Trade Compliance Section Manager

The Section Manager, Trade Compliance is responsible for managing the North American customs and trade compliance program while supporting business objectives across all TRAM’s Group companies.This position oversees customs related activities, managing risk, serves as the North America regional subject matter expert on USMCA, customs valuation, tariff mitigation, automotive rules of origin, duty recovery initiatives, emerging trade regulations and does not perform day-to-day customs clearance operations.Trade Compliance Strategy and GovernanceProvide direction and help develop the company's long-term strategies to improve regional content and maintain compliance under evolving USMCA requirementsLead tariff strategies (classification governance, origin planning, valuation strategies) and mitigation strategiesLead classification, valuation, origin determination, special programs, and recordkeeping across US, Canada and Mexico to improve governance, accuracy, and consistencyLead company strategies to meet customer and regulatory reporting requirements (USMCA, FTA, AALA, CAFÉ, etc.)Coordinate with Sales, Purchasing, Finance, Engineering, and business units to integrate end-to-end customs/trade requirementsCustoms ComplianceManage Reconciliations programs and post-entry activities, including Post Summary Corrections, Protests, prior disclosures, duty tenders, and other corrective actions, ensuring submissions are tracked through resolutionOversee payment of Customs duty and fees and prevent late files/paymentsPartner with manufacturing, brokerage, freight forwarder, and customer-facing teams to resolve customs and entry-processing issuesSupport continuous customs bond management activitiesReview, approve, and maintain Customs Powers of Attorney (POAs) and monitor renewal and expiration requirementsSupport entry cancellations, CARNET, TIB, activities, extensions, and liquidation monitoringTrade Compliance and Risk ManagementOwn customs and trade compliance KPI - from conducting risk assessments, reporting, and implementing strategies to mitigate potential risks and exposuresManage supply chain risk and resiliencies against related priority trade action (Forced Labor, AD/CVD, FTA, Entity List, D-List countries etc.)Provide subject matter knowledge for responses to CF28, customs audits, regulatory examinations, government inquiries, and enforcement actionsServe as a key representative with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other Trade associations and industry working groupsCustoms brokerage management, development & controlProvide oversight of customs brokers, freight forwarders, carriers, consultants, and other third-party trade compliance service providersEstablish performance expectations, statement of work, rate structures, operating procedures, escalation paths, and compliance requirements for third-party providersQualificationsBachelor's Degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Supply Chain, Economics, International Trade, Engineering, or related disciplineMinimum of 10 years of progressive experience in customs, international trade, USMCA administration, trade compliance, or related disciplinesMinimum of 3 years of leadership experience managing supply chain, customs, trade compliance, or international trade functionsDemonstrated expertise in: Rules of origin for manufactured products, Customs valuation, Tariff classification, Duty minimization strategiesPreferred QualificationsProfessional certifications in customs or trade compliance (e.g., CCS, LCB, similar) or equivalent experienceBasic knowledge of Canada and Mexico trade compliance program (IMMEX, Prosec, Surtax etc.)Automotive industry or related manufacturing industry experienceExperience managing USMCA or other FTA qualification programs and origin calculationsExperience working directly with CBP or other government regulatory agencies, Government audits or compliance programsExperience aligning customs compliance with various IT systems