North America Customs Compliance Manager

Job Summary:

The North America Customs Compliance Manager provides structure and daily management of customs import operations and will lead technical advice and research for US/CA business activities, identify compliance gaps and implement corrective action where appropriate.  The Compliance Manager will participate in the Company’s global trade compliance team to ensure alignment with the Company’s global compliance strategy.
This role is highly visible and will work across the matrix with Marketing, Engineering, Finance, Legal, and other teams to ensure compliance.  Work in a highly collaborative team to cross-train others as well as contribute to the growth, development, and implementation of a global trade compliance department.

Responsibilities:

• Define, automate, and conduct trade compliance audits and ensuring corrective action processes are in place to comply with all relevant customs regulations and trade laws, and other regulatory agency requirements.
• Supervise and manage department in areas concerning classification, valuation, record keeping, drawback, reconciliation, non-preferential and preferential country of origin.
• Interact and support all customs initiatives as they relate to the company import and export activities (Assists, Royalties, Country of Origin determination, Free Trade and Tariff Classifications)
• Responsible for qualification of free trade agreement programs
• Review and audit of processes on a periodic basis while maintaining and updating Customs Compliance Manual as a working and living document as proof to Customs that procedures are being supported by review of daily activities.
• Ensure that all procedures are documented and tested; provide education and improvement plans where needed.
• Provide Compliance Metrics Report to the Senior Director, Global Trade and Customs
• Oversee activities as they relate to Customs audit activities, internal audit support and SOX compliance.
• Review and conduct quarterly business reviews for brokers as it relates to quality of customs compliance activities that the Customs broker is performing.
• Ensure that internal metrics are reported on and improved upon by conducting monthly assessments / meetings with brokerage partners.
• Manage the team’s daily operations ensuring accuracy and follow through.

Qualifications:

• University Degree required; Advanced degree, multiple language proficiency, Customs license preferred.
• 7-10 years of experience working in international trade compliance, prior experience working international trade compliance at a publicly traded company is preferred and proven track record for enhancing customs compliance programs.
• Thorough understanding of US Customs Regulation.  (Canada Customs Regulations a plus).
• Knowledge of US Export Compliance laws a plus.
• Incoterms® 2021 usage
• Must be able to set vision and execute projects from beginning to end while managing multiple priorities, product lines, locations, and time zones.
• Self-starter with strong organizational, planning and follow-through capabilities.
• Multiple language proficiency English required.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work with and through cross-functional teams.
• Ability to communicate at all levels. Excellent Organization, Communication and Presentation skills are required.
• Knowledge of product specifications, customer, and consumer perspective a plus
• Excellent risk mitigation, problem identification, and solving capability are required.
• Experience working with global teams and vendors is a tremendous advantage.
• Excellent computer skills- inclusive of all Microsoft Business Suite required (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Domestic & international travel is required (approximately 30%)
• Local candidates required; relocation assistance will not be provided.