International Trade Compliance Manager

International Trade Compliance Manager

The International Trade Compliance Manager (ITCM) will provide subject matter expertise on all import and export compliance matters, ensuring Ace Hardware follows trade laws and regulations. Provides support and oversight to documentation, customs classification, and management of Ace Hardware’s import broker. Provide direct leadership to 3 team members.

Management of Daily Operations

Manage daily import operations while providing tactical and strategic support, analysis, and reporting. The ITCM will have the Import Compliance Specialist reporting directly to them. The Import Compliance Manager will also lead CTPAT, ISA, First Sale Duty Drawback, and all other programs related to compliance, while also managing Ace Hardware’s relationship with US Customs and Border Protection.

The ITCM will also provide strategic leadership on current and future product and category compliance requirements for export around the world supporting Ace International. In this capacity they will be responsible for understanding international trade compliance and/or country specific import/export compliance requirements and be able to develop clear benchmarks and processes required to meet these standards. The individual will be communicating with AIH team (Oak Brook, China, and Global Sales teams) regarding documentation and requirements to achieve these country specific compliance requirements and meet international trade regulation. The individual will maintain processes and policies that support the collection, accessibility, and communication of the category compliance documentation and retention.

• Serve as a liaison for broker and suppliers to resolve import compliance issue and ensure shipments are delivered timely.
• Assist with new item additions and product maintenance of trade data, as needed.
• Act as back-up to assist with product classification, for US Import and Export.
• Assists with educating Ace Hardware Suppliers with Trade Data and US and all other Government compliance.
• Oversee the filing of all AES for export shipments.

Ensure Ace Hardware’s Compliance to Trade Regulations

• Minimize exposure to governmental penalties by ensuring compliance with US Customs and Border Protection and other government agencies’ laws and regulations.
• Work closely with Customs officials to request Binding Rulings, respond to requests information (CF28 and CF29) and obtain guidance on port regulations.
• Assist with post-entry audits to proactively prohibit penalties for non-compliance.
• Maintain Import Compliance Manual on an annual basis.
• Drive international trade compliance excellence in accordance with country specific regulations pertaining to global trade and ensuring compliance with corporate, group and divisional policies.

Strategic Support

• Optimize efficiency of import logistics and supply chain by resolving compliance matters.
• Manage special project/requests for import/export teams and internal/external legal counsel relating to CBP and associated laws and regulations.
• Support International Leadership team with projects as needed.
• Support the growth of multiple international teams and programs in over 69 import countries.
• Act as an advisor and liaison on behalf of the AIH retailer, working closely with site leadership and program managers on applicable trade compliance matters.
• Ensure International standards for global highly regulated commodities, chemical, water, gas and electric for testing, packaging, and shipping requirements are adhered.

Cargo Security/C-TPAT

• Act as subject matter expert to CTPAT.
• Ensure service vendors meet requirements to maintain Ace’s Tier 3 ranking, and that processes are in place and followed relating to International Transportation and Customs Brokerage.
• Integral component on company’s cross functional CTPAT team.

ISA Program

• Work with outside council to maintain current ISA program and annual audit.
• Long-term develop practice to bring management of ISA in house.
• Work cross-functionally throughout Ace Hardware to ensure compliance to program.

Management

• Work closely with Director of International Logistics and Compliance to ensure all matters related to trade compliance as communicated and addressed cross functionally throughout Ace Hardware.
• Manage the performance and professional development of 3 direct reports.
• Team may grow as business needs change.

Knowledge, Experience, And Competencies

Ace Competencies

• Product Review – For testing. Regulations, and restrictions for intercountry importing/exporting and sale requirement.
• Strategic thinking – Ability to envision, create and present strategy trade barriers in additional options to drive disruptive wholesale and/or retail growth.
• Leadership – Demonstrated and active leadership across the organization, vendors, and retailers as authority in respective category. Superior problem-solving skills.
• Negotiation skills – Superior negotiation skills with proven results leveraging company scale, business drivers, and strategies
• Presentation skills – Ability to plan, assemble and present with excellence strategy, execution, and updates to leadership, across the organization, vendors, and retailers

Knowledge And Experience

• 7+ years’ experience with logistics, customs brokerage, international trade documents, Harmonized Tariff Classification, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection and foreign compliance, including 2 years in leadership
• Demonstrated ability to lead, influence and manage both internal and external partners to drive common goals and strategy and achieve continued improvements, results, and successes.
• Ability to think strategically and cast a vision coupled with a realistic mission
• Must understand different countries and their cultural challenges along with proven ability to work cross-functionally with internal departments
• Knowledge and ability to lead CTPAT and ISA program.
• Licenses Customs Broker required.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communications. High level of initiative, flexibility, organization and team orientation.
• Fluent in English both written and spoken; second language of Spanish or Mandarin, a plus.
• Must be a team player with the ability to collaborate with internal and external business partners

Key skills/competency

• International Trade Compliance
• Import/Export Regulations
• Customs Brokerage
• C-TPAT
• ISA Program
• Harmonized Tariff Classification
• Supply Chain Optimization
• Global Trade Strategy
• Leadership
• Cross-functional Collaboration