As a Customs Specialist at Kuehne+Nagel, your job is to optimise logistics to keep our global supply chains running smoothly. But the impact of your work goes beyond that. In fact, your expertise makes both special and ordinary moments possible for people around the world. For example, your work could ensure that a global product launch happens on time—such as ethically sourced beauty and bath products stocked at local stores for your loved one's valued self-care routine. It's import and export work, but it's also so much more than we imagine.
Kuehne+Nagel is building the next generation of customs technology. Following a significant organisational transformation that increased the need for in-house development, we are establishing a new senior leadership role to own engineering excellence across our global customs development portfolio. The Global Customs Development Head will set the technical direction for a growing, multi-geography team, drive the transition to an AI-augmented delivery model, and take direct accountability for transformational programmes. This is a high-visibility, high-impact position reporting directly to Global Customs Management.
As the Global Customs Development Head, you will lead the development organisation and shape the future of our customs technology platform. Your responsibilities will include:
- Implement Customs strategy as the senior development authority for Kuehne+Nagel's proprietary customs management platform, working with Product and Architecture stakeholders to translate strategic architecture into executable roadmaps.
- Lead the AI-augmented developer model defining and implementing the transition to AI-assisted code generation (e.g., AI coding assistants, LLM-based tooling), including change management, toolchain adoption, and governance to ensure safe, productive use at scale.
- Lead the development team, with a dual responsibility for working with Delivery Managers to guarantee the timely delivery of projects and working with Software Developers to secure solid solutions with efficient use of resources.
- Define and own engineering standards covering software architecture principles, code quality, testing practices, CI/CD pipelines, and security-by-design across the full customs development portfolio — desktop applications, integration/EDI, web portals, and AI/LLM components.
- Partner with the other stakeholders to align development capacity with strategic priorities and ensure coherent, end-to-end delivery across the customs technology organisation.
- A substantial career in the development domain (min. 12 years, with a trajectory from hands-on engineering through technical leadership to people management. You no longer write production code, but your technical judgement is grounded in real delivery experience.
- Proven track record across both client-side and server-side technologies. Candidates who have built or led delivery across desktop applications, server/backend services, and web-facing layers will be strongly preferred.
- Experience directly managing teams of 10–30+ engineers or leading through first-line managers in a structured, corporate setting. Ability to recruit, develop, and retain technical talent across geographies.
- Hands-on or leadership experience spanning multiple application paradigms, including desktop applications, integration/EDI, web portals, and emerging AI/LLM-powered components. Familiarity with enterprise software is a significant advantage.
- Either direct experience adopting AI-assisted development tools (e.g. GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, or similar LLM-based coding assistants) within an engineering team or demonstrated ability to lead technology adoption change programmes at scale. Candidates must be able to articulate a credible vision for how AI accelerates developer productivity without compromising quality or governance.
- Familiarity with AWS services and cloud-native development patterns is advantageous. Experience designing or governing cloud-hosted application landscapes is valued.
- Proven ability to operate effectively in a matrix structure, influencing across business units, geographies, and functional lines. Experience managing or coordinating with external technology vendors and offshore or nearshore delivery partners.
- Excellent written and spoken English is essential. The ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to senior business stakeholders and to inspire confidence in engineering teams is critical. Proficiency in additional European languages is an advantage.
This is a rare opportunity to own the development agenda for one of the world's leading logistics companies at a moment of genuine technological transformation. You will shape how an entire customs technology organisation builds software for the next decade, with the backing of senior leadership and a clear mandate. We offer:
- Individual career development planning with access to global mobility and leadership programmes.
- Flexible and mobile working arrangements to support work-life balance.
- Comprehensive benefits package including supplementary health insurance and additional well-being offerings.
- A diverse, international environment where initiative, collaboration, and continuous learning are rewarded.
Logistics shapes everyday life - from the goods we consume to the healthcare we rely on. At Kuehne+Nagel, your work goes beyond logistics; it enables both ordinary and special moments in the lives of people around the world.
As a global leader with a strong heritage and a vision to move the world forward, we offer a safe, stable environment where your career can make a real difference. Whether we help deliver life-saving medicines, develop sustainable transportation solutions or support our local communities, your career will contribute to more than you can imagine.
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