Key Skills

Job Description

Compliance Officer (Supply Chain) GCB Europe | Netherlands Reporting to: Corporate Sustainability Manager, GCB Singapore Location Amsterdam / Netherlands Function Sustainability & Compliance Contract Full-time, Permanentnction Work Model Hybrid About GCB Cocoa GCB Cocoa is one of the world's leading cocoa bean processors and suppliers of semi-finished cocoa products, operating across the full cocoa value chain. A subsidiary of Guan Chong Berhad (listed on Bursa Malaysia), GCB operates processing facilities and commercial entities across Singapore, Malaysia, Côte d'Ivoire, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands. GCB Europe B.V., based in the Netherlands, serves as a key trading and commercial hub — sitting at the centre of European cocoa flows and customer relationships across the EU market. Role Purpose The Supply Chain Compliance Officer is a critical operational role within GCB Europe, responsible for ensuring that cocoa shipments entering the EU meet all applicable regulatory, certification, and due diligence requirements. Sitting at the intersection of logistics, trade compliance, and supply chain sustainability, the role requires someone who can navigate the technical demands of EU customs and import procedures while building strong, trust-based relationships with suppliers. The successful candidate will bring a grounding in agri-commodity trade operations and customs compliance, combined with meaningful supplier management experience. They will have the operational confidence to manage live shipment validations and the interpersonal skills to engage directly with exporters and trading intermediaries to collect, verify, and improve compliance documentation. Regulatory depth in supply chain sustainability — including EUDR — will be developed on the job, supported by GCB's existing compliance programme and the Global Sustainability team. Key Responsibilities 1 Shipment Validation & Customs Compliance Manage the end-to-end compliance review of incoming cocoa shipments, ensuring all import documentation is accurate, complete, and submitted on time Prepare and submit EUDR due diligence statements via TRACES NT for cocoa shipments entering the EU market Liaise with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and port operators — particularly at the Port of Rotterdam — to resolve documentation issues and ensure smooth clearance Verify tariff classifications (HS codes), phytosanitary certificates, Bills of Lading, and Letters of Credit against shipment records 2 Supply Chain Assessment (EUDR & Regulatory Due Diligence) Implement and maintain GCB Europe's EUDR compliance programme, including supplier due diligence, geolocation data management, and risk assessment Conduct supplier risk assessments across GCB Europe's cocoa supply base, identifying compliance vulnerabilities and recommending mitigating actions Develop internal supply chain assessment tools and processes in collaboration with the Global Sustainability team Support internal and third-party audits by preparing documentation, coordinating site visits, and managing corrective action follow-up Assess and classify supplier risk by origin, ensuring geolocation data (polygon/GeoJSON) meets EUDR precision requirements Monitor regulatory developments — including EU implementing acts, country benchmarking decisions, and NVWA guidance — and escalate implications to the Global Sustainability team Support the preparation of customer-facing EUDR compliance documentation and respond to customer data requests 3 Supplier Engagement & Documentation Management Build and maintain working relationships with suppliers — including exporters, cooperatives, and processors Collect, verify, and challenge compliance documentation from suppliers, including traceability records, geolocation data, and certification evidence Manage supplier corrective action processes where documentation gaps or non-conformances are identified Develop and maintain a structured supplier documentation database, ensuring records are current, complete, and audit-ready Support the on-boarding of new suppliers into GCB's compliance framework, including initial risk assessment and documentation requirements 4 Certification Programme Support Support GCB Europe's Rainforest Alliance and Fair Trade certification cycles — including audit preparation, certificate chain of custody management, and corrective action tracking Maintain certification records and ensure timely renewal of applicable standards Assist in drafting and updating compliance SOPs and internal process documentation Experience & Qualifications Essential 2-4 years' experience in agri-commodity trade operations, customs compliance, freight forwarding, or a closely related field — with direct exposure to soft commodities or food-grade agricultural products Hands-on experience with EU customs import procedures — including import declarations, HS code classification, and phytosanitary documentation for agricultural commodities Working knowledge of TRACES NT or equivalent EU customs platforms Experience managing relationships with logistics counterparties — freight forwarders, customs brokers, port operators, or shipping lines Demonstrated experience engaging directly with suppliers or trading counterparties to collect, verify, and resolve compliance documentation issues Strong attention to detail — comfortable working with technical documentation where precision is non-negotiable Proficiency in Dutch and English (written and spoken); ability to conduct formal correspondence in both languages Right to work in the Netherlands without visa sponsorship Preferred Familiarity with EUDR requirements — including due diligence statement obligations, geolocation data standards, and operator vs. trader distinctions Prior experience in the cocoa or chocolate supply chain — at a trading house, processor, or certification body Experience at or with the Port of Rotterdam, including familiarity with local port operations and customs brokerage contacts Knowledge of Rainforest Alliance, Fair Trade, Organic certification requirements Experience with Business Central or a comparable commodity ERP or compliance management system Familiarity with deforestation monitoring tools Why GCB Cocoa GCB is at a pivotal moment in its sustainability journey — building the systems, processes, and people that will define how it operates in an increasingly regulated global cocoa market. This role offers a rare opportunity to shape GCB Europe's compliance function from an early stage, working at the intersection of international trade, supply chain sustainability, and regulatory compliance. You will have direct exposure to a global supply chain, meaningful relationships with origin-country partners, and a clear pathway to grow into a senior compliance and supply chain assessment role.

Core Responsibilities

The role is responsible for ensuring cocoa shipments entering the EU meet all regulatory, certification, and due diligence requirements, specifically focusing on EUDR compliance. This includes managing customs documentation, conducting supplier risk assessments, and coordinating with logistics partners at the Port of Rotterdam.

Requirements

Candidates need 2-4 years of experience in agri-commodity trade operations or customs compliance with proficiency in both Dutch and English. Experience with EU customs procedures, TRACES NT, and the right to work in the Netherlands are essential.