FTZ Special Operations Manager

Joinimagine; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 106,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Match

Stock Purchase Plan

Medical

Vision

Dental

Paid Time Off

Job summary

DHL Global Forwarding is seeking a FTZ Special Operations Manager to act as the primary SME for complex and non-routine Foreign Trade Zone activities across the U.S. FTZ network.

You will provide advanced technical support, lead escalations, and drive standardization while aligning with regulatory requirements. This role bridges day-to-day FTZ operations with strategic leadership, delivering training, continuous improvement, and cross-functional project support to ensure compliance and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, International Trade, Customs Compliance, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience managing Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) operations, compliance, and inventory control programs.
• Demonstrated experience supporting complex FTZ transactions, operational troubleshooting, regulatory compliance, and audit activities.
• Experience supporting multiple FTZ locations or a national FTZ program strongly preferred.
• Proven track record of leading process improvements, standardization initiatives, and cross-functional projects.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex FTZ operational matters.
• Lead resolution of inventory discrepancies, admissions, withdrawals, exports, zone-to-zone transfers, and other non-standard transactions.
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions on recurring operational issues.
• Provide technical guidance and support to FTZ Operations teams nationwide.
• Ensure consistent interpretation and execution of FTZ procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Support site leaders with operational challenges, implementations, and process improvements.
• Assist with strategic customer requirements involving complex FTZ solutions.
• Participate in customer meetings and solution design discussions.
• Partner with Customs Brokerage, Operations, IT, Finance, Legal, and Compliance teams on specialized projects and customer needs.
• Identify operational gaps, compliance risks, and process inefficiencies.
• Develop and implement scalable solutions that improve quality, compliance, and efficiency.
• Drive standardization and best practices across all FTZ operations.
• Develop SOPs, job aids, and operational guidance documents.
• Deliver training and mentorship to FTZ personnel.
• Maintain a centralized knowledge repository for complex FTZ scenarios and best practices.
• Support FTZ and Customs audit preparation and execution.
• Lead corrective actions resulting from audit findings.
• Proactively identify and mitigate operational and compliance risks.
• Improve resolution of complex FTZ issues.
• Enhance audit readiness and compliance performance.
• Increase operational capability through training and knowledge sharing.
• Improve customer support for strategic and complex FTZ programs.
• Identify and implement efficiency and process improvement opportunities.

Job description

Job Title: FTZ Special Operations Manager

Job Location: Dallas, Texas

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 DHL Group, 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

Position Objective

The FTZ Special Operations Manager will serve as the primary operational subject matter expert for complex and non-routine Foreign Trade Zone activities across the U.S. FTZ network. This role will provide advanced technical support, lead escalated operational issues, drive standardization initiatives, support strategic customer requirements, and strengthen compliance and audit readiness across all FTZ locations.

The position is intended to bridge the gap between day-to-day FTZ operations and strategic FTZ leadership by providing dedicated expertise, issue resolution, training, and continuous improvement support.

Key Responsibilities

Complex Operations & Escalation Management

• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex FTZ operational matters.
• Lead resolution of inventory discrepancies, admissions, withdrawals, exports, zone-to-zone transfers, and other non-standard transactions.
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions on recurring operational issues.

Operational Support & Standardization

• Provide technical guidance and support to FTZ Operations teams nationwide.
• Ensure consistent interpretation and execution of FTZ procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Support site leaders with operational challenges, implementations, and process improvements.

Customer & Cross-Functional Support

• Assist with strategic customer requirements involving complex FTZ solutions.
• Participate in customer meetings and solution design discussions.
• Partner with Customs Brokerage, Operations, IT, Finance, Legal, and Compliance teams on specialized projects and customer needs.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify operational gaps, compliance risks, and process inefficiencies.
• Develop and implement scalable solutions that improve quality, compliance, and efficiency.
• Drive standardization and best practices across all FTZ operations.

Training & Knowledge Management

• Develop SOPs, job aids, and operational guidance documents.
• Deliver training and mentorship to FTZ personnel.
• Maintain a centralized knowledge repository for complex FTZ scenarios and best practices.

Audit & Compliance Support

• Support FTZ and Customs audit preparation and execution.
• Lead corrective actions resulting from audit findings.
• Proactively identify and mitigate operational and compliance risks.

Expected Outcomes

• Improved resolution of complex FTZ issues.
• Greater consistency and standardization across FTZ locations.
• Enhanced audit readiness and compliance performance.
• Increased operational capability through training and knowledge sharing.
• Improved customer support for strategic and complex FTZ programs.
• Identification and implementation of efficiency and process improvement opportunities.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, International Trade, Customs Compliance, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience managing Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) operations, compliance, and inventory control programs.
• Demonstrated experience supporting complex FTZ transactions, operational troubleshooting, regulatory compliance, and audit activities.
• Experience supporting multiple FTZ locations or a national FTZ program strongly preferred.
• Proven track record of leading process improvements, standardization initiatives, and cross-functional projects.

Required Certifications

• Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) designation required.

Technical Knowledge

• Advanced knowledge of Foreign Trade Zone regulations, inventory control and recordkeeping requirements, and FTZ Board regulations.
• Extensive experience managing FTZ admissions, withdrawals, exports, destructions, inventory reconciliations, zone-to-zone transfers, and manufacturing operations.
• Strong understanding of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations and trade compliance requirements.
• Experience with FTZ inventory control systems, warehouse management systems (WMS), and customs compliance platforms.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced Excel skills and reporting tools.

Leadership & Professional Skills

• Recognized subject matter expert capable of providing technical guidance and operational leadership across multiple locations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to conduct detailed root cause analysis and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Proven ability to influence and collaborate across Operations, Customs Brokerage, Compliance, IT, Finance, Legal, and Customer-facing teams.
• Ability to successfully manage multiple priorities, projects, and operational escalations in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong training, coaching, and mentoring capabilities.

Travel Requirements

• Ability to travel domestically up to 30-40% to support FTZ operations, customer implementations, audits, and strategic projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting FTZ manufacturing and production authority programs.
• Experience with customs audits, prior disclosures, focused assessments, and corrective action management.
• Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement certification preferred.
• Experience supporting large-scale logistics, warehousing, or third-party logistics (3PL) operations.

Pay Range: $79,777.50 - $106,370.00+ (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.

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