Director, International Customs Operations

Deutsche Post; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 118,000 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

401(k) Match

Stock Purchase Plan

Medical coverage

Vision coverage

Dental coverage

Paid Time Off

Job summary

DHL Global Forwarding – Columbia facility seeks a Director of International Customs Operations to lead entry processing teams and drive performance. You will oversee station P&L, workflow, and KPI achievement while guiding training and cross-functional collaboration across offshore and on-site teams.

The role requires a strategic, data-driven leader with 10+ years in customs operations, a focus on compliance, and strong communication skills to partner with internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Active U.S. Customs Broker License preferred.
• Strong ability to balance compliance, customer service, and business impact.
• Proven leadership of multi-team operations.

Responsibilities

• Organize and plan daily operations for entry processing teams.
• Monitor shipments and resolve issues in entry processing and records.
• Support Customer Service with incident management.
• Develop training and personnel development plans.
• Drive continuous improvement across operations, including offshore teams.
• Manage accounts receivable and achieve KPIs.

Skills

Strategic vision

Process improvement

Analytical skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Title: Director, International Customs Operations

Job Location: Columbia, South Carolina

DHL Global Forwarding (DGF) manages the flow of goods and information across a customer's global supply chain utilizing air/ocean/ground transportation, customs brokerage services, and dedicated warehousing/distribution centers. We are part of Deutsche Post DHL, the world’s leading logistics provider with operations in over 220 countries. Visit our career site on the web at https://www.logistics.dhl/us-en/home/careers.html

We’re excited to share an opportunity for a Director, International Customs Operations based at our Columbia, SC facility. This leadership role will oversee our customs brokerage entry processing teams, guiding the operation through multiple layers of management and supervision.

The Director will be responsible for Station P&L, Workflow management, team performance, strategic planning, KPI achievement, productivity, coaching, and evaluation. Additionally, this role carries full accountability for the facility’s operational success and profitability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Organize, delegate, and plan daily operations for the team to ensure efficient workflow.
• Monitor shipment status within Entry Processing and Records, identify issues, and ensure timely resolution.
• Support Customer Service with incident and exception management.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external partners.
• Continuously assess team performance and implement improvement plans as needed.
• Identify training needs and create development opportunities to build a highly skilled department.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for operational questions related to serviced accounts.
• Ensure proper customer onboarding is completed before transitioning to regular operational service.
• Drive continuous improvement across all operational processes, including offshore functions.
• Manage HUB customer accounts receivables and address bad debt.
• Develop and maintain customer relationships, including conducting quarterly business reviews with top clients.
• Stay informed of upcoming CBP changes and lead internal updates for training, customer communication, and system adjustments.
• Oversee processing of International Air/Ocean entries and Northern Border Truck shipments.
• Ensure entries are processed in full compliance with CBP regulations, maintaining an error rate below 1%.
• Directly manage staffing and processes to meet KPIs, including centralized, offshore, and decentralized vendor teams.
• Achieve budget targets through effective revenue and cost management.
• Collaborate regularly with senior internal stakeholders on high-impact issues requiring cross-functional coordination.
• Contribute to long-term strategic planning and leverage internal networks to drive results.
• Foster cross-team collaboration, empowerment, and engagement.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 10+ years of relevant industry experience
• Active U.S. Customs Broker License preferred
• Proven ability to develop and execute a strategic vision for customs operations that balances compliance, customer service, commercial impact, and shareholder value
• Demonstrated expertise in process improvement and maintaining operational standards
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication abilities
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant business applications
• Effective leadership and team management skills, including coaching and talent development
• Solid financial acumen, including budgeting and cost management

Pay Range: $118,192.50 - $157,590.00+ (Based on Experience)

Benefits (All Non-Union Employees)

• Compensation: Competitive base salary plus role dependent performance-based incentives.
• 401(k) Match: $1-for-$1 match up to 4% quarterly + 2% annual base contribution.
• Stock Purchase Plan: Ability to purchase Deutsche Post AG shares at a discounted rate.
• Medical: Comprehensive plans covering preventive care, inpatient/outpatient services, and prescriptions.
• Vision: Optional coverage for exams, frames, and contacts.
• Dental: Optional coverage for preventive, basic, and major services.
• Paid Time Off: 7 major holidays, 8 floating holidays, and accrued vacation/sick days.

Why Join DHL Global Forwarding?

At DHL Global Forwarding, we invest in our employees’ growth, providing training, guidance, and career advancement opportunities. We believe in building careers, not just jobs, and empowering our team to develop skills and achieve long-term success.

Be part of DHL Group, the world’s leading logistics provider, operating in 220+ countries. DHL Global Forwarding (DGF) is a global leader in air and ocean freight, with 30,000+ employees ensuring seamless transport and supply chain solutions. Explore careers with us: DHL Careers.

Equal Opportunity Employer

DHL Global Forwarding is committed to equal employment opportunities, evaluating all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.