every continent. With a consistently increasing turnover of 1.8 billion euros, it has established a global reputation over the past seven decades as a highly reliable partner for future-proof logistic process automation. Vanderlande was acquired in 2017 by Toyota Industries Corporation, which will help it to continue its sustainable profitable growth. The two companies have a strong strategic match, and the synergies include cross-selling, product innovations, and research and development.
