Customs Brokerage Manager

800 Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and welfare programs

401(k) retirement plan

Tuition assistance

Incentive compensation

Job summary

Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, Inc. in Chicago seeks a seasoned Senior Customs Brokerage Manager to lead a team responsible for regulatory compliance, costing, and service delivery across global trade lanes. You will supervise staff, ensure CSOP compliance, manage budgeting and forecasting, and partner with Sales and Account Management to optimize pricing and service quality.

A valid U.S. Customs Broker License is required; Bachelor's degree in Business or Logistics is preferred; 5+ years of

Qualifications

• Excellent knowledge of customs brokerage processes and U.S. regulations.
• Strong leadership and team-management abilities.
• Analytical mindset with cost and revenue awareness.

Responsibilities

• Directly or indirectly manages all Customs Brokerage staff within the department.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and CSOP adherence across operations.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and invoicing to optimize working capital and profitability.
• Collaborate with Account Management and Sales on pricing and service delivery.
• Coach and develop team members to maintain high performance and standards.

Skills

English proficiency

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

Coaching skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Logistics/Transportation

High School Diploma or GED

Active U.S. Customs Broker License (LCB)

Tools

MS Office

Job description

About Us Ready to rock the future with us? At Hellmann we put our people at the heart of everything we do, because for us, relationship matters. Joining us does not just mean becoming part of a global company. It is an invitation to shape the future of the logistics industry together with us. Our Hellmann culture is based on our four values: Caring, Entrepreneurial, Forward-Thinking and Reliable. These values resonate with yours? Then become part of our FAMILY that consists of around 10.000 employees in more than 200 locations worldwide. For the better. Together. This position has a base compensation range of $110,000.00 to $140,000.00. In addition to this base compensation, you'll benefit from our competitive health and welfare programs, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, opportunities for tuition assistance, and incentive compensation for eligible positions. Salary determination considers your skills, experience, job location, internal pay equity and job architecture. Hellmann Worldwide Logistics regularly reviews our pay ranges against industry standards to ensure fairness.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensures that customs and governmental processes, procedures and activities are performed and managed based on global, country specific and port specific governmental regulations.
• Keeps abreast of laws and regulations regarding brokerage compliance and develop specific programs to ensure that personnel are properly trained and equipped with the knowledge to maintain a compliant environment
• Attends local, regional or national training classes or conferences as needed to enhance skills and retain industry knowledge
• Directly or indirectly manages all Customs Brokerage staff within assigned department
• Ensures product working capital targets are met within assigned department especially targets set for days payable outstanding (DPO) (with product vendors) and days sales outstanding (DSO) (especially on pass-through items)
• Performs timely and accurate costing, revenue estimates, rating, and invoicing, to minimize WIP, DSO, and Bad Debt
• Ensures product operations customer quality goals per Customer Standard Operating Procedure (CSOP) at minimal cost to HWL through effective procurement and routing
• Meets volume and top line product revenue growth targets for assigned department
• Ensures product yield is within target range at both a customer level and in aggregate for assigned department
• Initiates and leads yield improvement process for business below or above target levels
• In conjunction with senior management, peers, tender management, and sales measures, sells, and procures market competitive rates and services.
• Ensures all assigned employees are trained, certified, and re-certified periodically on product SOPs and Quality Management System
• Ensures all financial and quality controls and audits are completed accurately and on-time
• Holds team accountable for developing clear and concise CSOPs Customer Specific Operating document(s) and certifications.
• Consults with Account Management and Sales prior to their agreeing to non-standard services and/or pricing
• Trains and coaches sales and Account Management personnel on external market opportunities or threats, internal strengths and weaknesses, and how to effectively gain market share from HWL competitors on a case by case level or in aggregate
• Professionally manages customer escalations in conjunction with Account Management or Sales
• Performs role of product subject matter expert when communicating with customers in a variety of settings
• Leads or participates in corrective actions as necessary to mitigate the likelihood of revenue or profit loss when business is at risk
• Manages the quality of all product vendors and to ensure business continuity in the event a vendor is unable to perform
• Provides timely analysis to internal and external stakeholders as agreed with respect to assigned product and department
• Responsible for the accuracy and timeliness of product budgeting and forecasting within assigned product department
• Monitors and manages staffing levels and workload allocation across all product teams within assigned department. This includes talent acquisition, furloughing, re-purposing, re-shifting, demotion, promotion, and severance
• Develops team and individuals within the team. Responsible for succession planning at agent, supervisor, and one’s own level
• Performs other duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• This position supervises employees and may supervise temporary employees based on projects.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree (Business, Logistics and Supply Chain, Transportation, or associate field), or equivalent combination of education and work experience will be considered in lieu of educational requirement
• High School Diploma or GED required
• Five - Seven years of experience in a customs brokerage agent position
• Two years of prior experience in a supervisory role required
• Required: Active U.S. Customs Broker License (LCB) in good standing.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES

• Financial acumen - understands business drivers
• Results-oriented - drives strategy and execution
• Leadership - demonstrates professionalism
• Customer-focused
• Organizational skills
• Time management and prioritization
• Adaptable / flexible to high-pressured environment
• Proficient in world geography, shipping documentation, Incoterms, proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Email, and Internet
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English in order to present information to customers, management, and subordinates in a professional setting
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as freight rates, discounts, and other percentages
• Analytical skills / problem-solving ability
• Coaching skills - able to train, coach, and develop subordinates

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Frequently required to stand, and walk
• Regularly required to sit for extended periods
• Regularly uses arms to reach, hands and fingers for computer and phone use
• Speaking clearly and listening for heavy phone contact
• Requires close-up and computer screen distance vision ability
• Requires overnight travel - 20 - 30% Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Inclusion and social diversity are firmly anchored values in our corporate culture. Regardless of gender, age, any disabilities, religion, ethnic origin or sexual identity: We are looking forward to meeting you!

We are a family business for over 150 years. All these years we have relied on our exceptional people in the global Hellmann FAMILY and their unmatched passion and energy to serve our customers.

Our company culture, the Hellmann Promise, is the essence of who we are, driving us to achieve greatness and fostering a sense of belonging that empowers you to thrive! Our Promise does not only include a mission, our values and leadership principles, but also our vision "For the better. Together." It manifests our unique Hellmann culture as the foundation for all our actions and decisions. You will find a diverse and inclusive culture, where you are embraced and respected for who you are. We want you to feel valued, supported, and inspired.