Harman

About the Role

The Global Trade Compliance Director (“GTC Director”) is responsible for ensuring HARMAN’s compliance and will be accountable for all customs-related operations and compliance with U.S. import/export laws and other trade / customs laws, rules and regulations in other geographic locations where HARMAN operates. The GTC Director will report to the VP, Regulatory Compliance & Sustainability and will be assigned to one of HARMAN’s U.S. locations but will interface with all of HARMAN’s global trade operations. The GTC Director will also provide strategic advice to HARMAN on various international trade matters, tariff strategy, orchestrate creation, maintenance and training of global trade compliance policies and procedures, M&A due diligence and integration planning, and support HARMAN’s growth from a global export/import compliance perspective.

The successful candidate will serve as a subject matter expert for global trade compliance matters for HARMAN brands, and due to the ever-evolving international trade landscape, the GTC Director will play a key role in developing a best-in-class international trade and customs compliance program. Considerable customs compliance knowledge of North American trade laws is a requirement as well as a basic to intermediate understanding of European and Asian customs operations. Prior experience advising and/or directing overarching global policy while having oversight to regional transactional customs activity is also highly desired. 

Your Team

The GTC Director will initially manage a team of 5 global trade employees and recruit, retain, and develop additional staff that is fit for purpose with respect to HARMAN’s global trade operations.  Some members of the GTC’s team may themselves manage direct reports.

What You Will Do

• Set strategy for the department in conjunction with the VP, Regulatory Compliance consistent with Legal & Compliance strategy and divisional strategy plans.

• Review and develop enhancements to HARMAN’s existing trade compliance program, including development of appropriate metrics and KPIs.

• Drive internal cross functional process improvements required to maintain status in qualified global programs.

• Setting standards, trainings and SOPs related to global product classifications. Oversee external compliance consultant.

• Oversee, confirm or determine and maintain appropriate origin declarations/marking and trade/preference program qualifications (e.g. USMCA, LTSD, etc.) of imported product, components and parts.

• Lead global implementation of any process changes needed to ensure that the business is fully compliant.

• Monitor regulatory and legislative trade changes while maintaining/updating policies and procedures.

• Analyze and monitor trade compliance processes, drive continuous development cycle and standardization.

• Oversee the US Manager’s implementation and compliance with national security programs (e.g. CTPAT, AEO).

• Serve as HARMAN’s primary liaison with government agencies relative to import and export control.

• Analyze applicability and develop mitigation strategies to implement, including duty drawback, Free-Trade-Zones, reconciliation, first sale, etc.

• Develop and present internal compliance training; develop and maintain record keeping processes such as associated databases, reports and documentation to ensure compliance with customs laws and regulations.

• Oversee development of desk operating procedures over trade compliance matters.

• Identify and evaluate opportunities to facilitate trade in a cost-effective and compliant manner.

• Ensure compliance with export/import regulations for the organization (classification, valuation, origin declaration, monitoring, documentation, etc.)

• Identify and drive cost management and duty optimization activities.

• Interpret and communicate regulatory requirements to business stakeholders.

What You Need to Be Successful

• 10+ years of international trade experience, focusing primarily on customs and trade compliance matters.

• 5+ years of experience leading a team or as a project / program manager.

• BA / BS degree or equivalent required (e.g., international policy, international business) or evidence of exceptional ability and/or experience.

• Strategic, creative thinking

• Risk mitigation and risk management experience and expertise

• Well versed in responding to government inquiries.

• Demonstrated ability to deliver practical solutions to solve complex customs issues.

• Detail oriented and highly organized with ability to multi-task several projects at once, including a demonstrated ability to drive decision-making in a fast-paced environment with on-demand requests.

• Ability to drive complex, cross functional projects including setting scope, reaching consensus, executing on tasks, and presenting results.

• Must have ability to manage multiple, competing priorities.

• Strong experience with MS Office Applications, including knowledge of Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.

• Experience with implementing (or at a minimum utilizing) databases and enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) global trade automation solutions.

Bonus Points if You Have

• U.S. Customhouse Broker License strongly preferred.

• Multi-Cultural awareness and ability to adjust communication accordingly.

• Logistics and customs operational experience; export/import activities; documentation; customs brokers and freight forwarder management.

• Records management expertise.

What Makes You Eligible

• Ability to travel as necessary; minimally 15% domestic and international travel required.

• Successfully complete a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment.

What We Offer

• Flexible work environment, allowing for full-time remote work globally for positions that can be performed outside a HARMAN or customer location

• Access to employee discounts on world-class Harman and Samsung products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, etc.)

• Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University

• Competitive wellness benefits

• Tuition reimbursement

• “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program

• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development

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