Summary

Responsible for overseeing the Americas import & export transactions, ensuring they fully comply with all applicable customs laws and regulations by managing customs processes, conducting audits, staying updated on regulatory changes, and training staff to maintain compliance across the organization; acting as the primary contact for customs authorities and addressing any compliance issues that may arise.

This position reports to Head of Global Logistics & Trade Compliance. Plays a critical role in executing trade operations and supporting compliance within Americas. Serves as a trade lead and is a primary point of contact for brokers, carriers and internal MT entities. Stays up to date with the ever-changing landscape of trade regulations, tariffs, and sanctions imposed by various countries, to ensure that all import and export activities comply with the applicable laws and regulations, minimizing the risk of fines and penalties. Leads and develops a team of Trade Compliance Specialists & Import & Export Managers and assures continuous improvement of processes and procedures in view of effectiveness, efficiency of capacities used and automation standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership

o Lead a team of Trade Compliance Specialists and foster their professional development

o Allocate resources efficiently to optimize team performance and productivity.

o Encourage a positive workplace culture and promote employee engagement initiatives.

o Identify training needs and facilitate professional development opportunities for team members.

o Develop concepts and assure execution of organizational development assuring agile Customs Compliance Organization

o Work closely with our local customs team to manage the Maquiladora program.

o Standard review with units that are served and establish quarterly Continuous improvement events (CI events)

Customs Transaction Management

o Monitor import & export transactions and assure compliance with applicable regulations.

o Assure all relevant data is provided to customs broker to ensure timely and accurate entry filing and customs clearance

o Define and ensure record keeping documentation procedures

o Work with customs brokers on any issues involving clearances and customs entries

o Establishes effective broker management with high degree of automation & standardization (SLA)

o Execute the continuous improvement plan as part of the broker management

Origin & FTA

o Maintain Country of Origin for products, components, materials and spare parts in the material master data

o Secure FTA product validations and manage appropriate FTA application procedures

o Share expertise and drive standardization and automation in this area

HS Code Classification

o Establish accurate TARIFF classifications across a very broad assortment of products, components, materials, and spare parts; and maintain appropriate material master data and continuously assess efficiency gains through automation and new tools (such as bots or TRAIDE AI)

o Cooperate closely with Global HS Code Classification Champion enhancing local capabilities and drive standardizations and automation

Duty Drawback

o Assess duty drawback potentials and secure execution of the duty drawback program

o Work closely with Share Service Operations as well as agency

CTPAT program

o Close cooperation with Leader to enhance the CTPAT program and effectively manage its impact by implementing a cutting-edge program management approach to secure Tier 3 status.

o Lead CTPAT audits and support units with their improvement measures

o Share Best Practices within an established CTPAT community

Execution of governance program

o Maintain and update operational compliance processes and tools securing and implementing corrective action plans

o Work pro-actively with all departments to prevent trade disruptions

o Develop & update SLAs for entities that are served by the Customs team and regularly re-assess requirements

o Serve as a channel for resolution on compliance issues and define appropriate corrective and preventive measures.

o Strong commitment to analytics and standardization of KPI reporting and metrics securing compliance overview

o Drive cost savings and efficiencies through continuous improvement and effective management of trade compliance program, efficient internal processes, free trade utilization, return goods provisions, tariff management & proposing scenarios.

o Be responsible for strategy development and implementation of using state-of-the-art tools.

Education, Experience & Skills

o People manager with ability to develop well performing teams.

o Demonstrated expertise in evaluating capacity and employing capacity planning methodologies.

o Strong customs compliance knowledge of the US, Canada and Southern Boarders.

o Strong Tariff classification, US Origin Rule and FTA knowledge.

o Solid knowledge of America’s customs regulations and laws that affect export & import transactions.

o Being analytically minded and detail orientated and having a desire for continuous improvement.

o Strong communication skills and ability to communicate with external partners as well as internal departments.

o Effective problem-solving skill combined with sense of urgency.

o Change Management experiences and sensitivity to introduce changes.

o Ability to adjust communication to stakeholders and corresponding management levels.

Qualifications

o US Broker License is required.

o SAP process & transaction experience preferred.

o Project Management experience preferred.

o Trade Compliance Governance program understanding.

o MS Office suite experience required.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We give consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other protected classification. You can find more details in our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.