Senior Customs and Trade Specialist

Job Title: Senior Customs and Trade Specialist
About the Role
We are seeking a seasoned Customs and Trade Specialist with over 10 years of hands-on experience in international trade and customs operations. This role is part of a dynamic team within the Customs, Trade & Compliance department at a leading automotive company. You will play a critical role in driving operational efficiencies, enhancing compliance, and leveraging data-driven strategies to solve complex trade challenges.
As a subject matter expert, you will collaborate closely with cross-functional project teams, bringing deep domain expertise and strategic insight to support key initiatives.Key Responsibilities

• Act as a subject matter expert on customs regulations and trade operations within an internal Customs and Trade department.
• Review and assess import/export documentation, permits, and licenses to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, including accurate classification and valuation of goods.
• Mitigate risk by managing specialized commodities, identifying potential compliance issues, and implementing corrective actions to avoid penalties.
• Oversee critical duties/taxes payments, in full compliance with customs regulations and internal guidelines, through accurate calculations, timely payment, proper documentation and related activities.
• Enhance communication and data exchange between customs, brokers, and internal/external stakeholders to streamline operations.
• Stay current with evolving customs laws, tariffs, and regulations—including the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) –and proactively update stakeholders and project teams.
• Apply knowledge of free trade agreements to optimize trade strategies and compliance.
• Lead and participate in problem-solving initiatives related to customs, logistics, and process improvement.
• Collaborate with technical teams to design and implement data-driven solutions, including gathering requirements, validating data, testing, and supporting deployment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in customs and trade, with a strong track record of success.
• Expertise in import/export coordination, free trade zones, and international trade risk mitigation.
• Deep understanding of customs regulations, tariffs, and HTS classification.
• Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively in cross-functional, regulated, and complex environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Business, Information Systems, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in data analytics and visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI.
• Advanced degree (MBA or MS) in Finance, Business, or related discipline.
• Prior experience in the automotive industry.
• Active membership in professional trade organizations.