Customs Compliance Manager

The Customs Compliance Manager leads the development, implementation, and ongoing administration of the Company’s U.S. customs compliance and import program. This role serves as the principal internal resource for U.S. customs matters and helps ensure that TGW meets its responsibilities as a U.S. importer of record. 

The Customs Compliance Manager oversees tariff classification, customs valuation, recordkeeping, broker and service-provider management, entry controls, internal audits, regulatory monitoring, training, and corrective actions. The position works cross-functionally with logistics, supply chain, engineering, procurement, finance, tax, accounting, legal, and information technology personnel to support compliant and efficient import operations. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops, implements, and maintains a risk-based U.S. customs compliance program, including written policies, procedures, internal controls, escalation protocols, and periodic testing.

• Serves as the Company’s internal subject matter expert regarding importer-of-record obligations, reasonable care, entry requirements, and other U.S. customs compliance matters.

• Leads and oversees tariff classification activities under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), including application of the General Rules of Interpretation, relevant legal notes, explanatory materials, and administrative rulings.

• Oversees customs valuation analyses, including transaction value, related-party transactions, assists, royalties, freight and insurance, post-importation adjustments, and coordination with transfer-pricing processes.

• Establishes and maintains supporting records for classification, valuation, country of origin, marking, admissibility, duty payment, and other entry data.

• Administers customs recordkeeping and document-retention controls to ensure that required records are complete, organized, retrievable, and maintained for the applicable retention period.

• Manages and monitors customs brokers, freight forwarders, sureties, software providers, and other third-party service providers, including broker instructions, powers of attorney, performance reviews, and entry-data quality.

• Oversees access to and use of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), including importer reporting, account administration, entry monitoring, and audit support.

• Implements and manages a U.S. Customs and Border Protection periodic monthly statement program.

• Conducts periodic compliance reviews, post-entry testing, risk assessments, and correctiveaction follow-up; identifies potential errors and coordinates appropriate escalation and remediation.

• Coordinates responses to U.S. Customs and Border Protection inquiries, requests for information, notices of action, audits, and other compliance reviews, in consultation with internal and external advisors as appropriate.

• Monitors changes in U.S. customs laws, regulations, tariff measures, agency guidance, and enforcement priorities; translates developments into practical business requirements.

• Develops and delivers customs compliance training for relevant personnel and promotes consistent compliance practices across business functions.

• Supports the evaluation, implementation, and operation of customs technology, including potential importer self-filing capabilities and integration with related business systems.

• Identifies lawful opportunities to improve import processes, reduce administrative burden, enhance data quality, and manage duty exposure.

• Performs other duties as required. 

Education: Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Experience: At least ten (10) years of experience as a licensed customs broker or in an equivalent role with responsibility for overseeing U.S. customs compliance and import programs; an active U.S. Customs Broker License is required.

Travel: 10% of travel as required.  Some international travel possible.

Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated proficiency in HTSUS classification, the General Rules of Interpretation, customs valuation, and customs recordkeeping requirements.

• Strong working knowledge of U.S. customs entry processes, importer-of-record responsibilities, ACE, and the management of customs brokers or other customs service providers.

• Experience developing, implementing, or administering written customs compliance policies, procedures, and internal controls.

• Ability to analyze complex customs issues, exercise sound judgment, communicate practical recommendations, and manage matters through completion.

• Strong written and verbal communication, organizational, project-management, and crossfunctional collaboration skills.

• Experience with importer self-filing software programs, customs compliance platforms, or electronic entry-filing systems.

• Experience supporting imports of machinery, automation equipment, industrial products, components, or other technically complex merchandise.

• Experience with related-party transactions, intercompany customs valuation, and coordination between customs valuation and transfer pricing. 

• Experience with country-of-origin and marking requirements, trade remedies, free trade agreements, duty-savings programs, post-entry processes, protests, prior disclosures, or customs audits.

• Experience leading a customs compliance function within a multinational or multi-entity organization.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to remain stationary at a desk for prolonged periods of time.

• Ability to go to site frequently and move safely around industrial and/or warehouse environment.

• Ability to lift and carry supplies up to 25 pounds at a time.  

• Ability to operate computers, tablets, phones, and other electronic devices.  

• Ability to communicate with others verbally and in writing, on a frequent basis.  

• Ability to tolerate exposure to job site temperature fluctuations due to seasonal weather in geographic region.

The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Other Requirements

This position may require work at TGW customer sites.  TGW’s customers may require background checks before accessing their sites.  Refusal to participate in a customer-required background check may result in a customer barring access and a subsequent reduction in work.

Equal Opportunity Employer

TGW Systems Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.