Regional Illegal Tobacco Officer

Role Responsibility

Salary: £47,990 – £53,446 | Contract: Fixed-term (3 years)
Location: Ashford, Kent (flexible home working with regional travel)

Kent County Council is seeking an experienced enforcement professional to lead regional efforts tackling the illegal tobacco trade across Trading Standards Authorities in the South East. This pivotal role supports the Government’s 2024 strategy, “Stubbing Out the Problem”, and builds on Operation CeCe, a joint initiative between National Trading Standards, Trading Standards South East Limited and HMRC.

You will coordinate multi-agency enforcement activity, develop intelligence-led strategies, and act as the regional point of contact for 16 local authorities in the South East, HMRC, and other enforcement partners. The role also involves mentoring apprentices, managing budgets for enforcement resources, and delivering training across the region.

We are looking for candidates with:

• A professional qualification in regulatory enforcement (e.g. DCATS, DTS)
• Significant experience in criminal or regulatory enforcement
• Strong knowledge of enforcement legislation and intelligence-led operations
• Excellent communication, analytical, and organisational skills
• Ability to deliver effective training and develop new Officers
• Ability to travel across a wide geographical area in a timely and flexible manner is essential

Kent County Council offers flexible working, generous leave, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, and a wide range of staff benefits.

This role is subject to holding a Full UK Driving Licence – The Council is committed to making reasonable adjustments so whilst this job requires the jobholder to drive your application will still be considered if you are unable to drive due to a disability.

This post is subject to a Basic Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.

Closing date: 20th April 2026

Contact Details

For further information, please contact:

Steve Rock, steve.rock@kent.gov.uk , 03000 414137

About the Company

Work that works for you and us - let's talk flexibility!

KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.

Please note - if you are interested, please apply soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.