This role will compensate between $85,000 - $150,000 per year.

This role will require 25% travel in the year.

Foreign Trade Zones and Customs Operation Manager

Job Description

The FTZ and Customs Operations Manager is responsible for ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and predetermined KPIs for active Foreign Trade Zones at the site level. Serving as a subject matter expert in Customs and FTZ operations, this role provides guidance to internal stakeholders and operational teams while leveraging practical knowledge of Customs and trade compliance within the DSC framework. The manager will maintain best practices to adapt to the evolving Customs and international landscape, driving continuous improvement in operations.

Responsibilities

• Ensure operational compliance with all Customs regulations for active FTZs.

• Standardize Work Instructions, Standard Procedures, and KPIs across all DSC FTZs.

• Collaborate with operations to develop inbound and outbound processes that fulfill DSC's obligations as an FTZ operator.

• Conduct site visits to address FTZ challenges in collaboration with site operations.

• Serve as the subject matter expert on Foreign Trade Zones and Customs bonded warehouses in North America, leveraging FTZs to support DSC's strategic growth.

• Assist sites with requests for FTZ layout modifications.

• Develop and deliver FTZ training for operational and internal stakeholders as needed.

• Respond to inquiries from Customs and government agencies regarding DSC FTZs, bonded warehouses, AES/EEI filings, and other Customs offerings, under the guidance of the Director of Customs and Trade Compliance and the legal team.

• Support the implementation of FTZ procedure manuals for new and existing sites, ensuring that FTZ work instructions and Standard Operating Procedures are up to date.

• Monitor site operations to ensure adherence to pre-set KPIs, conducting regular alignment meetings.

• Collaborate with internal teams to create reports and metrics that capture site KPI performance, FTZ savings, and benefits for the Director of Customs and Trade Compliance.

• Identify and report compliance risks related to Customs bonded warehouses and FTZ operations at the site level, working with the Director of Customs Compliance to implement mitigation strategies.

• Ensure Internal System Controls is in place across all Customs and Trade Compliance landscape.

• Ensure documentation of all CAPA, procedures, and Work Instructions in internal DHL systems.

• Confirm that DSC, as the FTZ operator, meets all regulatory obligations, escalating issues to the Director of Customs and Trade Compliance as necessary.

• Collaborate with the Director of Customs and Trade Compliance to monitor and analyze FTZ and Customs compliance performance metrics, driving continuous improvement initiatives.

• Oversee Customs offerings (e.g., AES filings, FTZ) in partnership with the Director of Customs and Trade Compliance, Compliance, and Legal teams.

• Stay updated on international regulatory changes and summarize potential impacts on DSC offerings or customers for the Director of Customs and Trade Compliance.

• Maintain and enhance North America Customs and Trade Compliance Standard Operating Procedures, ensuring systematic document control at the site level.

• Assist in updating North America Customs Dashboards on a monthly basis.

• Support the establishment, improvement, and monitoring of KPIs for DSC FTZs and Customs bonded warehouses.

• Collaborate with North America and Global teams on DSC North America Export Control activities and Denied Party Screening solutions in partnership with Compliance and Legal teams.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor Degree or equivalent 4 years work experience, required

• Licensed Customs Broker (if not yet a LCB, willing to take the LCB exam within 3 years), required

• Certified Zone Specialist preferred

• Certified Customs Specialist preferred

• 5+ years of experience in Customs, Trade Compliance, and International Trade required

• 2+ years experience with FTZ operations required

• Trade compliance (import/export, trade security, denied party screening) and customs experience (AES, FTZ, CBP) in a large multinational, preferably with third party logistics or freight forwarding required

• Skilled at coordinating complex efforts around customs and trade compliance with international, cross-functional stakeholders, required

• Functional expertise in other areas such as project management, data analysis and metric reporting, risk analysis, change management, etc. required

• Experience leading staff of 2+ people, preferred

• Excellent verbal and written communication and facilitation skills, required

• Leadership and influencing skills, required

• Presentation and project management skills, required

• Ability to enter and manipulate data to generate reports, required

• Ability to read and interpret technical documents and regulations, required

Our Organization has a business casual environment and focuses on teamwork, associate development, training, and continuous improvement. We offer competitive wages, excellent affordable insurance benefits (including health, dental, vision and life), 401K plan, paid vacation and holidays.

Our Organization is an equal opportunity employer.