Customs Department Manager

Kuehne+Nagel; Laredo (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) retirement savings plan

Medical and dental benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Employee discounts

Job summary

Kuehne+Nagel is seeking a Customs Department Manager in the United States to optimize import/export processes, oversee documentation, and ensure regulatory compliance. You will lead brokerage teams, guide clients on classifications, and maintain relationships with customs authorities to support efficient operations.

Ideal candidates have a Bachelor's degree in a logistics field, a current LCB certification, and 5+ years of customs brokerage experience, including 2–3 years in leadership.

Qualifications

• Requires Bachelor's degree in international trade or logistics field.
• Minimum 5+ years in customs brokerage with 2–3 years in management.
• Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) certification is required.
• Experience managing a regional or centralized Customs Hub.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the brokerage team to drive performance.
• Oversee department operations, profitability, and customer experience.
• Ensure timely customs entry filings and regulatory adherence.
• Manage client onboarding and SOPs, and maintain profiles.
• Collaborate with global offices and cross-functional teams.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Leadership

ERP systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in International Trade/Business Administration/logistics

Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) certification

Job description

It's more than a job

As a Customs Department Manager at Kuehne+Nagel, your job is to optimise logistics to keep our global supply chains running smoothly. But the impact of your work goes beyond that. In fact, your expertise makes both special and ordinary moments possible for people around the world. For example, your work could ensure that a global product launch happens on time—such as ethically sourced beauty and bath products stocked at local stores for your loved one's valued self-care routine. It's import and export work, but it's also so much more than we imagine.

It's more than a job

As a Customs Department Manager at Kuehne+Nagel, your job is to optimise logistics to keep our global supply chains running smoothly. But the impact of your work goes beyond that. In fact, your expertise makes both special and ordinary moments possible for people around the world. For example, your work could ensure that a global product launch happens on time—such as ethically sourced beauty and bath products stocked at local stores for your loved one's valued self-care routine. It's import and export work, but it's also so much more than we imagine.

As the Customs Department Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing import and export compliance, managing all required documentation (including ACE and CARM), and ensuring the timely clearance of cargo in full adherence to regulatory standards. Additionally, you will lead brokerage teams, provide guidance to clients on tariff classifications and related requirements, and manage relationships with customs authorities to support efficient and compliant operations.

How you create impact

• Lead and develop the brokerage team, driving performance and growth.
• Manage department operations, profitability, and customer experience.
• Prepare business reports, customer reviews, and conduct internal and external meetings.
• Ensure customs compliance through audits, documentation management, and regulatory adherence.
• Oversee timely customs entry filings and manage responses to customs and government inquiries.
• Conduct client onboarding, develop SOPs, and maintain client profiles.
• Optimize shared service center operations and process efficiencies.
• Collaborate with global offices and cross-functional teams to deliver exceptional customer service.
• Perform additional duties and projects as required.

What we would like you to bring

• A Bachelor’s degree in International Trade, Business Administration, or a related logistics field
• 5+ years of experience in customs brokerage in freight forwarding industry, with at least 2–3 years in a management or supervisory capacity
• Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) certification required
• Proven experience in managing a regional or centralized Customs Hub.
• Expertise in HTS classification, U.S. Customs regulations, and trade compliance
• Strong analytical thinking, leadership ability, and proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP/Oracle/CargoWise)

This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for current or future employer sponsorship

What's in it for you

There has never been a better time to work in logistics. Bring your skills to an industry that offers stability and international career growth. We offer a great compensation and medical/dental benefits package, a 401k retirement savings plan, employee discounts, tuition reimbursement, excellent training programs, and a fun, and interesting global work environment.

Kuehne+Nagel participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.

“Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used to assist in specific process [e.g., screening applications, interview scheduling]. These tools analyze information to support decision-making, but final decisions are made by human reviewers.”

Who we are

Logistics shapes everyday life - from the goods we consume to the healthcare we rely on. At Kuehne+Nagel, your work goes beyond logistics; it enables both ordinary and special moments in the lives of people around the world.

As a global leader with a strong heritage and a vision to move the world forward, we offer a safe, stable environment where your career can make a real difference. Whether we help deliver life-saving medicines, develop sustainable transportation solutions or support our local communities, your career will contribute to more than you can imagine.

Kuehne+Nagel is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) and to compliance with all federal, state, and local laws that prohibit workplace discrimination and unlawful retaliation. Kuehne+Nagel strictly prohibits all discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, color, age, national origin, ethnicity, religious creed or belief, physical or mental disability, marital or familial status, legally protected medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical condition), gender (including gender identity and gender expression), sexual orientation, citizenship status, protected activity (such as opposition to or reporting of prohibited discrimination or harassment. Kuehne+Nagel will also make reasonable accommodations for disabled applicants and employees, including accommodations for pregnancy and childbirth, and for the sincerely held religious beliefs of applicants and employees depending upon individual circumstances unless such accommodation would create an undue hardship on Kuehne+Nagel.