Head of Trade Compliance - Americas

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

oLead a team of Trade Compliance Specialists and foster their professional development

oAllocate resources efficiently to optimize team performance and productivity.

oEncourage a positive workplace culture and promote employee engagement initiatives.

oIdentify training needs and facilitate professional development opportunities for team members.

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

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

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

Customs Transaction Management

oMonitor import & export transactions and assure compliance with applicable regulations.

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

oDefine and ensure record keeping documentation procedures

oWork with customs brokers on any issues involving clearances and customs entries

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

oExecute the continuous improvement plan as part of the broker management

Origin & FTA

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

oSecure FTA product validations and manage appropriate FTA application procedures

oShare expertise and drive standardization and automation in this area

HS Code Classification

oEstablish 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)

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

Duty Drawback

oAssess duty drawback potentials and secure execution of the duty drawback program

oWork closely with Share Service Operations as well as agency

CTPAT program

oClose 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.

oLead CTPAT audits and support units with their improvement measures

oShare Best Practices within an established CTPAT community

Execution of governance program

oMaintain and update operational compliance processes and tools securing and implementing corrective action plans

oWork pro-actively with all departments to prevent trade disruptions

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

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

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

oDrive 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.

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

Education, Experience & Skills

oPeople manager with ability to develop well performing teams.

oDemonstrated expertise in evaluating capacity and employing capacity planning methodologies.

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

oStrong Tariff classification, US Origin Rule and FTA knowledge.

oSolid knowledge of America's customs regulations and laws that affect export & import transactions.

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

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

oEffective problem-solving skill combined with sense of urgency.

oChange Management experiences and sensitivity to introduce changes.

oAbility to adjust communication to stakeholders and corresponding management levels.

Qualifications

oUS Broker License is required.

oSAP process & transaction experience preferred.

oProject Management experience preferred.

oTrade Compliance Governance program understanding.

oMS 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.