Customs Clearance, Compliance, and Delivery Operations
Oversee and coordinate the full lifecycle of importation, from pre-arrival documentation to final delivery of goods.
Ensure accurate preparation, verification, and submission of all import documentation, including Bills of Lading, Air Waybills, invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, import permits, tax exemption certificates, and regulatory approvals.
Ensure early and prompt processing of IDEC with the Federal Ministry of Finance, liaising with Federal Ministry of Health
Liaise with customs authorities, port health services, and other regulatory bodies to facilitate timely cargo clearance and release.
Coordinate inland transportation and distribution of cleared goods to central medical stores, regional warehouses, laboratories, and health facilities.
Develop and manage end-to-end shipment tracking, delivery schedules, and distribution plans to ensure timely and safe delivery.
Ensure compliance with customs laws, import regulations, donor requirements, and Good Distribution Practices (GDP) across all clearance and transport activities.
Ensure cold chain integrity for temperature-sensitive commodities throughout storage and transportation.
Monitor shipment progress from arrival to final delivery, proactively resolving delays, clearance bottlenecks, and delivery disruptions.
Minimize demurrage, detention, storage charges, and other avoidable logistics costs through proactive planning and coordination.
Track proof of delivery and ensure confirmation of receipts from all destination points.
Stakeholder and Vendor Coordination
Serve as the primary coordination point for suppliers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, transporters, regulatory agencies, warehouse teams, and implementing partners.
Coordinate with procurement teams to ensure all documentation and shipment requirements are complete prior to cargo arrival.
Supervise and evaluate third-party logistics providers, customs agents, and transport contractors against agreed service levels and KPIs.
Maintain effective working relationships with customs authorities and relevant regulatory agencies to support efficient clearance processes.
Engage with stakeholders involved in pharmaceutical, medical device, and laboratory commodity regulation and distribution.
Risk, Compliance, and Financial Oversight
Ensure all import and distribution activities comply with national regulations, donor requirements, and organizational policies.
Monitor changes in customs and import regulations and advise management on operational and compliance implications.
Identify logistics, customs, and distribution risks and implement mitigation strategies to prevent delays or losses.
Review, validate, and approve invoices from customs agents, freight forwarders, clearing agents, and transport providers.
Monitor logistics expenditures against approved budgets and identify cost optimization opportunities without compromising service quality or compliance.
Performance Monitoring and Reporting
Track and analyze key performance indicators, including customs clearance lead time, delivery turnaround time, on-time delivery rate, demurrage and detention costs, shipment integrity, and compliance rates.
Prepare regular performance reports, dashboards, and operational updates for management and stakeholders.
Conduct root-cause analysis of delays, clearance failures, or delivery inefficiencies and implement corrective and preventive actions.
Team Leadership and Process Improvement
Supervise customs clearance officers, logistics coordinators, and transport personnel.
Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance management to strengthen team capacity and accountability.
Develop, implement, and continuously improve standard operating procedures for customs clearance, transportation, and delivery operations.
Promote a culture of compliance, efficiency, safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree/HND and 6+ years’ experience, Master''s and 4+ years’ experience, or Doctorate and 2+ years’ experience.
Professional certifications (CILT, CIPS, CSCMP, PMP, or customs/logistics certifications) are desirable
7–10 years of progressive experience in customs clearance, logistics, freight forwarding, or health commodity supply chain management.
At least 3 years in a supervisory or managerial role.
Experience managing pharmaceutical, laboratory, vaccine, or medical commodity imports.
Experience in donor-funded programs (e.g., Global Fund, USAID, PEPFAR, UNICEF, WHO, World Bank) is an advantage
Customs and import/export regulations
IDEC processing procedures
Pharmaceutical and medical logistics
Cold chain management
International freight and transport operations
Warehouse and distribution systems
Incoterms
Good Distribution Practices (GDP)
Health commodity supply chain systems
Pharmaceutical import regulatory requirements
Strong stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills
Excellent planning, coordination, and organizational ability
Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
Vendor, contract, and performance management
Risk identification and mitigation
Budget monitoring and cost control
Data analysis and reporting
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure
High integrity and ethical standards
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics)