Director Trade Compliance

Gateway Recruiting; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Gateway Recruiting seeks a Director of North America Trade Compliance and Programs to lead compliance programs for the US, Mexico, and Canada. You will guide IMMEX, HTS/ECCN classifications, and origin determinations while coordinating with legal, engineering, and supply chain teams.

Responsibilities include developing FTA qualification strategies, overseeing data governance in ERP and trade systems, and managing risk related to tariffs and screening. Travel up to 10% is expected.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in international trade, customs, or supply chain.
• Deep knowledge of HTS, 19 CFR, and USMCA origin rules.
• Significant IMMEX compliance, audit experience, and systems experience.
• US Customs Broker License and/or PMP certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee tariff classification and defensible product classifications.
• Develop and audit FTA qualification strategies and origin determinations.
• Lead and mentor a team of customs professionals.
• Ensure IMMEX regulatory reporting across facilities.
• Govern master data in ERP and trade systems (HTS, ECCN, COO).
• Mitigate risk for tariffs, anti-dumping duties, and screenings.
• Define global trade strategy, controls, and KPIs; liaise with brokers.
• Travel up to 10% as required.

Skills

International trade

HTS/U.S. regulations

Leadership

IMMEX compliance

FTA strategy

Risk management

ERP/SAP knowledge

Education

US Customs Broker License

PMP certification

Tools

SAP

Trade Flow

ECCN/HTS tools

Job description

JOB SUMMARY:

The Director of North America Trade Compliance and Programs will lead programs to ensure compliance with international trade regulations with particular focus on US, Mexico and Canada. This position reports to the General Counsel for Supply Chain and is responsible for IMMEX compliance, origin determinations, customs and export classifications, customs valuation, duty analytics, and free trade agreement qualifications and certificates. This role will drive strategy to optimize duty savings, and customs and export compliance standards along with building improved process for IMMEX compliance. The role bridges supply chain, engineering, and legal teams to translate complex customs regulations into scalable operational programs.

JOB DUTIES:

• Tariff Classification: Oversee the accurate assignment of Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) and Schedule B codes, establish defensible rationales for product classifications and prepare for customs audits.
• Free Trade Agreements (FTA): Develop and audit qualification strategies for FTAs (e.g., USMCA, AGOA), manage supplier solicitation, validate origin determinations, and maximize duty savings.
• Leadership: Lead and mentor a team of customs professionals, ensuring continuous development and high performance.
• IMMEX Regulatory Reporting:Ensure accuracy of?Annex 24 (inventory control) and?Annex 30 (VAT/IEP’S certification) across all Mexico facilities for the company to comply with tax obligations. Stay abreast of industry developments and regulatory changes affecting customs operations.
• Master Data Governance: Enforce compliance within ERP and Global Trade systems (e.g., SAP, Trade Flow, Thomson Reuters, etc.), ensuring seamless integration of HTS, ECCN, and Country of Origin (COO) data.
• Risk Management: Mitigate risk regarding Sections 232/301 tariffs, anti-dumping duties (AD/CVD), and denied party screenings. Monitor and calibrate screening requirements and tools.
• Policy & Reporting: Define global trade strategy for subject areas, set internal controls and KPIs, and serve as liaison with third-party customs brokers.
• Ability to travel up to 10% or as business needs require.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in international trade, customs brokerage, or supply chain.
• Deep understanding of the Harmonized Tariff System (HTS), U.S. Customs Regulations (19 CFR), and USMCA origin rules.
• Significant experience with IMMEX (Annex 24 and SAT) compliance, audit and systems.
• Working Knowledge and experience with ECCN classification, CCATs and BIS regulations.
• A U.S. Customs Broker License and/or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification are heavily preferred.
• SAT IMMEX audit experience is highly valued.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working in a multinational, matrixed environment that values collaboration and relationship building.
• Bi-lingual (Spanish and English)
• People leadership
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate complex data into clear insights and practical actions.
• Expertise working with trade systems, analytics tools, and emerging technologies.
• Track record of developing high performing teams and encouraging curiosity, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Electronics and software experience.
• Manufacturing industry experience.