Manager, Trade Compliance

Role Overview

The Trade Compliance Manager – North America will oversee and be responsible for the Company’s Trade Compliance and operations in North America, including customs valuation, free trade agreement opportunities, tariff and duty obligations as well as global and local customs policies. The Trade Compliance Manager will work closely with the Company’s global trade compliance group which has team members in Canada, United States, Luxembourg, China and India.

This role also helps to define strategic planning opportunities for trade operations, manages and potentially grows the North America Customs team that performs compliance activities. The candidate is expected to build positive relationships with sales, supply chain, finance, and logistics teams and also to engage with external customs authorities where required. This role will also support and drive continuous improvement projects to ensure globally consistent processes, systems, and standards while staying on top of all legislative and regulatory changes that impact the Company’s global business.

Role Responsibilities:

• Monitor global regulations and laws, including trade agreements that apply to operations, with an emphasis on locations in which the Company is involved in significant import and export activities, such as Canada, United States, Europe, and China.
• Serve as subject matter expert on customs valuation to ensure related and non-related party transactions globally meet regional Customs valuation requirements.
• Provide technical advisory expertise in these areas: Customs valuations rules for both related and non-related party transactions, Valuation assessments, Tariffs, duty payments, deferrals and drawbacks
• Manage the C-TPAT program
• Provide Customs support to other team members when required
• Monitor and manage Customs Brokers
• Trade agreement analysis
• Customs authority audits and voluntary disclosures
• Implement procedures and controls globally to mitigate the risks associated with customs valuation.
• Identify and implement strategic cost savings initiatives such as foreign trade zones, duty drawbacks, free trade agreements, duty suspension regimes, etc.
• Develop and deploy standard processes and procedures for customs compliance.
• Assist the Trade Compliance Director with projects
• Develop strong business partner relationships, including collaborating closely with global business and functional leaders such as engineering, sales, finance, logistics, etc.

Technical/Professional Knowledge:

• Experience with US & Canada Customs Regulations
• Detailed understanding of import/export operations, trade compliance concepts and global trade regulations in a multinational environment
• Self-starter with strong organization, planning skills with ability to complete tasks with minimal direction and the ability to produce results with minimal supervision.
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills are needed.
• Ability to operate independently and collaborate with direct reports, supply chain, global manufacturing, purchasing and supplier management, marketing, finance, tax, outside service providers, and government officials.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing trade compliance strategies in a complex, multinational environment.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and drive results in a fast-paced, dynamic business environment.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree (from an accredited college/university preferred).
• Minimum 5 years of international trade compliance experience with a good understanding of core trade principles such as product valuation, tariff classification, C-TPAT/AEO, export controls/sanctions and trade programs.
• Excellent computer skills; use of MS Office PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook and databases