Associate General Counsel, Export & Import (China)

Position Summary:

This role is seeking an Associate General Counsel – Export & Import (APAC) to provide legal guidance on import/export, customs, and trade compliance matters across the Asia-Pacific region. This role will oversee compliance with local APAC regulations, regional export controls, customs laws, and trade sanctions, ensuring the company’s manufacturing operations operate in full regulatory alignment.

This is a mission-critical role, supporting the company efforts to strengthen trade compliance, mitigate regulatory risk, and ensure alignment with both APAC and international trade laws.

Locations based in: Shanghai, Hong Kong, or Beijing

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the company’s APAC’s legal lead for imports, exports, customs, duties, and trade compliance across the region.
• Lead and develop a team of legal and compliance professionals, providing mentorship, guidance, and career development.
• Set team priorities, oversee deliverables, and ensure compliance, operational, and business objectives are met.
• Ensure compliance with local APAC export control regulations (e.g., Singapore Strategic Goods Control, Japan Foreign Exchange & Foreign Trade Act, Australia Defense Trade Controls) and regional trade sanctions.
• Provide guidance on product classification, licensing, and regulatory filings under APAC jurisdictional requirements.
• Advise on import/export documentation, customs procedures, bonded warehouse compliance, and free trade zones where applicable.
• Collaborate with Finance, Supply Chain, and Operations to develop processes to optimize customs duties, tariffs, and recoverable credits.
• Represent the company in interactions with APAC regulatory authorities and external counsel regarding audits, inquiries, and compliance reviews.
• Lead compliance remediation initiatives and implement internal controls to strengthen regulatory compliance and reduce exposure to penalties.
• Monitor regional trade legislation, regulatory updates, and sanctions changes impacting the manufacturing operations.
• Develop and deliver training for internal teams on APAC import/export compliance obligations and best practices.
• Model the company’s values—Integrity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Enthusiasm—in all legal and compliance activities.

Qualifications:

• Education: Law degree from an accredited law school; eligibility to practice law in at least one APAC jurisdiction preferred.
• Experience: Minimum 7+ years advising import/export, trade compliance, customs, and regional export controls in APAC.
• Demonstrated expertise in APAC export controls, customs law, regional sanctions, and trade compliance programs.
• Proven experience managing import/export compliance, licensing, and customs duty optimization.
• Ability to provide practical, business-oriented legal guidance and partner cross-functionally with Finance, Supply Chain, Operations, and Executive leadership.
• Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills.

Preferred Attributes:

• Familiarity with manufacturing operations
• Experience with ERP-based compliance systems
• Proven track record leading internal audits, investigations, or compliance enhancements