Trade Compliance Director

QTC Recruitment; Eindhoven; On-site; EUR 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

QTC Recruitment is seeking a Trade Compliance Director to lead the EU non-defence side of a global imaging and high-tech business. You will shape the programme, drive licensing, classifications and governance, and partner with Engineering, Operations, Contracts and Legal to balance regulatory compliance with commercial objectives.

The role requires 12+ years in international trade/export compliance, global team leadership, and a deep knowledge of EU dual-use, EAR, ITAR and OFAC.

Qualifications

• 12+ years' experience in international trade/export compliance.
• Leadership experience managing compliance teams in a global environment.
• Background in high-technology environments including imaging, semiconductor, and electronics
• Strong stakeholder management and programme leadership skills, able to influence at GM, VP and President level.
• Ability to balance regulatory compliance with commercial objectives.
• Extensive technical knowledge of EU dual-use and EAR regulations
• Willing to travel internationally up to 25%

Responsibilities

• Lead and continuously improve the global trade compliance programme across multiple international business units.
• Serve as the primary trade compliance advisor to executive leadership.
• Manage export licensing, jurisdiction and classification activities.
• Ensure compliance with EU Dual-Use, EU Military Controls, ITAR, EAR, OFAC and Canadian export regulations.
• Oversee sanctions screening, technology transfers, deemed exports and recordkeeping.
• Develop policies, procedures, KPIs and governance frameworks.
• Lead internal audits, investigations, voluntary disclosures and corrective actions.
• Identify compliance risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Drive process improvements and standardisation across global sites.
• Partner with Engineering, Operations, Contracts, HR, Legal, Business Development and Customs teams.
• Lead, mentor and develop international trade compliance professionals.

Skills

Leadership experience

Stakeholder management

Global team leadership

Regulatory compliance knowledge

Travel readiness

Job description

QTC are supporting a global high-tech business developing advanced imaging, sensing and engineered solutions serving defence and non-defence markets. We are currently supporting them on identiftying a new Trade Compliance Director to lead the EU non-defence side of the business primarily focused on dual-use and non-controlled commerical products. This role reports directly into the Chief Trade Compliance Counsel in the US and oversees a team of up to 15 direct/indirect reports within export controls and sanctions screening.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and continuously improve the global trade compliance programme across multiple international business units.
• Serve as the primary trade compliance advisor to executive leadership.
• Manage export licensing, jurisdiction and classification activities.
• Ensure compliance with EU Dual-Use, EU Military Controls, ITAR, EAR, OFAC and Canadian export regulations.
• Oversee sanctions screening, technology transfers, deemed exports and recordkeeping.
• Develop policies, procedures, KPIs and governance frameworks.
• Lead internal audits, investigations, voluntary disclosures and corrective actions.
• Identify compliance risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Drive process improvements and standardisation across global sites.
• Partner with Engineering, Operations, Contracts, HR, Legal, Business Development and Customs teams.
• Lead, mentor and develop international trade compliance professionals.

Candidate Profile:

• 12+ years' experience in international trade/export compliance.
• Leadership experience managing compliance teams in a global environment.
• Background in high-technology environments including imaging, semiconductor, and electronics
• Strong stakeholder management and programme leadership skills, able to influence at GM, VP and President level.
• Ability to balance regulatory compliance with commercial objectives.
• Extensive technical knowledge of EU dual-use and EAR regulations
• Willing to travel internationally up to 25%