Trade Compliance Manager

Gateway Recruiting; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Gateway Recruiting seeks a Trade Compliance Manager to lead import/export regulatory programs for the US, Canada and Europe, aligning trade compliance with strategic goals and driving tariff mitigation strategies.

You will manage day-to-day trade compliance operations, partner with Supply Chain, Logistics, R&D and Quality, develop and optimize policies and controls, and proactively identify risks and opportunities to reduce regulatory exposure and costs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required with 6+ years of experience in customs, export controls, or related field.
• Strong knowledge of EAR, Census, OFAC, ECCN, licensing and screening.
• Experience implementing tariff mitigation and cross-functional programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day trade compliance operations in US and Canada, with global support.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Logistics, R&D and Quality to ensure policy alignment.
• Develop, implement and improve trade compliance programs, SOPs and controls.

Skills

US export regulations

Customs compliance

Tariff mitigation

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Oracle

ERP systems

Power BI

Job description

The Trade Compliance Manager is responsible for leading the trade compliance matters, ensuring adherence to the import and export regulations. This role will be focused on managing the trade compliance operations and implementing and optimizing a trade compliance program and driving tariff mitigation strategies. This individual is responsible for proactively identifying risks and opportunities, aligning trade compliance priorities with strategic initiatives. This position reports to the LSIG Director, Trade Compliance and is part of the Trade Compliance function that sits within the Legal & Compliance function.

Position Responsibilities:

• Manage day-to-day trade compliance operational activities within the US and Canada and support the trade compliance function globally.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Logistics, R&D, Quality and other key stakeholders to provide subject matter expertise on trade compliance requirements, ensure alignment with all applicable trade laws and internal trade compliance policies and procedures.
• Lead key tariff mitigation and duty saving strategies, including first sale, duty drawback, country of origin determinations, reconciliation, Section 232 tariffs assessments, and cost-avoidance initiatives that support the financial business objectives and supply chain flows.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve trade compliance programs, policies, SOPs, and internal controls for U.S., Canada, and Europe to strengthen organizational capability and ensure consistent compliance standards globally.
• Proactively identify, assess, and execute process improvements and value-add opportunities that enhance compliance efficiency, minimize regulatory risk exposure, and drive cost reductions.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required with 6+ years of experience in customs, export controls, or related field, demonstrating success in managing trade compliance programs and leading cross functional projects.

• Proficient knowledge of US export regulations, including the EAR, Census, OFAC sanctions, Commerce Control List, ECCN classification, export licensing, and restricted party screening.
• Advanced expertise in U.S. customs regulations, including customs valuation, HTS classification, country of origin determination, and import compliance requirements.
• Working knowledge of the Canadian and EU import and export trade regulations and their application in day-to-day operational and regulatory decision making.
• Demonstrated experience in implementing tariff mitigation strategies, such as free trade agreements, duty drawback, reconciliation, and similar cost-reduction programs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• U.S. Licensed Customs Broker (highly preferred)
• Experience with Oracle, EPR systems, and data analytics/visualization tools (e.g., Power BI)
• Previous experience working in a manufacturing environment preferably within the life sciences manufacturing industry.