Full-Time
Customs Coordinator UK & Mainland
Driscoll's
1,001-5,000 employees
Global supplier of fresh berries
No salary listed
Maidstone, UK
In Person
 Legal & Compliance (1) |
|---|
- 3–5 years of experience in customs operations or trade compliance within an international environment.
- Solid exposure to UK customs processes and cross border European trade flows.
- Understanding of EU and UK import/export processes and customs documentation.
- Strong understanding of customs compliance and operational execution.
- Structured, process driven and audit oriented mindset.
- Ability to work with KPIs, dashboards, and performance reviews.
- High attention to detail and strong ownership mentality.
- Comfortable working in a cross functional, international environment.
- Strong communication skills in English (written and spoken).
- Act as the official Customs representative for the UK, serving as the primary point of contact with UK Customs Authorities and border agencies.
- Ensure full compliance with UK customs legislation, including post Brexit requirements and the UK EU Trade & Cooperation Agreement.
- Support the management of UK customs registrations, authorizations, and regulatory communications.
- Monitor regulatory changes impacting UK trade flows and support their operational implementation.
- Support the daily operation of the EMEA Customs Control Tower with specific responsibility for UK and Mainland trades.
- Monitor end to end customs milestones, identifying delays, risks, and execution deviations.
- Review and analyze customs performance KPIs related to clearance lead times, documentation accuracy and error rates, operational execution and exceptions, cost and duty impacts.
- Proactively escalate operational risks and support root cause analysis and corrective actions.
- Maintain structured customs records to ensure full traceability and audit readiness.
- Ensure customs documentation, data quality, and administrative processes for UK & Mainland trades are accurate, complete, and compliant; fully aligned with EMEA standard operating procedures.
- Support the standardization of customs documentation formats and mandatory data fields across flows.
- Perform regular internal customs audits across UK and Mainland operations.
- Identify compliance gaps, process inconsistencies, and execution risks.
- Support definition, implementation, and follow up of corrective action plans.
- Assist in preparation for external audits, authority controls, or inspections when required.
- Actively contribute to continuous improvement initiatives aimed at reducing customs related lead times, improving process consistency across borders, enhancing visibility and data reliability.
- Ensure cross-functional alignment with Compliance, Transportation, Operations, Planning, Finance and Control Tower teams.
- Support EMEA wide customs projects, including process redesign, digitalization initiatives, and system readiness programs.
- Bachelor’s degree in International Trade, Logistics, Supply Chain, Law, Economics, or a related field (preferred).
- Experience operating within a centralized or Control Tower type model is a strong advantage.
Driscoll’s is a global leader in growing and selling fresh berries, including strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, through hundreds of independent growers around the world. It combines long farming heritage with dedicated agronomists, breeders, sensory analysts, plant pathologists, and entomologists to grow high-quality berries on family farms. The company uses exclusive patented berry varieties developed through natural breeding methods (no GMOs), and its independent growers cultivate the seedlings and provide care so that the berries reach consumers as tasty, high-quality fruit. Compared with many competitors, Driscoll’s differentiates itself with its patented varieties, a strong emphasis on taste and quality, and a global, farmer-driven network that focuses on producing the finest berries under the Only the Finest Berries brand. The goal is to be the trusted source for the best-tasting fresh berries worldwide.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
null
Founded
1944
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Premium berries reached nearly $700 million last year, with Driscoll's about $400 million.
- Sweetest Batch expansion into Germany and the Middle East opens new premium markets.
- A 125,000-variety breeding pipeline increases odds of future flavor-led product winners.
What critics are saying
- Higher-flavor berries yield less biomass, keeping unit costs structurally elevated.
- Independent grower dependence exposes supply continuity to regional weather, labor, and compliance shocks.
- Pesticide activism can damage retailer trust and force defensive spending without resolving allegations.
What makes Driscoll's unique
- Driscoll's owns proprietary berry genetics and a century-old flavor-first breeding model.
- Its 900-plus independent growers support year-round supply across 20-plus countries.
- The company is scaling premium berries through Sweetest Batch and global leadership hires.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Paid Sick Leave
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
Flexible Work Hours
Remote Work Options
Hybrid Work Options
Wellness Program
Mental Health Support
Gym Membership
Phone/Internet Stipend
Home Office Stipend
Professional Development Budget
Conference Attendance Budget
Tuition Reimbursement
Professional Certification Support
Mentorship Program
Employee Assistance Program
Sabbatical Leave
Adoption Assistance
Family Planning Benefits
Fertility Treatment Support
Parental Leave
Relocation Assistance
Pet Insurance
Employee Discounts
Performance Bonus
Profit Sharing
Stock Options
Company Equity
401(k) Retirement Plan
Company News
Driscoll's names Wadih J. Khayat chief financial officer. Driscoll's, the world's leading fresh berry company, announced Wadih J. Khayat has joined the company as chief financial officer. Reporting to Driscoll's CEO Soren Bjorn, Khayat will oversee global finance, technology and strategy. He will work closely with regional and functional leaders to ensure disciplined capital deployment and the long-term success of the company's global network of independent growers. Khayat is a strategic finance executive and transformational change leader with deep global experience and a strong record of delivering results at scale. He joins Driscoll's from The Coca-Cola Co., where he spent more than two decades leading major finance organizations worldwide. Most recently, he served as senior vice president and CFO for Coca-Cola's Europe business, overseeing operations across 38 countries. He previously held senior leadership roles within Coca-Cola, including CFO for the Asia Pacific Group and CFO and head of strategy for Coca-Cola Global Ventures at the company's global headquarters in Atlanta. He began his career in audit at Ernst & Young. "Wadih joins Driscoll's at an important moment for our company," said Soren Bjorn, CEO of Driscoll's. "As we prepare to launch our next long-term strategic plan, his strategic financial expertise, disciplined execution and caring leadership will strengthen our financial foundation, support our global teams and position us for the future." "Driscoll's has a century-long legacy of exceptional berries, strong partnerships with growers and a deep commitment to the communities where we live and work," Khayat said. "That legacy drew me to the company and it's a responsibility I take seriously. I was especially struck by the strength of the brand, the trust it has earned globally and the unique network of independent growers and teams delivering berries every day. I'm excited about what lies ahead." Khayat was born in Lebanon and educated in France and speaks English, French and Arabic fluently. After relocating from Ireland, he is based at Driscoll's global headquarters in Watsonville, Calif... About Driscoll's Driscoll's is the global market leader of fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. With more than 100 years of farming heritage, Driscoll's is a pioneer of berry flavor innovation and the trusted consumer brand of Only the Finest Berries(TM). With more than 900 independent growers around the world, Driscoll's develops exclusive patented berry varieties using only traditional breeding methods that focus on growing great-tasting berries. A dedicated team of agronomists, breeders, sensory analysts, plant pathologists and entomologists help grow baby seedlings that are then grown on local family farms. Driscoll's berries are grown in more than 20 countries and are available for consumers in more than 40 countries across North America, Australia, Europe and China.
Driscoll's, the world's leading fresh berry company, has appointed Wadih J. Khayat as chief financial officer. Khayat will oversee global finance, technology and strategy, reporting to CEO Soren Bjorn. Khayat joins from The Coca-Cola Company, where he spent over two decades in senior finance roles. Most recently, he served as senior vice president and CFO for Coca-Cola's Europe business, managing operations across 38 countries. He previously held positions including CFO for the Asia Pacific Group and CFO for Coca-Cola Global Ventures. Based at Driscoll's headquarters in Watsonville, California, Khayat will work with regional leaders to support the company's network of independent growers and guide strategic planning. Driscoll's operates in over 20 countries with more than 900 independent growers worldwide.
Driscoll's launches The Berry Patch Book Club, offering families 4 free digital children's books. March 24, 2026 | 2 min to read WATSONVILLE, Calif. - Driscoll's, the world's leading fresh berry company, launched The Berry Patch Book Club, a free children's storytelling platform that extends the brand's focus on shared moments from the family table into story time. The inaugural collection of four original books for early readers ages 5-6 is available now as free digital downloads on Driscolls.com. Building on the success of its first children's book, "A Sofia Special" (2023), available with a free read-along video, The Berry Patch Book Club expands into a growing library of original stories. Each story explores themes of imagination, friendship, generosity and discovery, reflecting the everyday moments families share. The inaugural collection includes: * "Me & Spot" celebrates the power of imagination, transforming a simple stain into a magical adventure that shows how creativity can turn everyday moments into extraordinary experiences * "The Last Bee" highlights the importance of teamwork and cooperation, demonstrating how even the smallest helpers need others to bring real sweetness to life * "Clara's Berries" explores themes of generosity and kindness, showing how life can be sweeter when shared with others * "The Lost Berries" follows an unexpected adventure that reframes feelings of loss into opportunities to create beautiful new friendships "The Berry Patch Book Club is another way Driscoll's brings families together," said Ashley Capurro, senior manager of digital marketing at Driscoll's. "These four stories celebrate the joy found in ordinary moments, whether that's reading together, using imagination, or sharing delicious berries. Each book reinforces our belief that life is sweeter when shared with someone special." The Berry Patch Book Club builds on Driscoll's focus on the moments that bring families together, at the breakfast table, in the kitchen and at bedtime. Through original stories rooted in imagination and togetherness, the company is creating a collection families can return to over time. Future releases will continue to grow the collection with new stories centered on family, friendship, imagination and the small moments that make life sweeter. About Driscoll's Driscoll's is the global market leader of fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. With more than 100 years of farming heritage, Driscoll's is a pioneer of berry flavor innovation and the trusted consumer brand of Only the Finest Berries(TM). With more than 900 independent growers around the world, Driscoll's develops exclusive patented berry varieties using only traditional breeding methods that focus on growing great-tasting berries. A dedicated team of agronomists, breeders, sensory analysts, plant pathologists and entomologists help grow baby seedlings that are then grown on local family farms. Driscoll's berries are grown in more than 20 countries and are available for consumers in more than 40 countries across North America, Australia, Europe and China.
In addition to winning Good Housekeeping Snack Awards in 2024 and 2025, Driscoll's has been recognized as a Fast Company Most Innovative Company and received other accolades for the flavor innovation of its Sweetest Batch berries.
WATSONVILLE, CA: Driscoll's, a California-based seller of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, has appointed Frances Dillard as its first global chief communications officer.