Tariff Strategy Lead

About Panasonic North America

Every moment of every day, people all over the world turn to Panasonic to make their lives simpler, more enjoyable, more productive and more secure. Since our founding almost a century ago, we’ve been committed to improving peoples’ lives and making the world a better place–one customer, one business, one innovative leap at a time. Come join our journey!

Meet the Recruiter

Amber Smallwood

What You'll Get To Do

The Tariff Strategy Lead will maintain awareness of the constantly changing tariff/duty landscape relative to US Imports. This role requires a high level of knowledge in trade compliance and tariff mitigation strategy, coupled with highly analytical and detail-oriented skills to transform complex data into compelling, executive-level presentations. You will translate regulatory changes into clear impact assessments and actionable insights for executive and operational leaders. You will also execute project management and reporting on duty mitigation strategies (potential and realized) while remaining compliant with regulations.

Responsibilities

• Maintain/Assess Regulatory Knowledge: Monitor regulatory changes and bring forth opportunities to Trade Compliance, Logistics, Legal/OEC, Government Affairs, PNA, and Division Executives.
• Execute Tariff Tracking & Analysis: Analyze and assess potential and actual impacts of duty changes and savings/mitigation opportunities to PNA and its Divisions.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external counsel to identify potential impacts and establish reporting requirements.
• Communication and Reporting: Maintain and deliver complex reporting on potential impacts, mitigation opportunities, mitigation execution, and actual cost savings. Execute professional presentations virtually and in-person.
• Identify and Communicate Tariff Mitigation Opportunities: Engage with trade compliance, legal/outside counsel, and Divisions to align on processes for reviewing opportunities and executing tasks. This includes, but is not limited to: Country of Origin knowledge, First Sale / Valuation, CVD AD, duty exemptions (e.g., CN Duty Exemptions), Section 232, 301, tariff engineering, shifts in manufacturing processes/locations, FTA Opportunities & Validation, Drawback Opportunities, and FTZ Opportunities.
• Execute assigned activities under Mitigation Opportunities, coordinate with PNA Division to validate opportunities, and engage with trade compliance and legal to support operationalization.
• Project Management: Establish project plans, arrange and chair meetings, monitor tasks and deliverables, and ensure timely delivery of requirements. Deliver on-time and accurate presentations and reports to stakeholders.
• Process / Training: Document processes and procedures. Collaborate on training materials and execute training as required. Execute ongoing process improvement and collaboration with stakeholders.

Scope

Job responsibilities are carried out in a work environment that consists of both recurring and non-recurring work situations. Job involves a high degree of detail and complexity. Job tasks will be performed under moderate supervision.

Qualifications

What You'll Bring:

Education/Experience

• Undergraduate degree in international business, finance, accounting, or a similar field of study, or a minimum of 10 years of practical experience in international trade, customs/trade compliance including tariff mitigation strategy.
• A current customs broker’s license is required.
• Advanced knowledge and experience in import processes, customs brokerage functions, and tariff strategy and mitigation.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of the Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) to understand classification, tariff engineering, and identification of duty-free opportunities on imported goods.
• Knowledge and understanding of duty drawback, duty deferment schemas, and import tax refund processes pursuant to government regulations and company policy.
• Highly advanced communication skills (both written and spoken).
• Ability to interact with executive team members in a professional manner.
• Ability to execute highly analytical activity in MS Office applications, Excel, Power BI, or other tools to develop and present reports/charts.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to track multiple activities involving numerous details.
• Ability to work on assignments that are highly complex requiring judgment in resolving issues or in making recommendations to the trade compliance and executive team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, self-motivated, and capable of working as part of a team or independently.

Problem-Solving

Decisions are made within prescribed company policy guidelines and constraints; however, independent judgment is often needed in identifying and resolving discrepancies. Errors and delays can cause significant cost/financial impacts relative to duty payment/savings and could result in CBP penalties. Excessive errors may ultimately affect Panasonic’s import/export process and result in a higher risk designation by CBP, thereby increasing the company’s exposure to penalties, exams, or audits. This will involve meeting necessary deadlines on a regular basis to comply with Customs regulations and project deadlines.

Communications

Contacts occur with others inside of Panasonic and outside counsel or consultants.

Miscellaneous

Ability to work overtime on an as-needed basis and an ability to travel up to 10% domestic or overseas as needed.

Benefits & Perks - What's In It For You

Panasonic prioritizes total well-being and offers comprehensive benefits options to support physical, emotional, financial, social, and environmental health:

• Health Benefits – Offering medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, plus Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
• Voluntary Benefits – Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance.
• Panasonic Retirement Savings & Investment Plan (PRSIP) – 401(k) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting.
• Paid Time-Off Benefits – Vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer, and parental & caregiver leave.
• Educational Assistance – Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service.
• Health Management and Wellbeing Programs – Lifestyle Spending Account, EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition, neurodiversity, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, and life stage and fertility resources. Available to eligible employees starting the first day of the month following your start date. Eligibility for each benefit may vary based on employment status, location, and length of service.
• Employee Recognition Program - High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition.
• Annual Bonus Program - Opportunity for an annual performance-based bonus.

We Take Opportunity Seriously

At Panasonic, we are committed to a workplace that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. Fairness and Honesty have been part of our core values for more than 100 years and we are proud of our diverse culture as an equal opportunity employer.

The wage range of $100,000 - $110,000 is just one component of Panasonic’s total package. Actual compensation varies depending on the individual’s knowledge, skills, experience, and location. This role may be eligible for discretionary bonuses and incentives.

We understand that your career search may look different than others and embrace the professional, personal, educational, and volunteer opportunities through which people gain experience. If you are actively looking or starting to explore new opportunities, send us your application!

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristic protected by law. All qualified individuals are required to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Due to the high volume of responses, we will only be able to respond to candidates of interest. All candidates must have valid authorization to work in the U.S.

Thank you for your interest in Panasonic.

REQ-154463

Key skills/competency

• Tariff Strategy
• Trade Compliance
• Harmonized Tariff System
• Customs Brokerage
• Duty Mitigation
• Import Processes
• Regulatory Analysis
• Project Management
• Data Analysis
• Executive Presentations