What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vice President Operations position at Altius Talent | Freight Forwarding Recruitment?
VP of Operations – Licensed Customs Broker
New York, NY | International Freight Forwarder | Start-Up Customs Operation
This is not a role for someone looking to inherit a finished department.
We are working with an established international freight forwarder that is launching its US customs brokerage operation in New York and is looking for a Vice President of Operations to build it properly from the ground up.
The successful person must hold an active US Customs Broker License and be comfortable operating at both a strategic and hands-on level.
Initially, you will be directly involved in customs entries, compliance, customer onboarding, SOP creation and day-to-day problem solving. As the operation grows, you will recruit and lead the team, develop the brokerage function and take full ownership of customs operations across the United States.
The Role
You will be responsible for:
- Launching and developing the company’s US customs brokerage operation
- Taking ownership of customs compliance across the US business
- Remaining hands-on with customs entries during the start-up phase
- Building processes, procedures and internal controls
- Establishing relationships with CBP and relevant regulatory bodies
- Supporting the onboarding of new customers and major accounts
- Recruiting, training and managing a customs brokerage team
- Working closely with senior leadership to shape the US operating strategy
- Ensuring the operation is commercially successful, compliant and scalable
What We Are Looking For
- An active US Customs Broker License
- Strong customs brokerage and regulatory compliance experience
- Experience managing or building customs operations
- A detailed understanding of CBP regulations, classifications, valuation and entry procedures
- A genuinely hands-on approach
- The ability to operate effectively in a start-up environment
- Strong commercial awareness and customer-facing skills
- An entrepreneurial mindset and the confidence to make decisions
- Based within the New York metropolitan area
This is a rare opportunity to take complete ownership of a new US customs operation while benefiting from the backing, network and customer base of an international freight forwarding business.
The long-term opportunity is significant. The right person will have the autonomy to build the department, shape the team and become a major part of the company’s US leadership structure.
To discuss the position confidentially, please apply or contact James Hughes at Altius Talent.
Salary : $140,000 - $150,000