Customs & Excise Manager

Job Description :

About us:

With over 200 brands sold in nearly 180 countries, Diageo is home to some of the world’s most iconic drinks. From Johnnie Walker and Guinness to Tanqueray, Smirnoff and Don Julio, we craft brands chosen for life’s moments - from everyday connections to landmark celebrations.

Bring your talent, curiosity and ambition, and strive for your personal best alongside people who challenge, support and learn from each other. Together, as one outstanding team, we keep learning, improving and raising the bar for our brands, our business and each other.

Join us and play your part in making life’s moments mean a little more.

About the function:

Finance at Diageo is about more than the numbers, it’s about shaping the decisions behind them.

From guiding investment to unlocking growth, this team plays a critical role in how we perform today and how we plan for tomorrow. You’ll work with data, insight and digital tools to influence strategy and help drive a business that operates at global scale.

It’s a fast-moving environment where no two days are the same, and where you’ll be supported to build your skills, grow your career and make a real impact.

About the role:

Global Tax & Role Context

Global Tax at Diageo aims to operate a world-class, effective, efficient and agile tax function, capable of adapting to an increasingly complex, connected and digital environment. The Customs & Excise (C&E) team in LAC is an integral part of Global Tax.

As a key member of the LAC C&E team, you will lead the Customs & Excise agenda across the LAC Supply footprint, with a primary focus on Mexico DME and Supply, home to Diageo’s tequila and mezcal categories across three production sites.

The role partners closely with Supply and other functions to manage risk, drive cost efficiency, improve and standardise processes and performance management, and create value through strong collaboration with markets and effective external relationships, including customs brokers, 3PLs, trade bodies and authorities.

You will be expected to act as a Customs & Excise technical expert for the markets and activities within your scope. This includes anticipating and interpreting regulatory changes, translating them into practical business actions, advising stakeholders, managing audits and disputes with authorities, and developing strong external networks and product category knowledge.

While the role has a core focus on Mexico DME and Supply, particularly Tequila, it supports a broader range of jurisdictions and projects across LAC. It therefore requires not only strong technical expertise but also an understanding of Diageo’s end-to-end value chain and how Customs & Excise decisions interact with our regional and global structures.

Internally, the role will have significant interaction with Supply, market Finance Directors, Corporate Relations, Legal, Procurement and other cross-functional teams, as well as close collaboration with other teams across Global Tax.

Purpose of the Role

Provide oversight, technical leadership and practical guidance to the Mexican Supply business in relation to imports, exports and related topics.

The role requires strong knowledge of topics including preferential origin, import licensing, free trade zones and special customs regimes, excise tax stamps, customs valuation and trade compliance/audit management, with particular expertise in Mexico, including the IMMEX, Drawback and Rule 2 schemes.

The role should also bring experience in designing and implementing procedures that are effective in practice, minimise Customs & Excise risks and identify opportunities for efficiency and value creation, including in markets where Diageo partners with third parties for manufacturing and distribution.

Top Accountabilities

• Lead the Customs & Excise agenda across the assigned LAC Supply footprint.

• Lead, develop and motivate two direct reports.

• Be accountable for control assurance (CARM controls) assigned to the function.

• Manage Customs & Excise audits, reviews and inquiries from government authorities.

• Support process simplification, data and automation initiatives, ensuring technology is used to improve effective end-to-end processes rather than simply automate existing manual activities.

• Promote continuous improvement and knowledge sharing across markets and functions.

• Partner with Corporate Relations in engagement with industry bodies and government agencies.

• Stay ahead of Customs & Excise regulatory developments and relevant external best practices.

• Proactively translate regulatory and business changes into clear, practical actions for stakeholders.

• Identify, assess and communicate Customs & Excise risks and opportunities, including their potential financial and operational impact.

• Participate in regional and global trade projects to create value, improve efficiency and manage potential exposures.

Leadership Responsibilities & Capabilities

• Demonstrate the Diageo Leadership Standard and contribute to a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing environment.

• Lead, develop and motivate two

  direct reports, supporting their technical and professional development.

• Build strong relationships with stakeholders across markets and functions, acting as a trusted business partner and providing clear direction and practical guidance.

• Develop a solution-oriented and end-to-end mindset, balancing compliance, risk management, business priorities and value creation.

• Engage and influence effectively across different levels of the organisation.

Key stakeholders include:

• Global Tax colleagues;

• Market and global Finance teams;

• Supply, Legal, Corporate Relations and Procurement;

• Other Global Functions;

• Customs brokers and 3PLs;

• Trade bodies, in partnership with Corporate Relations;

• External advisers and relevant authorities.

Qualifications & Experience Required

• 12+ years of experience in Customs & Excise, trade compliance or a related area within FMCG or a comparable industry, including line management experience.

• Excellent knowledge of Customs & Excise concepts relevant to the alcoholic beverages industry, including preferential origin, import licensing, free trade zones/special customs regimes, excise tax stamps and audit management.

• Extensive experience in Mexico Customs & Excise, including IMMEX, Drawback and Rule 2 schemes.

• Strong ability to assess risk and business opportunities in ambiguous situations, conduct robust analysis and translate complex issues into practical recommendations.

• Demonstrated ability to engage and align stakeholders, influence decision-making and gain support for the implementation of compliant, efficient and value-creating solutions.

• Knowledge of end-to-end supply chain and indirect tax processes is highly desirable.

• Curiosity and a continuous improvement mindset, with the ability to connect people, process, data and technology to solve business problems.

• Strong communication and influencing skills in Spanish and English, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels of the organisation.

Flexibility is key to our success. Talk to us about what flexibility means to you, so that you’re supported to manage your wellbeing and balance your priorities from day one.

Our purpose is crafting iconic drinks chosen for life’s moments. And it’s our people, with their different experiences, perspectives and talents, who make that possible.

We value diversity in its broadest sense and want everyone to feel they can belong, contribute and strive for their personal best. You’ll work alongside people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives - challenging, supporting and learning from one another as one outstanding team.

Together, we’re constantly learning and improving, combining the strength of our people, capabilities and iconic brands to raise the bar, grow and win. Wherever you join us, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute, make an impact and play your part in making life’s moments mean a little more.

Ready to bring your best? This could be your opportunity.

If you require a reasonable adjustment, please ensure that you capture this information when you submit your application.

Recruitment Scam Warning

Protecting candidates is very important to us. All communications regarding your application will come from an email address ending in @diageo.com. In our recruitment process, we'll never ask for money.

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