Trade Compliance Manager

You know that in a high‑tech, engineering‑driven environment, trade compliance is not a checkbox, but a critical enabler. Ready to make that impact?

Apply today and take the lead in shaping a robust, future‑proof trade compliance framework within our high‑tech, international environment where you’ll work closely with our Europe and US sites!

As our Trade Compliance Manager, you play a critical role in enabling our high‑tech operations to trade globally in a safe, efficient and fully compliant way. You will lead and continuously improve our European trade compliance framework, ensuring adherence to EU and US export control laws, customs regulations and corporate policies.

Acting as the European subject matter expert for trade compliance, you partner closely with senior leadership, engineering, operations and supply chain teams across our European and US sites. In this role, you balance regulatory rigor with business pragmatism, helping the organization mitigate risk while supporting growth.

What will your responsibilities be?

• Act as the European trade compliance authority, advising senior leadership on export control, customs, licensing, valuation and dual‑use / military regulations

• Ensure full compliance with EU trade laws, national regulations and relevant US export control frameworks, including Regulation (EU) 2021/821

• Own export control & licensing: from license applications and management to end‑use reviews, technical data assessments and customer restrictions

• Drive customs excellence, covering classification, origin, valuation, FTAs and duty optimization opportunities

• Identify and mitigate compliance risks through audits, risk assessments, investigations and voluntary disclosures in close collaboration with Legal

• Translate regulation into practice by developing clear procedures, closing gaps and continuously improving the compliance framework

• Build compliance awareness by designing and delivering engaging trade compliance training across functions

• Use data to improve performance, defining KPIs and analyzing compliance metrics to reduce risk and cost while supporting business continuity

Why this role is unique

This is a newly created role within our European organization, offering a rare opportunity to truly shape and build the trade compliance function in Europe. The position is preferably based at our Almelo site in the Netherlands.

You will have significant freedom and ownership to structure your work, set priorities and further embed trade compliance into the business in a way that fits a complex, high‑tech manufacturing environment.

At the same time, you will not be working in isolation. You will collaborate closely with experienced colleagues in the United States, leveraging their expertise, best practices and guidance to strengthen European compliance activities. This balance of autonomy and global support allows you to make a real impact while continuing to develop professionally.

In this role, you will report directly to our Director Global Trade Compliance, Carla Felton, ensuring strong alignment with global strategy and direct visibility at senior leadership level.

What we offer you

You will be working on products which truly make a difference! We value freedom, reward entrepreneurship, and give you the space to turn your ideas into reality. You will be part of a global company that has preserved its typical down-to-earth culture.

In addition, we offer:

• Competitive salary: up to €8,750 gross per month (full-time), depending on experience and education

• Quarterly bonus: up to 5% of your quarterly salary

• Vacation: 40 days per year (27 vacation days + 13 additional days)

• Growth opportunities: through Benchmark Academy and tailored training programs

• Flexible working hours: manage your schedule as long as your work is delivered

• Collaboration & innovation: Lunch & Learn sessions and Pitch Discovery Sessions to share knowledge and work on new technologies

These terms and conditions apply when you are employed at our Almelo location or work in a hybrid model from within the Netherlands. If you work from another European location, the applicable local labor law and employment terms will apply.

What you bring to the table

A good working proficiency with the English language is required. Working proficiency in Dutch is not mandatory, but considered (highly) beneficial for effective collaboration at our site in Almelo, the Netherlands.

Furthermore we are looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, International Trade or a comparable discipline

• Minimum 5 years of hands‑on experience in trade compliance or import/export, including at least 2 years in a leadership or decision‑making role

• Demonstrated experience in a high‑tech, manufacturing or otherwise highly regulated environment

• Deep, practical expertise in EU export controls, customs regulations and relevant US export control frameworks

• Proven, hands‑on experience with Regulation (EU) 2021/821 (non‑negotiable)

• Experience with Military List / defense‑related controls and/or a formal export compliance certification (strongly preferred)

About us

Benchmark is a publicly traded company specializing in electronics manufacturing and services for OEMs. We develop products that improve safety, health, and convenience, from design to volume production.

Interested?

Shape the future with us, inspire others with innovative technologies, and create forward-thinking solutions. Apply now!

For more information, contact Nienke Bloemendaal at almelo.recruitment@bench.com.

Providing a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) is a standard part of the application process.

Recruitment agencies: unsolicited candidate submissions will not be accepted.