UK Customs & Logistics Specialist Apprenticeship

SMART UK AUTOMOTIVE LTD

MILTON KEYNES (MK15 8BA)

Closes in 29 days (Saturday 31 October 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 1 October 2026

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Summary

UK-based Logistics & Supply Chain apprenticeship supporting customs operations as a UK Customs Declaration Coordinator. Gain hands-on experience across UK shipping, supply chain damage, stock analysis and reporting, internal fleet administration, and wider logistics operations alongside an accredited qualification.

• Wage:

  £16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

  National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Yearly Salary Review

• Training course: Supply chain leadership professional (integrated degree) (level 6)
• Hours: Example: 9.00am- 6.00pm Monday- Friday 1 hour lunch break

  40 hours a week

• Start date:

  Sunday 15 November 2026

• Duration:

  3 years 6 months

• Positions available:

  1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

The apprentice will gain practical experience across UK customs, transport, supply chain administration, fleet management and stock analysis, including:

UK Customs: Prepare and coordinate all UK customs documentation in a timely manner for submission to the UK customs broker.
Transport Coordination: Coordinate the movement of UK vehicles from Zee to the UK, working with internal teams and external transport partners.
Customs Budget Monitoring: Monitor expenditure and budgets associated with UK customs activity while vehicles are in transit to the UK.
Supply Chain Damages: Manage the day-to-day administration and reporting of damage incidents within the supply chain.

Fleet Administration: Support the day-to-day administration of internal fleet vehicles, including monitoring mileage and processing new vehicle orders.
Stock Analysis: Analyse UK supply chain stock data and prepare reports to support the Sales Planning Manager with informed business decision-making.
The role will provide the apprentice with hands-on experience across multiple areas of logistics and supply chain, while developing their knowledge and skills alongside their formal apprenticeship qualification.

Where you'll work

DELAWARE DRIVE
TONGWELL
MILTON KEYNES
MK15 8BA

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

SUPPLY CHAIN ACADEMY LIMITED

Training course

Supply chain leadership professional (integrated degree) (level 6)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Determine benefits of insourcing, offshoring or outsourcing
• Gather, analyse, interpret and use data from across the supply chain to propose and make effective decisions
• Source and plan optimal transport solutions
• Actively integrate and use data across enterprise lines
• Develop differentiated supply chain strategies aligned to relevant business unit or function to achieve long-term sustainable growth
• Use end customer insight to design and evaluate end-to-end supply chain networks
• Use current market and product information to influence and challenge supply chain network design
• Leverage, and capitalise on, supply chain assets to deliver financial targets
• Drive cost efficiencies and service level improvements through the distribution network
• Practise in a sustainable and ethical way all sourcing and buying decisions
• Control information and material flow on-time and in-full
• Apply relevant inventory control techniques and tools
• Articulate ways to minimise costs and deploy Lean principles while optimising service
• Introduce strategies for managing inventory optimisation and rationalisation across the extended supply chain
• Implement change in the supply chain in response to changes in production, scheduling and demand
• Collaborate with manufacturing functions to meet criteria of quality, time and continuity
• Manage distribution and logistics networks, inbound and outbound
• Evolve alternative supply chains to ensure resilience and continuity of supply
• Design activities for receiving, put-away, storage, replenish, order-picking and dispatch
• Identify next-generation software and manage potentially disruptive technologies
• Match innovation in IT with business needs including global sourcing and the international trade context
• Meet the challenge of technology selection, development, implementation and application
• Give guidance on meeting environmental and legal requirements and maintain a high regard for risk identification and reduction, and safety management
• Articulate business purpose and values and establish key accountabilities for contract formation and negotiation
• Introduce innovative distribution, delivery and return methods while managing risk
• Implement the 7 "R's" of sustainability: remove, reduce, reuse, renew, recycle, revenue and read
• Maintain the competitiveness of the supply chain
• Agree, communicate, collaborate and coordinate supply chain and network imperatives with finance, HR, IT, sales and marketing functions and with key partners
• Initiate value-adding strategic and operational processes through effective project and task management

Training schedule

The BSc (Hons) Leading Digital Transformation for Sustainable Supply Chains, delivered by Supply Chain Academy in partnership with the University of West London, is a 42-month Level 6-degree apprenticeship delivered through a flexible hybrid model.

 

Learners combine live online teaching, interactive workshops, independent study and workplace-based projects, allowing them to apply their learning directly to real supply chain challenges within their organisation.

The programme covers areas including procurement, logistics, warehousing, operations, inventory, project management, sustainability, digital transformation, AI and supply chain resilience.

The emphasis is on practical application rather than academic theory alone, enabling employers to develop existing employees and future leaders while delivering measurable improvements within the workplace.

More training information

N/A

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4 or above)
• Maths (grade 4 or above)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Presentation skills
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience
• Physical fitness
• Willingness to Learn

Other requirements

Smart are looking for someone who is motivated, proactive and keen to learn, with an interest in the automotive industry. Smart is a dynamic and fast-paced environment, so being comfortable taking initiative, adapting to changing priorities and working collaboratively is important.

About this employer

Smart is an international automotive brand combining innovative technology, design and electric mobility. Working for smart UK provides the opportunity to gain experience within a global automotive business, working with colleagues and teams across the UK and Europe.

For the apprentice, this is an opportunity to build a career within a modern, international organisation while gaining practical experience across customs, transport, logistics, stock management and supply chain operations alongside a recognised supply chain qualification.

The role offers exposure to a wide range of business functions and the opportunity to develop valuable skills in international trade, customs, logistics coordination, data analysis and supply chain management.

 

https://uk.smart.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Join an innovative global automotive business and gain hands-on experience across customs, logistics and supply chain operations. Work with UK and European teams, develop valuable professional and technical skills, and earn a recognised supply chain qualification while building your career within a growing global brand. Benefits include a pension, training and development, and a Work from Abroad benefit.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

This apprenticeship is designed to provide a strong foundation for long-term career growth within the industry, with clear opportunities to develop, progress, and potentially move into senior or management roles over time.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SUPPLY CHAIN ACADEMY LIMITED

Alex Mortimer

am@supplychainacademy.org.uk

01708259450

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000055575.

Apply now

Closes in 29 days (Saturday 31 October 2026 at 11:59pm)