Trade Compliance Program Manager

Nidec Motor Corporation; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Nidec Motor Corporation is seeking a seasoned Trade Compliance leader to govern and enhance import/export compliance across U.S. and Canadian businesses. You will define policies, coordinate audits, and provide risk-based guidance to ensure lawful and efficient cross-border operations.

The role emphasizes collaboration with corporate and business teams, governance of standards, and ongoing training to foster a culture of compliance across global operations.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in Trade Compliance, Customs Brokerage, or related regulatory role.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. and Canada import/export regulations (EAR, ITAR, and FTR).
• Experience conducting audits and compliance risk assessments.
• Proficiency with ACE and SNAP-R.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong analytical, communication, and influencing skills.
• U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.
• Ability to travel up to 10-15% within the U.S. and Canada.

Responsibilities

• Serve as corporate Trade Compliance governance lead for assigned businesses.
• Act as primary corporate contact for business Trade Compliance Managers or compliance leads.
• Define and maintain clear roles and responsibilities between Corporate and business compliance teams.
• Provide regulatory guidance to support compliant import/export execution.
• Escalate systemic risks and recurring noncompliance to Trade Compliance leadership.
• Develop, implement, and maintain corporate Trade Compliance policies and standards.
• Plan and execute business self-assessments and corporate-led compliance audits.
• Identify compliance gaps, root causes, and control weaknesses.
• Promote a culture of compliance and accountability.

Skills

Trade compliance

Regulatory affairs

Audits & risk management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ACE

SNAP-R

Microsoft Office

Job description

We begin with dreams. Dreams drive our motivation. Dreams are our future. The world’s dreams, people’s dreams, our dreams. Our passion creates ideas that make dreams come alive. Technology and products that were only dreams become reality.

All for dreams. Dreams challenge and the Nidec-Group will continue to meet the challenge. For the world’s and people’s tomorrows; the world’s first, the world’s best technologies and products; we will continue our part in creating a better society.

Job Summary

Job Description Summary
Nidec is the world’s No.1 comprehensive motor manufacturer handling “everything that spins and moves”, miniature to gigantic. Nidec is a global enterprise comprised of over 300 subsidiaries/affiliates. We are a leading manufacturer of commercial motors, industrial motors, appliance motors, and controls. Nidec motors can be found in products that range from cell phones, computers and home appliances to industrial and mining equipment – and everything in between. Our product line features a full line of high efficiency motors for industrial applications in water treatment, mining, oil and gas, and power generation, and for commercial applications such as pool and spa, condensers, cooling towers and large refrigeration units.

From keeping us comfortable in our homes to pumping clean water to making our cars more safe, electric motors are an indispensable part of our daily lives. At Nidec, our employees are on the forefront of developing new motor technologies. As we move deeper into the age of robotics, the impact of motors will only increase.

With over 140,000 employees stationed worldwide, Nidec continues to be a unique organization, and each location maintains its individual personality.

Job Description

Position Summary

Responsible for governance, oversight, and continuous improvement of import and export compliance programs for assigned U.S. and Canadian businesses. Operates within a decentralized compliance model where businesses execute daily activities, while Corporate Trade Compliance sets policy, standards, training, and audit requirements. Serves as the primary corporate compliance contact for assigned businesses, providing guidance, risk oversight, and escalation support.

Key Responsibilities

Business Unit Oversight

• Serve as corporate Trade Compliance governance lead for assigned businesses
• Act as primary corporate contact for business Trade Compliance Managers or compliance leads
• Define and maintain clear roles and responsibilities between Corporate and business compliance teams
• Provide regulatory guidance to support compliant import/export execution
• Escalate systemic risks and recurring noncompliance to Trade Compliance leadership

Policies, Standards, and Governance

• Develop, implement, and maintain corporate Trade Compliance policies and standards
• Establish and enforce minimum compliance requirements and control frameworks applicable across all businesses
• Ensure business programs align with corporate standards while accommodating operational needs
• Provide guidance on classification, export controls, recordkeeping, documentation, and nuanced issues

Audits and Risk Management

• Plan and execute business self-assessments and corporate-led compliance audits
• Evaluate program effectiveness and assign business risk ratings
• Identify compliance gaps, root causes, and control weaknesses
• Track and monitor corrective and preventative action plans
• Support business preparation for internal, external, and regulatory audits

Training and Compliance Culture

• Develop and deliver standardized Trade Compliance training
• Ensure consistent training content, frequency, and documentation
• Support role-based training for operational stakeholders
• Promote a culture of compliance and accountability

Regulatory and Government Engagement

• Monitor U.S. and Canadian regulatory changes and communicate impacts
• Support responses to government inquiries, audits, and enforcement actions
• Liaise with government agencies, customs brokers, and external advisors
• Support internal investigations and remediation activities

Continuous Improvement and Collaboration

• Identify opportunities to improve compliance effectiveness, standardization, and risk reduction
• Partner with cross-functional teams to address compliance issues

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in Trade Compliance, Customs Brokerage, or a related regulatory role
• Bachelor’s degree or higher
• Strong knowledge of U.S. and Canada import/export regulations, including Customs regulations, EAR, ITAR, and FTR.
• Experience conducting audits and compliance risk assessments
• Proficiency with ACE and SNAP-R
• Proficiency with Microsoft Suite products
• Strong analytical, communication, and influencing skills
• U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
• Ability to travel up to 10-15% within the U.S. and Canada

Preferred Qualifications

• Trade compliance certifications (e.g., LCB, CCS, CUSIP, CUSECO)
• Experience partnering with business-level compliance teams
• Experience supporting decentralized or matrixed organizations
• Experience with ERP and compliance screening tools
• Manufacturing and Mexico maquiladora exposure
• Spanish or French language skills

Additional Job Details

Professional – P3

Organizational Impact

• Works to achieve operational, functional, and/or business targets within team with direct impact on departmental or job family results
• Established professional; works under limited supervision
• Works independently on moderately complex projects/assignments and contributes to setting objectives or goals of projects and assignments within team

Communication & Influence

• Communicates with employees both within and occasionally outside of the department and/or job family on matters that require explanation, interpretation and/or advising; may communicate with external clients or partners depending upon the job area
• Influences employees within the department at an operational level regarding concepts or practices and some advisement on approaches

Innovation & Complexity

• Responsible for making moderate improvements of processes, procedures, or systems to contribute to the performance of the team
• Problems faced are difficult and mildly complex and typically impact the job family and/or multiple teams

Leadership & Talent Management

• Provides assistance and training to other employees
• May lead significant parts of moderately complex projects or processes

Knowledge & Experience

• Requires advanced job knowledge and demonstrated competence within department, typically obtained through advanced education and relevant experience
• Requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience and minimum 5 years of prior relevant experience

Equal Employment Opportunity and Aff…

Nidec is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Encourages diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, genetic information, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information regarding your (EEO) rights as an applicant, please visit the following website: http://www1.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf

Work Shift Schedule

No Soliciting

Nidec will not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third party recruiting agencies in response to Nidec job postings. No fee will be paid to third parties who submit unsolicited candidates directly to our hiring managers. Pre-approval from the Nidec Talent Acquisition team is required before any external candidate can be submitted and such candidate must be submitted to the Nidec Talent Acquisition team.