Inhouse International Trade Lawyer – Trade Compliance, Sanctions & Export Control

Inhouse International Trade Lawyer – Trade Compliance, Sanctions & Export Control

Reporting Line: Group General Counsel

Location: TBD (Corporate HQ / hybrid)

Seniority: 5–7 years of experience

The Context

The Group operates internationally as a manufacturer of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) in the High-Mix Low-Volume segment and serves the Aerospace & Defence, MedTech and High-Performance Electronics markets.

In a highly regulated international trade environment, the Legal & Compliance function plays a critical role in supporting the Group’s global operations, ensuring that cross-border activities are conducted in compliance with applicable export control, sanctions, customs and trade regulations across jurisdictions.

The Role

The Inhouse International Trade Lawyer operates in a complex and evolving international regulatory landscape and serves as the internal reference point for international trade law within the Group.

The role combines deep technical expertise in trade compliance with a significant commercial and contractual dimension , and is central to the design, implementation and continuous evolution of the Group’s trade compliance framework . The position involves close and ongoing interaction with corporate functions and local teams , with active involvement in projects related to growth, integration and continuous improvement.

What You Will Do

• Support and coordinate international trade legal matters , including export control, sanctions and customs compliance, across multiple jurisdictions, in close collaboration with the Group General Counsel .
• Develop, implement and maintain the Group’s trade compliance framework , including policies, procedures and internal controls related to export controls, sanctions regimes and customs requirements.
• Advise on product classification for export control purposes (e.g. EU Dual-Use, EAR, ITAR, military items) and on customs classification (HS / CN codes), working closely with technical and operational teams.
• Assess and manage sanctions and export control risks in commercial transactions, customer and third-party relationships, and cross-border flows of goods, software, technology and technical assistance.
• Provide legal support on licensing strategies , export authorisations, exemptions and reporting obligations, including interaction with external advisors and competent authorities where required.
• Draft, review and negotiate international commercial contracts , with particular focus on trade compliance, sanctions, export control, customs and risk allocation clauses.
• Act as a legal business partner to commercial and operational teams, supporting compliant deal structuring without compromising business objectives.
• Contribute to trade compliance training and awareness initiatives tailored to relevant business functions and risk profiles.
• Participate in continuous improvement and digitalisation initiatives , including the implementation of trade compliance tools, screening solutions and automation of classification and control processes.

What We Are Looking For

• Law degree and 5–7 years of experience , preferably within multinational organisations or international law firms, with focus on international trade law, export control, sanctions and international commercial contracts .
• Strong hands-on knowledge of export control regimes (e.g. EU Dual-Use Regulation, U.S. EAR and ITAR) and international sanctions frameworks .
• Solid experience in customs law , including tariff classification and interaction with customs authorities.
• Proven ability to manage international commercial contracts in regulated cross-border environments.
• Excellent command of English ; additional languages are a strong plus.
• Comfortable operating in international and matrixed environments .

How You Work

• Highly structured, detail-oriented and comfortable with regulatory complexity.
• Pragmatic and business-minded, with the confidence to take ownership of trade and contractual decisions.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally with non-legal stakeholders.
• Proactive mindset and commitment to continuous improvement.

Why This Role

• Strategic role at the intersection of law, international trade and business operations.
• Direct reporting line to the Group General Counsel and exposure to senior stakeholders.
• Opportunity to own and shape both the trade compliance and international contracting agenda in a global industrial group.
• International scope with tangible impact on business execution and growth.