Trade Advisory Manager

Flexport; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Flexport is seeking an experienced Trade Advisory Manager to lead a team of consultants, brokers, and lawyers. You will drive strategic service offerings, help clients navigate complex global trade rules, and align the advisory function with Flexport’s technology-driven vision.

The role requires a decade-plus of trade experience, strong writing and communication skills, and a track record of managing teams and client engagements, with a focus on compliance and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• Licensed Customs Broker is required; J.D. or graduate degree preferred.
• 10+ years of trade-related experience in house, brokerage, consulting, or law firm.
• 3–5 years of managing associates, projects and metrics.
• Strong technical and business writing skills.
• Public speaking and presentations experience (webinars/training/client-facing).
• Expertise in tariff classification, valuation, duties minimization, regulations, and rulings.
• Strong interpersonal, detail-oriented, organized and multi-tasking abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google equivalents.
• High computer literacy; digital-first mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team of customs and trade advisors.
• Develop and roll out new trade advisory service offerings.
• Own the team's long-range plan and growth strategy.
• Assist clients to resolve trade-related questions and problems.
• Foster an agile, technology-focused high-performance culture.
• Manage the team and grow Trade Advisory services.
• Own the client portfolio and lead teams for execution and reporting.
• Guide associates on researching trade matters and finalizing memos/presentations.
• Monitor deadlines and submissions to CBP.
• Maintain active communications with clients, customs and regulators.
• Stay informed on regulations, rulings and industry trends.
• Organize internal and external trade-related communications.
• Support Trade Advisory infrastructure and administrative needs.

Skills

Trade advisory experience

People management

Technical writing

Public speaking

Tariff classification

Regulatory knowledge

MS Office / Google apps

Digital literacy

Compliance mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree

Licensed Customs Broker

J.D. or graduate degree

Job description

About Flexport:

At Flexport, we believe global trade can move the human race forward. That’s why it’s our mission to make global commerce so easy there will be more of it. We’re shaping the future of a $10T industry with solutions powered by innovative technology and exceptional people. Today, companies of all sizes—from emerging brands to Fortune 500s—use Flexport technology to move more than $19B of merchandise across 112 countries a year.

The recent global supply chain crisis has put Flexport center stage as we continue to play a pivotal role in how goods move around the world. We are proud to have the support of the best investors in the game who believe in our mission, solutions and people. Ready to tackle global challenges that impact business, society, and the environment? Come join us.

Exciting Trade Advisory Opportunity to Help Make Global Trade Easy

The opportunity:

The global supply chain is one of the most heavily regulated industries for all parties involved. Everyone from the carriers, intermediaries, trucking companies, 3rd party logistics, freight forwarders, shippers, consignees, importers, exporters, and brokers face a challenging and complex task of navigating through a myriad of laws from the originating country, destination country as well as international treaties and conventions.

The Trade Advisory team, consisting of business consultants, lawyers and licensed customs brokers, offers advanced customs and trade expertise to help clients identify supply chain risks and cost savings opportunities. Flexport is looking for a Trade Advisory Manager to help lead our Trade Advisory services. In this role, you’ll be responsible for managing a team of associates, growing our business and helping our clients navigate the complex web of global trade alongside some of the smartest people in the advisory, customs and logistics industries as we collectively challenge the status quo and reduce friction in global trade.

You will:

• Help lead the team of customs and trade advisors.
• Develop and roll out new trade advisory service offerings
• Own the team’s long range plan and build the strategy to grow and meet aggressive goals.
• Do whatever it takes to help our clients to resolve trade related questions and problems.
• Strive to create an agile technology focused high performance culture.
• Manage a team and be a proactive leader to build and grow Trade Advisory services.
• Own the entire portfolio of clients and projects and lead the teams responsible for execution and reporting relevant metrics.
• Use creativity to improve operational efficiency, leadership communication, and revenue growth.
• Guide trade advisory associates on researching trade related matters such as tariff classification, valuation, country of origin, trade remedies, and free trade agreements.
• Review, comment and help finalize client deliverables prepared by associates including memos and presentations.
• Monitor client deadlines and prepare submissions to CBP.
• Maintain active communication with clients, customs and other government authorities, and internal stakeholders.
• Proactively stay informed on the latest customs and other government agency regulations, ruling issuances, and industry trends that are relevant to our clients.
• Organize and execute internal and external trade related communications.
• Support Trade Advisory infrastructure and administrative requirements.

You should have:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university.
• Must have Licensed Customs Broker required, J.D. or graduate degree
• Must have 10+ years trade related experience working in house, at customs brokerage, consulting or law firm.
• 3-5 years experience managing associates, projects, and business metrics.
• Strong technical and business writing skills.
• Public speaking and presentation skills, including experience with webinars, training sessions, and client facing presentations.
• An advanced command of tariff classification, valuation, duty minimization and avoidance strategies, government regulations and rulings, and other trade information.
• Strong interpersonal skills and detail-oriented with superior organizational, multi-tasking, and problem-solving skills.
• Expertise with Microsoft Office suite and Google equivalents.
• High level of computer literacy. No paper. All digital.
• A \"compliance first\" attitude to keep our regulators happy and enthusiastic about Flexport since we operate in a heavily regulated industry.