Global Head Customs & Trade Compliance (60%)

This is a temporary contractor opportunity at Novartis

Novartis touches the lives of a tenth of the world’s population. Every role here, regardless of contract type, makes an impact on human life!

This role is offered through Magnit Global, who, if selected, will be your employer. If your services are retained, you will be assigned to provide services to Novartis as the end client. This is not an offer of employment with Novartis. If you are selected for this Temporary/External opportunity, you will not be an employee of Novartis and will not be eligible for any Novartis employee benefits or incentives.

Ready to work with/through Magnit at Novartis? Please read on…

Job Purpose:

The Global Head Customs & Trade Compliance (CTC) is accountable for the global strategy, guidelines and policies of the Customs & Trade Compliance Function. He designs the core finance and supply chain processes related to Customs & Trade Compliance planning, risk management, issue resolution and audit management. The Global Head works in close collaboration with the regional and local Customs & Trade Compliance teams and the Supply Chain operations teams at all levels to ensure guidelines and policies are implemented across the Novartis organization and must actively monitor the global performance and delivery of the Novartis Customs & Trade Compliance obligations. This role is accountable for managing the Customs & Trade Compliance implications of Novartis’ global strategic projects in close alignment with Fundsflow, Indirect Tax and Transfer Pricing.

Major Accountabilities:

1. Leading CTC

• Partners with stakeholders at the global, regional and local level to ensure high quality, timely and compliant CTC services
• Ensures cross divisional engagement and alignment for decisions impacting CTC
• Develops and rolls-out the Global CTC Strategy, Policies and internal standards safeguarding Novartis’ assets and interests
• Sets direction and acts as the overall subject matter expert for strategic planning, CTC advice, risk management, issue resolution and audit management
• Is closely linked with the global CTC community to detect new trends, potential challenges and opportunities for Novartis and represents Novartis and Novartis’ interests in trade organizations.

2. Compliance & Risk

• Ensures that global guidelines and policies are implemented and strictly followed by internal associates and externals (customs brokers, consultants etc.) in CTC relevant transactions
• Ensures adherence of Novartis to embargoes and other trade restrictions through a design of appropriate processes and controls in all Novartis’ activities
• Monitors changes to rules and regulations, defining the guidelines and policies for adaptation, working in close collaboration with divisional, regional and country business leaders, the regional and country CTC organization, and the Global Indirect Tax team, Fundsflow and Transfer Pricing
• Designs process and tools incl. data management and ERP functionality to effectively and efficiently implement standards and controls in day-to-day operations. Provide a framework/operating model for compliance for the countries in the form of tools and templates
• Ensures an effective and aligned CTC control framework is established and rolled out across the Novartis organization, controls are executed and issues and audit points are monitored and action plans established

3. Planning & Structuring

• Establishes a global stakeholder network to ensure strategic initiatives and changes in business are identified and the CTC implications are reviewed for proper treatment
• Advice global functions such as NTO, GDD and NIBR on CTC related questions for strategic projects, audits, litigations aligned with Fundsflow, Indirect Tax and Transfer Pricing
• Design and monitor new CTC concepts (e.g. for new business set-ups) in close collaboration with Fundsflow, Global Head IDT and Global Head of Transfer Pricing
• Identify needs for CTC rulings, lead preparation of supporting documents, support negotiations with customs authorities, coordinate implementation, and agreed terms.
• Identify and monitor custom duty liabilities and leakages, propose suitable actions and implement them in close collaboration with the Fundsflow, Indirect Tax and Transfer Pricing team
• Define and implement vendor strategy for service providers e.g. customs brokers

4. People & Self-Development

• Design and implement CTC governance structure with clear accountabilities and responsibilities, for global, regional and local teams. Ensure each country has appointed/designated a CTC responsible manager.
• Role model a leadership style which is inclusive, proactive, respectful, change agile, innovation/creativity and results driven with a strong customer service focus
• Act as center of competence and knowledge sharing center for all matters related to CTC, including provision of regular updates to the members of Novartis CTC network.
• Build and develop talent, and drive a continuous improvement mindset in the organization
• Train the CTC organization in technical matters and enhance professional development plans.
• Ensure staffing of the overall Novartis CTC organization with required expertise (e.g. technical, business partnering, data science, ...)

Requirements:

• Master degree in Economics or Law with additional qualifications in trade compliance
• English, German or other Swiss national language
• Preferably successful career in big 4 firm and/or reputable legal firm in customs and trade matters and in-house customs and trade compliance management role (8 years or more)
• Expert in Customs & Trade Compliance including planning and controversy experience
• Solid ERP (SAP) know-how, ability to communicate with IT department
• Leadership, strong communication and social skills, ability to challenge
• Conceptional thinking
• Excellent informal manager, influencer and negotiator
• Ability to work in cross functional teams, business mindset

Workload: 60% (24 hours per week)

Role type: Onsite

Required start date: October 2027

Contract: 6 months

Why Novartis:

Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together?

EEO Statement:

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Accommodation:

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Magnit at [email protected].