Director of Global Trade Compliance

Global Manufacturing | Export Controls | Sanctions | Customs

Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder)

We are recruiting for a Director of Global Trade Compliance to lead international trade compliance for a global manufacturing organization with operations spanning the United States, Canada, Europe, China, and India.

This is a senior leadership role with broad responsibility across export controls, economic sanctions, customs, import/export compliance, trade agreements, regulatory risk, and trade compliance technology. The Director will work closely with Legal and executive leadership while partnering across Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance, Sales, and Service.

The Role

You will be responsible for building consistency across a complex international trade environment while making sure global operations remain aligned with changing regulatory requirements.

Key responsibilities include:

Set direction for global trade compliance, export controls, sanctions, customs, and import/export programs
Manage compliance activities across multiple countries and business units, including jurisdiction and classification, part tracking, end-use/end-user reviews, and customer and supplier screening
Provide leadership for global customs programs involving CTPAT, customs valuation, trade agreements, security requirements, and import compliance
Establish consistent trade policies, procedures, documentation, and recordkeeping practices across international operations
Guide implementation of new export control, sanctions, customs, and international trade regulations
Lead and develop trade compliance professionals supporting operations in the U.S., Canada, Europe, China, India, and other markets
Oversee trade compliance risk assessments, customs audits, internal reviews, government inquiries, and corrective actions
Work directly with customs authorities, government agencies, brokers, logistics providers, trade consultants, and outside legal counsel
Provide guidance and training to leadership and teams across Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, and other business functions
Oversee the systems and technology supporting trade compliance, including ERP, customs documentation, trade compliance software, and EDI platforms
Improve and automate compliance processes while maintaining appropriate controls
Serve as a senior trade compliance resource to Legal and business leadership as regulations and business requirements change

What We're Looking For

10+ years of trade compliance experience
4+ years of senior leadership experience
Significant depth in global sanctions and export controls
Experience leading or developing global trade compliance programs
Direct experience with customs and import/export compliance
Extensive knowledge of U.S., Canadian, and EU sanctions and export control requirements
Knowledge of customs regulations, trade agreements, customs valuation, international trade logistics, and import/export requirements
Experience with jurisdiction and classification, end-use/end-user reviews, and customer/supplier screening
Experience with CTPAT, customs audits, compliance assessments, regulatory inquiries, and trade risk management
Experience interacting with government agencies, customs authorities, export/sanctions authorities, customs brokers, and external trade advisors
Experience managing and developing teams across multiple countries or regions
Advanced proficiency with ERP systems, trade compliance platforms, customs documentation software, and EDI
Ability to work effectively with executive leadership and cross-functional teams in a global manufacturing environment

Additional Qualifications

An advanced degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline is preferred. A Certified Customs Specialist (CCS) designation or other international trade compliance certification is also valued.

A law degree and related legal experience can be beneficial but are not required.

Relevant Expertise

If your background combines global export controls and sanctions with customs and import/export compliance and you've led teams across multiple regions—this role offers the opportunity to take ownership of trade compliance across a complex international manufacturing operation.

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Director of Global Trade Compliance

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