Import Trade Operations Lead (U.S. & Canada)

Motorola Solutions; Schaumburg (IL); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Incentive Bonus Plans

Medical, Dental, Vision benefits

401K with Company Match

Paid Holidays

Generous Paid Time Off

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Parental & Family Leave

Job summary

Motorola Solutions is seeking an Import Trade Operations Lead in the Chicagoland area for a hybrid in-office role. You will ensure compliance with U.S.

and Canadian import regulations, lead HTS classification efforts, and oversee external brokers to support smooth cross-border imports. The role requires a seasoned professional with extensive regulatory knowledge, strong analytical skills, and the ability to collaborate with procurement, finance, and engineering teams to improve performance and

Qualifications

• Experience: 5+ years of trade compliance focusing on U.S. and Canadian customs operations and import logistics.
• Licensure: A current and valid U.S. Customs Broker License (LCB) is required.
• Regulatory Expertise: Knowledge of U.S. and Canadian (CBSA) import requirements, valuation rules, OGA requirements and tariff classification procedures.
• Preferred Experience: USMCA rules of origin, Foreign Trade Zones, Duty Drawback, Country of Origin determinations, and Incoterms.
• Documentation & Analytical Skills: Auditing import documentation, tariff spend analysis, and reviewing technical product specifications.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Organizational Skills: Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Cross-Border Regulatory Compliance: Oversee and enforce full compliance with CBP, CBSA, and OGAs.
• HTS & Classification: Audit and maintain HTS classifications with third‑party Trade Service, oversee Chapter 99, Section 232, AD/CVD and item database integrity.
• Broker & Vendor Operations: Manage external U.S. and Canadian customs brokers for reviews, declarations, audits, and data aggregation.
• Audit & Financial Reporting: Prepare documentation for duty payment reconciliation and support audits.
• Regulatory Expertise: Maintain up-to-date knowledge of import regulations to optimize compliance and tariff spend.
• Cross-Functional Support: Collaborate with purchasing, logistics, engineering, and finance to resolve delays and drive improvements.
• Prioritization & Time Management: Manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Skills

Trade compliance experience

Customs brokerage knowledge

Cross-border compliance

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Company Overview

At Motorola Solutions, we believe that everything starts with our people. We're a global close-knit community, united by the relentless pursuit to help keep people safer everywhere. We build and connect technologies to help protect people, property and places. Our solutions foster the collaboration that's critical for safer communities, safer schools, safer hospitals, safer businesses, and ultimately, safer nations. Connect with a career that matters, and help us build a safer future.

Department Overview

The Global Logistics and Trade Operations department supports the transport, import, and export operations for all MSI sites. Import Trade Operations is responsible for Import declarations, compliance, and procedures aligned to Government Customs requirements. This position is part of the Supply Chain Procurement Team in the Product Procurement Organization.

Job Description

NOTE: This is a hybrid role - Candidate must reside in the Chicagoland area with the ability to work from the office 3-day per week.

Position Summary

The Import Trade Operations Lead is a critical role responsible for ensuring the company's strict adherence to all U.S. and Canadian import regulations and compliance standards. This position demands a highly experienced professional with a comprehensive understanding of import operations, HTS classification, and customs brokerage procedures. The successful candidate will serve as a subject matter expert, providing guidance and support to internal teams and external partners to facilitate the smooth and compliant import of goods.

Key Responsibilities

• Cross-Border Regulatory Compliance: Oversee and enforce full compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and relevant Other Government Agencies (OGAs).
• Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) & Classification: Audit and maintain accurate U.S. and Canadian HTS tariff classifications in coordination with a third‑party managed Trade Service, overseeing Chapter 99, Section 232, AD/CVD, and item database integrity.
• Broker & Vendor Operations: Manage external U.S. and Canadian customs brokers supporting quality reviews, import declarations, pre/post-entry summary audits, entry data aggregation, and post-summary corrections.
• Audit & Financial Reporting: Prepare financial documentation for ACH duty payment reconciliation, value reconciliation filings (transfer pricing, tooling, assists, pricing changes), support internal and external customs audits, and ensure compliance with US CBP and CBSA import regulations.
• Regulatory Expertise: Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of import regulations and other relevant trade compliance legislation to to optimize compliance, tariff spend and duty treatment.
• Cross-Functional Support: Collaborate daily with purchasing, logistics, engineering, and finance to resolve cross-border shipment delays and drive continuous improvement projects.
• Prioritization & Time Management: Effectively manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum of 5+ years of trade compliance experience focusing specifically on U.S. and Canadian customs operations and import logistics.
• Licensure: A current and valid U.S. Customs Broker License (LCB) is required.
• Regulatory Expertise: In-depth knowledge of U.S. and Canadian (CBSA) import requirements, valuation rules, OGA requirements and tariff classification procedures.
• Preferred Experience: Working knowledge of USMCA rules of origin, Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ), Duty Drawback, Country of Origin determinations, and Incoterms.
• Documentation & Analytical Skills: Proven expertise in auditing import documentation, conducting tariff spend analysis, and reviewing technical product specifications.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex information.
• Organizational Skills: Exceptional ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines effectively.

Work Requirements

• Location: Must reside in the Chicagoland area with the ability to work in-office 3 days per week.
• Work Authorization: Legal authorization to work in the U.S. indefinitely is required (employer work permit sponsorship is not available).

#LI-MM4 LI-HYBRD

Target Base Salary Range: $110,000.00 - $140,000.00 USD

Consistent with Motorola Solutions values and applicable law, we provide the following information to promote pay transparency and equity. Pay within this range varies and depends on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The actual offer will be based on the individual candidate.

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree
• 5+ years of experience in trade compliance or similar business disciplines.
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. indefinitely is required. Employer work permit sponsorship is not available for this position.

Travel RequirementsNoneRelocation ProvidedNonePosition TypeExperiencedReferral Payment PlanYes

Our U.S.Benefitsinclude:

• Incentive Bonus Plans
• Medical, Dental, Visionbenefits
• 401K with Company Match
• 10 Paid Holidays
• GenerousPaid Time Off Packages
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• PaidParental & Family Leave
• and more!

Motorola Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other legally-protected characteristic.

We are proud of our people-first and community-focused culture, empowering every Motorolan to be their most authentic self and to do their best work to deliver on the promise of a safer world. If you'd like to join our team but feel that you don't quite meet all of the preferred skills, we'd still love to hear why you think you'd be a great addition to our team.

We're committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruiting experience for candidates with disabilities, or other physical or mental health conditions. To request an accommodation, please complete thisReasonable Accommodations Formso we can assist you.