Trade Compliance Program Manager

Waters Corporation; Taunton (MA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Waters Corporation seeks a Trade Compliance Program Manager to lead global product attribute classifications including HS/HTS codes, ECCN classifications, and country of origin determinations.

You will standardize global processes, collaborate with Engineering and Product teams, and drive continuous improvement across classification programs to ensure compliant, scalable operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a trade/engineering/business field.
• 7–10 years of trade compliance experience focusing on tariff and export control classification.
• Demonstrated classifier with accurate, defensible decisions.
• Experience with SAP GTS or equivalent platforms.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain global standards for HS/HTS codes, ECCN/ECN classifications, and origin determinations.
• Translate technical specs into accurate tariff codes and classifications.
• Monitor accuracy and ensure adherence to internal guidelines.
• Provide guidance to build automated classification logic and rule engines.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Product teams, and Master Data to ensure accurate attributes.
• Develop and maintain global classification guidelines and SOPs.
• Ensure audit-ready documentation supporting classification decisions.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Mentoring

Collaboration

Classification expertise

Regional trade knowledge

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in International Trade or related field

Tools

SAP GTS

Job description

Waters Corporation is seeking a highly skilled Trade Compliance Program Manager to lead our global program for core product attributes, including HS/HTS tariff classification, export control classification (US ECCN, EU Dual‑Use), and country of origin determination. These attributes form the foundation of our global trade compliance framework, and we are looking for someone who is passionate about translating complex technical information into accurate, defensible customs and export classifications.

In this role, you will build and maintain global standards, ensure local regulatory relevance, optimize classification systems, and drive continuous improvement across our classification and country‑of‑origin programs.

Responsibilities:

Core Program Ownership

• Manage global standards for HS/HTS codes, export control classifications (ECCN/ECN), and country of origin.
• Translate technical specifications into accurate tariff codes, export classifications, and origin determinations.
• Monitor classification accuracy and ensure adherence to internal guidelines.
• Provide input to create automated classification logic and rule-based engines.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Engineering, Product Management, Product Development, and Project Management to understand product functionality and technical attributes.
• Work with Master Data teams to ensure product attributes are correctly created, maintained, and available to global import teams.
• Collaborate with local trade compliance teams to validate classification relevance and document country‑specific nuances.

Governance, Documentation & Standards

• Develop and maintain global classification and country‑of‑origin determination guidelines.
• Provide guidance to manufacturing teams on origin determination, process mapping, and documentation requirements.
• Ensure audit‑ready documentation supporting all classification and origin decisions.
• Create SOPs, standards, and processes to strengthen global compliance.

Operational Excellence

• Ensure HS codes are mapped to all import countries and extended through SAP/GTS.
• Optimize classification workflows to increase efficiency, consistency, and scalability.
• Gather and interpret import/export requirements applicable to products across global markets.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in International Trade, Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
• LCB.
• 7–10 years of trade compliance experience, with a strong focus on tariff and export control classification.
• Demonstrated expertise as a classifier with a track record of accurate, defensible decisions.
• Experience with SAP GTS or comparable global trade management platforms.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Strong critical‑thinking skills and the ability to navigate ambiguous or technically complex classification scenarios.
• Ability to train and mentor teams on classification methodology and regulatory interpretation.
• Comfortable working with large datasets and leveraging classification engines to validate or enrich master data.
• Experience working across multiple regions and understanding local classification nuances (EU CN codes, US HTSUS, India Customs Tariff, non‑preferential origin rules).
• Strong collaboration skills with engineering, legal, procurement, and product teams.