Senior Trade Compliance Specialist

Finning International; Surrey; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work opportunity

Pension plan

Employee stock purchase plan

Health benefits

Job summary

Finning Canada seeks a Senior Trade Compliance Specialist to lead customs compliance across Canada and the United States, guiding complex trade matters with independence and strategic insight.

You will work with CBSA, CBP, brokers and OEM partners, driving risk mitigation while mentoring the team and enhancing frameworks.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in International Trade, Logistics, Business or related field.
• 10+ years in customs, trade compliance, export controls and duty recovery.
• Certifications (CITP/FIBP) are an asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead trade compliance leadership and process ownership across Finning entities.
• Provide strategic guidance on tariff changes, SIMA, and regulatory developments.
• Mentor team members and drive process improvements and governance.

Skills

Trade compliance strategic thinking

Tariff classification

Origin determination

USMCA qualification

Data analysis

Regulatory guidance

Power BI

Education

Diploma or degree in International Trade, Logistics, Business

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Job description

Company: Finning Canada Number of Openings: 1 Worker Type: Permanent Position Overview

Finning Canada is seeking an experienced Senior Trade Compliance Specialist to join our team. This is a senior‑level, individual‑contributor role for a trade compliance expert who thrives in complexity, operates with independence, and brings both strategic insight and hands‑on execution to customs and global trade matters across Canada and the United States. As a trusted internal consultant and subject matter expert, you will guide Finning’s business units (OEM, SITECH, and Power Systems) through high‑risk and technically complex trade scenarios while strengthening compliance frameworks, reducing duty exposure, and driving operational excellence.

What we can offer you

• Great people and place to work with a hybrid work opportunity
• Career advancement and training opportunities
• Pension and employee stock purchase plans with company contributions
• Extensive health benefits including group medical and dental benefits, and short-term and long-term disability benefits

For this position, the expected salary range is between $90,000 to $100,000 annually with an additional bonus.

Job Description

Why Join Finning?

• Enterprise‑level impact across multiple business entities
• Autonomy to shape strategy, process, and governance
• Direct interaction with CBSA, CBP, brokers, consultants, and OEM partners
• The opportunity to mentor and elevate technical capability across the Trade Compliance team

What You’ll Do

• Trade Compliance Leadership & Process Ownership (≈85%) Own and govern all customs compliance processes across Finning entities, ensuring alignment with current CBSA and CBP regulations Act as the senior technical expert for Canadian and U.S. customs matters, including: Tariff classification & valuation Origin determination & USMCA qualification SIMA, surtax, PGAs, export controls, and duty programs Independently manage high‑complexity HS classification, including new product introductions, kits and assemblies, tariff shifts, and multi‑program eligibility reviews Provide strategic guidance on tariff changes, SIMA applicability, valuation adjustments, and regulatory developments Own and govern the USMCA qualification and review process for manufactured and remanufactured products Manage Finning’s CARM account, ensuring compliance, financial security, and system accuracy Lead detailed audits of broker entries, classifications, valuations, and origin documentation to identify risks and drive corrective action Serve as Finning’s primary technical contact with CBSA, CBP, customs brokers, Caterpillar, and external advisors Design and implement process improvements and compliance frameworks that enhance accuracy, efficiency, and risk mitigation Provide advanced technical mentorship to Trade Compliance Specialists, reducing reliance on management for complex decisions
• Duty Recovery & Cost Optimization (≈10%) Lead technical analysis to identify duty recovery, conditional relief, drawback, and end‑use opportunities Evaluate parts, assemblies, and product families to determine program eligibility and compliance requirements Partner with Caterpillar and customs consultants on complex recovery initiatives Analyze sales and part‑level data to ensure recovery claims are audit‑ready Quantify financial impact and clearly communicate duty savings opportunities to the business
• Operational Escalation & Risk Management (≈5%) Act as the primary escalation point for high‑risk and high‑value trade issues, including SIMA scope, PGAs, temporary imports, CERS, export controls, and valuation disputes Review and approve classification, valuation, and duty accuracy for high‑value vendor invoices Provide hands‑on support during urgent or business‑critical shipments Coordinate with Treasury on customs bonds and duty payments to prevent financial exposure

What You’ll Be Accountable For

• Maintaining expert‑level knowledge of Canadian and U.S. trade regulations
• Translating regulatory change into clear, actionable guidance
• Proactively identifying compliance risks and implementing mitigation plans
• Delivering data‑driven insights, reports, and recommendations to stakeholders
• Acting as a trusted internal consultant and thought partner to the business
• Supporting continuous improvement, SOP development, and best practices
• Safeguarding Finning against penalties, delays, and reputational risk

What You Bring

Skills & Capabilities

• Strategic thinker with strong independent judgment and decision‑making ability
• Highly analytical with exceptional attention to detail
• Clear, confident communicator with strong presentation and training skills
• Collaborative influencer able to drive change across functions
• High ethical standards and the confidence to advocate for compliance

Technical Knowledge & Expertise

• Deep expertise in Canadian and U.S. customs regulations, tariff schedules, GIRs, D‑Memos, WCO notes, SIMA, valuation, and surtax
• Advanced understanding of USMCA and free trade agreement qualification
• Strong knowledge of HS codes, ECCNs, ECL, and export controls
• Experience with duty recovery and minimization programs
• Familiarity with PGAs (EPA, FDA, CFIA, DOT, HC, CGP, Environment Canada)
• Solid understanding of supply chain, logistics, reverse logistics, and INCOTERMS
• Proven ability to lead audits, amendments, and ruling‑based decisions

Education & Experience

• Diploma or degree in International Trade, Logistics, Business, or related field
• 10+ years of experience in customs, trade compliance, export controls, and duty recovery
• Professional certifications (or working toward): Certified Customs Specialist Certified Trade Compliance Specialist Customs Export Specialist
• Experience with CARM and Single Window (strong asset)
• CITP / FIBP as an asset
• Experience writing ruling requests and responding to ruling decisions
• Familiarity with U.S. export regulations, AES filings, and reporting
• Licensed Customs Broker or Control Goods Program experience (asset)
• Strong proficiency in Excel and Power BI, including reporting, pivots, and data analysis
• Ready to Make an Impact? If you’re a seasoned trade compliance professional who enjoys solving complex problems, influencing at scale, and protecting the business while enabling growth, we’d love to hear from you.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we actively encourage all individuals to express themselves and achieve their full potential.

As a company, we continuously strive to enhance our outreach to individuals of all backgrounds and identities.

We do not discriminate against applicants based on gender identity, race, national and ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, marital and family status, and/or mental or physical disabilities.

Furthermore, Finning is committed to collaborating with and providing reasonable accommodations /adjustments to individuals with disabilities.

If you require an adjustment/accommodation at any point during the recruitment process, please inform your recruiter.

About Us

Finning is the world's largest Caterpillar dealer delivering unrivalled service for over 80 years. The company sells, rents and provides parts and service for equipment and engines to customers in various industries, including mining, construction, petroleum, forestry and a wide range of power systems applications. Finning employs approximately 14,500 people world-wide and operates in three geographies, with the head office in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

OUR DIVISIONS

Finning International Inc. is the corporate head office of the publicly traded corporation, which is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol: FTT. Finning Canada is the authorized dealer for Caterpillar products in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories, and a portion of Nunavut. Finning South America is the authorized dealer for Caterpillar products in Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia. Finning UK and Ireland is the authorized dealer for Caterpillar products in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Rental of equipment is facilitated through the dealership locations as well as The Cat Rental Store locations in Finning Canada and Finning South America. OEM Remanufacturing - OEM, a Finning enterprise, is one of North America's most advanced engine and powertrain component remanufacturing providers and is located in Edmonton, Alberta.