Director of Global Trade Compliance

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

Global Trade Compliance | Export Controls | Economic Sanctions | Customs Compliance | Import/Export | CTPAT | Customs Valuation | Trade Agreements | Jurisdiction & Classification | End-Use / End-User Screening | Customer & Supplier Screening | Customs Audits | Trade Risk | ERP | Trade Compliance Systems | EDI

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.