Global Director Customs & Export Control (f/m/d)

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies; Weinheim; On-site; EUR 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance Related Bonus

International Opportunities

Personal Development

Diversity & Inclusion

Sustainability & Social Commitment

Job summary

Corteco GmbH in Weinheim is seeking a Global Director Customs & Export Control to lead the worldwide trade compliance function. Reporting to the CFO, you will define governance, standards, and capabilities to support Freudenberg Group's global operations across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

You will build robust processes, train local experts, monitor audits, and drive data-based performance with KPIs, ensuring regulatory alignment and sustainable growth of the FAM business.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of leadership experience in Customs, Export Control, Trade Compliance, or International Trade within a global industrial context.
• Strong expertise in export controls, customs regulations, foreign trade law, sanctions, and licensing.
• Proven track record of building, transforming or harmonizing compliance frameworks across regions.
• Strategic mindset balancing regulatory requirements, operational efficiency, and business growth.
• Strong stakeholder management with cross-functional collaboration across Finance, Supply Chain, Procurement, Commercial and Leadership.

Responsibilities

• Own the Global CECMS and lead the Trade Compliance function with governance aligned to Freudenberg Group standards.
• Drive Global Governance with consistent customs and export control standards across regions.
• Develop global tools and processes to improve transparency, efficiency, and risk management.
• Build capability through training for local customs experts and business stakeholders.
• Lead continuous improvement and monitor remediation actions for audits and investigations.
• Use data to steer performance with global KPIs and advise leadership on trade compliance matters.

Skills

Leadership experience

Export controls

Customs regulations

Trade compliance

Stakeholder management

Strategic mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, International Trade, Law or related field

Job description

Working at Freudenberg: "We will wow your world!" This is our promise. As a global technology group, we not only make the world cleaner, healthier and more comfortable, but also offer our 52,000 employees a networked and diverse environment where everyone can thrive individually. Be surprised and experience your own wow moments.

Corteco is an internationally leading supplier in the open automotive replacement parts market. As a subsidiary of the global Freudenberg Group, we supply over 26,000 articles in OEM quality. In seals and vibration control technology as well as cabin air filters, this makes the product range of an original equipment manufacturer available to independent workshops and replacement parts dealers as well. Corteco is represented with its own sales offices in over 15 countries. Through the Freudenberg Group, we reach customers in 60 countries around the world.

Some of your Benefits

• Performance Related Bonus: When you have an impact, you can reap the rewards.
• International Opportunities: Grow in your career through international exchange and global job opportunities.
• Personal Development: We offer a variety of trainings to ensure you can develop in your career.
• Diversity & Inclusion: We focus on providing an inclusive environment and recognize our diversity contributes to our success.
• Sustainability & Social Commitment: We support social and sustainable projects and encourage employee involvement.

Weinheim

Pinerolo

Hybrid Work

Corteco GmbH

Build a Global Function. Shape a New Business.

Freudenberg Aftermarket (FAM) is a newly established Business Group bringing together aftermarket activities from across the Freudenberg Group into one focused global organization.

Global Director Customs & Export Control (f/m/d)

We are looking for a strategic Global Director Customs & Export Control to build and lead our global trade compliance function. Reporting to the CFO, you will define the governance, standards, and capabilities that support a growing international business across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Responsibilities

• Own the Global CECMS: Lead and continuously evolve FAM’s Customs & Export Control Management System, ensuring policies, procedures, controls, and guidelines remain current with regulatory changes and Freudenberg Group standards.
• Drive Global Governance: Roll out consistent customs and export control standards across all regions and legal entities, with clear governance to monitor adherence and compliance maturity.
• Enable Process Excellence: Develop global tools, standardized processes, and digital solutions that improve transparency, efficiency, risk management, and operational consistency.
• Build Capability: Train and guide local customs experts and business stakeholders, strengthening knowledge sharing, best-practice exchange, and a proactive compliance culture.
• Lead Continuous Improvement: Identify risk areas and inefficiencies, implement corrective measures, benchmark against regulatory and industry standards, and track effectiveness.
• Ensure Audit Readiness: Monitor audit findings, self-assessments, investigations, and remediation actions, ensuring timely resolution and sustainable implementation.
• Use Data to Steer Performance: Establish global KPIs, derive optimization initiatives, support GRC-related projects, and advise Finance, Supply Chain, Procurement, Commercial, and Leadership teams on trade compliance matters.

Qualifications

• University degree in Business Administration, International Trade, Logistics, Law, or a related field.
• 5+ years of leadership experience in Customs, Export Control, Trade Compliance, or International Trade within a global industrial, manufacturing, distribution, or aftermarket environment.
• Strong expertise in export controls, customs regulations, foreign trade law, sanctions, preferential origin, tariff classification, customs valuation, and import/export licensing.
• Proven track record of building, transforming, or harmonizing compliance frameworks, processes, and governance structures across regions or business units.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to balance regulatory requirements, operational efficiency, supply chain performance, and business growth.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with experience partnering across Finance, Supply Chain, Procurement, Commercial, and Leadership teams.

Equal Opportunity

The Freudenberg Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion.

Employment opportunities are available to all applicants and associates without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.