Director, Trade Compliance (International)

Position Summary Lead our client’s trade compliance function across critical markets—unlocking market access, strengthening customer trust, and driving cost leadership to accelerate utility-scale solar growth. Set the vision and operating model for an import-centric program in the United States, Canada, and Australia, with oversight across APAC and Oceania. Combine executive leadership with hands-on expertise: direct day-to-day customs execution; advance duty-optimization initiatives (e.g., First Sale for Export and Section 232); steward one global center of excellence (e.g. classification, valuation, or duty optimization); and enable cross-functional decisions that keep product moving compliantly and competitively.

Core Responsibilities Strategy & Governance — Define the multi-year trade-compliance strategy; establish policies, SOPs and internal controls that translate regulations into scalable, auditable processes across regions. U.S. Import & IOR Leadership (U.S./CA/AU) — Own importer-of-record programs and oversee day-to-day customs execution (entries, ISF, reconciliation, records), engaging directly with customs authorities to ensure timely, accurate clearances. Global Discipline Centre of Excellence — Lead one enterprise trade specialty (classification, origin, valuation, or duty-optimization); maintain rulings and master data; issue authoritative guidance and coach regional teams on complex determinations. Duty Optimization & Special Programs — Drive compliant savings through tariff engineering, preferential trade (e.g., USMCA/FTAs), Chapter 98, drawback, First Sale for Export, and Section 232 (steel) compliance; prepare recommendation memos and secure cross-functional adoption. Regulatory & Legal Engagement — Monitor and interpret trade laws, sanctions and trade-remedy actions; brief executives on impacts and options; coordinate company responses to regulatory inquiries and assessments in partnership with Legal. Customs Broker & External Advisor Management — Select, contract and performance-manage customs brokers; direct outside counsel and consultants for rulings, interpretations and specialized matters. Trade Data, Systems & Analytics — Govern accuracy of HTS/ECCN/COO and related attributes in ERP/GTM; deploy dashboards and controls that surface anomalies, support landed-cost decisions and provide executive-level reporting. Supply-Chain Security & CTPAT Implementation — Lead the roadmap to achieve and sustain CTPAT Importer certification, coordinating physical, procedural and IT-security criteria with internal teams and business partners. Export Control & Sanctions Oversight (limited outbound) — Maintain a proportionate export-control framework (ECCN determinations, screening, licensing where required, and records) to support occasional exports. Executive Stakeholder Management & Business Enablement — Influence sourcing, engineering, logistics and commercial decisions; integrate compliance requirements into new products, sourcing shifts, systems projects and M&A due diligence to accelerate compliant market access.

Qualifications & Skills Education: Bachelor’s in International Trade, Supply Chain, Business or related field Experience: 10+ years progressive trade-compliance experience with substantial, hands-on U.S. customs ownership and leadership of cross-regional programs. Credentials: U.S. Licensed Customs Broker strongly preferred; CCS/CES or similar certifications a plus. Regulatory Expertise: Deep knowledge of 19 CFR, HTSUS, ACE, USMCA, AD/CVD, Section 232, First Sale for Export, and U.S. export-control/sanctions frameworks. Systems & Analytics: Proficiency with ERP (especially Oracle), GTM solutions and ACE/CARM portals; strong data-analysis skills and comfort with dashboards. Leadership & Influence: Proven ability to advise executives, set enterprise standards and lead change across functions and regions. Supply-Chain Insight: Solid understanding of end-to-end logistics and Incoterms to partner effectively with operations. Travel: Up to 15 percent (domestic and occasional international)