Import Operations Manager

Trade Compliance Recruiting Solutions; United States; Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Trade Compliance Recruiting Solutions is seeking an Import Operations Manager to lead the daily operations of a growing U.S. customs brokerage division.

The role bridges local operations with the global parent company, ensuring strict CBP compliance and accurate entry filings. Based near Hazlet, NJ, this hybrid position emphasizes leadership, process optimization, and cross-functional collaboration to onboard new clients and resolve billing, service, and clearance issues while maintaining KPIs.

Qualifications

• Active LCB with 5+ years in trade compliance and brokerage.
• Strong end-to-end brokerage operations knowledge.
• Deep CBP and PGA regulatory knowledge.
• Leadership and client relations mindset.
• Proficient with CargoWise One or Descartes.
• Excellent cross-cultural written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of customs entry writers and act as escalation point for complex entries.
• Manage workflow to ensure timely and accurate entry filings.
• Monitor remote and local team performance and train staff on changing U.S. customs regulations.
• Oversee accounting and banking procedures.
• Ensure compliance with CBP rules and regulations, including HTS, COO, valuation, FTA, PGAs.
• Manage customs bonds and powers of attorney.
• Audit entry files regularly to maintain SOPs.
• Respond to CF28/29 and liquidations.
• Report operational KPIs to headquarters and align local workflows with corporate strategy.
• Onboard new import clients and resolve billing, service, and clearance issues.

Skills

Team leadership

Customs brokerage knowledge

CBP/regulations knowledge

Operations management

People management

Effective communication

Staff training

Education

Active Licensed Customs Broker (LCB)

Tools

CargoWise One

Descartes

Job description

HIGH-LEVEL OVERVIEW

The Import Operations Manager is responsible for leading the daily operations of a growing U.S. customs brokerage division. This position liaises between local operations and the global parent company, ensuring compliance with CBP and government agencies’ rules and regulations. This is a hybrid position based near Hazlet, NJ.

EXPECTATIONS

• Lead a team of customs entry writers and serve as the escalation point for complex entries
• Manage workflow to ensure timely and accurate entry filings
• Monitor remote and local team performance and train staff on changing U.S. customs regulations
• Oversee accounting and banking procedures
• Ensure compliance with CBP rules and regulations, including HTS, COO, and valuation, FTA, PGAs
• Manage customs bonds & powers of attorney
• Audit entry files regularly to maintain standard operating procedures
• Respond to CF28/29 and liquidations
• Report operational KPIs to headquarters and align local workflows with corporate strategy
• Onboard new import clients and resolve billing, service, and clearance issues

ESSENTIALS

• Active Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) required
• 5+ years of experience in trade compliance and brokerage
• Strong understanding of end of end brokerage operations
• In depth knowledge of CBP and PGA processes and regulations
• Strong leadership and customer relations mindset
• Proficiency with CargoWise One or Descartes highly preferred
• Excellent cross-cultural written and verbal communication skills