Trade Operations Southern Border Lead

Antler; El Paso (TX); On-site; USD 94,000 - 152,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation –120 hours per calendar year

Sick time –40 hours per calendar year

Holiday pay –13 days per calendar year

Parental Leave – 480 hours

Job summary

Johnson & Johnson is seeking a Trade Operations Southern Border Lead based in El Paso, TX. You will own and oversee Southern-border maquila activities and U.S. import/export execution, serving as the primary operational representative to CBP, FDA, brokers, carriers, 3PLs, and other authorities.

You will manage end‑to‑end TIB life cycles, ensure IOR/EOR integrity, and collaborate with cross‑functional teams to mitigate risk while driving efficiency and compliance across U.S. operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, International Trade, Business, Law, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Fluent Spanish and English required.
• 6–10 years of progressive experience in customs, trade compliance, or cross‑border operations; maquiladora/IMMEX experience preferred.
• Hands‑on experience with Importer of Record and Exporter of Record responsibilities.
• Experience with SAP GTS, customs entry software, and EDI/ACE integrations.
• Experience with duty mitigation programs and preferential origin documentation.
• Proven ability to manage complex operational issues and lead cross‑functional projects.

Responsibilities

• Respond to RFIs, audits, and inquiries from U.S. Customs, FDA, and other agencies; coordinate evidence collection and manage follow‑up.
• Monitor compliance KPIs, duty optimization, FTZ or bonded solutions, and identify cost‑saving opportunities while maintaining compliance.
• Drive SOPs, controls, and process improvements for cross‑border trade, TIB, and maquila operations to reduce risk and cost.
• Serve as SME for cross‑functional projects, providing analysis, guidance, and risk assessments.
• Navigate Trade Software to perform reconciliations and audits of E2E transactions (Maquila, IMMEX, Pedimentos, Mex Exports, US Import).
• Build and maintain relationships with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, Legal, Tax, Finance.
• Follow internal Trade Procedures and maintain audit readiness for customs and regulatory inspections.
• Identify, quantify, and implement duty‑savings (FTZ, drawback, origin) and track savings.
• Partner with Deliver Quality and others to ensure compliance with corporate guidelines.

Skills

Fluent Spanish / English

Written & verbal communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory liaison

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, International Trade, Business, Law, or related field

Tools

SAP GTS

EDI/ACE integrations

customs entry software

Job description

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at jnj.com

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

Job Function

Supply Chain Deliver

Job Sub Function

Transportation Services

Job Category

Professional

All Job Posting Locations

El Paso, Texas, United States of America, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America

Job Description

We are searching for the best talent for a Trade Operations Southern Border Lead. The role must be based out of El Paso, TX. The Trade Operations Lead Southern Border North America provides hands‑on operational ownership and tactical oversight of Southern‑border maquila activities and U.S. import/export execution for Johnson & Johnson. Reporting to the Manager, Trade Operations MedTech North America, this role is the company’s primary operational representative to U.S. Customs (CBP), FDA (as applicable), customs brokers, carriers, 3PLs, surety providers, maquila partners and other governmental authorities. This position ensures, together with other associates from Trade Operations North America also responsible for risk management and post-audit activities, compliance and integrity of Importer of Record (IOR) and Exporter of Record (EOR) responsibilities across the U.S. territory while actively managing the end‑to‑end lifecycle of Temporary Importation under Bond (TIB) to avoid bond claims, penalties, and supply disruptions.

You Will Be Responsible For

• Respond to requests for information (RFIs), audits, and inquiries from U.S. Customs, FDA, and other government agencies; coordinate evidence collection, prepare responses, and manage follow‑up until resolution.
• Monitor compliance KPIs, duty optimization opportunities (e.g., preferential origin under USMCA), drawback, FTZ or bonded solutions where applicable, and identify cost‑saving opportunities that maintain compliance.
• Drive standard operating procedures, controls, and process improvements for cross‑border trade, TIB management, and maquila operations to reduce risk and cost and increase speed to market.
• Serve as the trade compliance subject matter expert (SME) for cross‑functional and Operating Company (OpCo) projects — providing analysis, implementation guidance, and risk assessments to supply‑chain initiatives.
• Navigate in Trade Software tools to perform reconciliations, audits and check‑points of E2E transactions, involving Maquila, including Mexico Inbound / IMMEX / “Pedimentos” / Mex Exports / US Import, to identify inconsistencies and reduce declaration exposure.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders (Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Legal, Tax, Finance) to ensure smooth cross‑functional execution.
• Follow internal Trade Procedures and maintain audit readiness for customs, trade, and regulatory inspections;
• Proactively identify, quantify, and implement duty‑savings initiatives (duty drawback, preferential origin claims, FTZ strategies), and track realized savings.
• Partner with J&J Deliver Quality, and other areas, to ensure that activities are managed within the appropriate corporate framework and comply with other Johnson & Johnson guidelines (RIM, Procurement Red Book, Travel Policy, Training, etc).

Qualifications/Requirements

• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, International Trade, Business, Law, or related field (or equivalent experience) required.
• Fluent Spanish / English required.
• Licensed Customs Broker and/or Certified Customs Specialist preferred.
• 6–10 years of progressive experience in customs, trade compliance, or cross‑border operations; specific experience with maquiladora/IMMEX, or equivalent programs, strongly preferred.
• Hands‑on experience acting as or closely supporting Importer of Record and Exporter of Record responsibilities for U.S. imports/exports.
• Direct experience managing Maquila and/or Temporary Importation under Bond (TIB) processes and lifecycle preferred.
• Experience with SAP GTS, customs entry software, and EDI/ACE integrations.
• Prior experience supporting FDA‑regulated product imports/exports or working with regulated supply‑chains.
• Experience with duty mitigation programs (FTZ, drawback) and preferential origin documentation.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with U.S. Customs (CBP) and managing customs broker/forwarder relationships.
• Strong knowledge of HTS classification, valuation, country‑of‑origin rules, duty regimes, USMCA, ACE/AES filing processes, and broker interactions.
• Proven ability to manage complex operational issues, lead cross‑functional projects, and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to interact with regulators, vendors, and senior leadership.

Johnson & Johnson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Johnson & Johnson is committed to providing an interview process that is inclusive of our applicants’ needs. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation, please email the Employee Health Support Center ([e-mail]) or contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.

Required Skills

Preferred Skills

Accountability, Coaching, Communication, Data Analysis, Digital Supply Chain Management, Distribution Management, Mental Agility, Order Management, Organizing, Problem Solving, Safety-Oriented, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Strategic Supply Chain Management, Sustainable Distribution, Transportation Management, Transportation Management Systems (TMS), Transport Networks

The anticipated base pay range for this position is

$94,000.00 - $151,800.00

Additional Description For Pay Transparency

Subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).

Benefits

• Vacation –120 hours per calendar year
• Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Colorado –48 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year
• Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year
• Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year
• Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child
• Bereavement Leave – 240 hours for an immediate family member: 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year
• Caregiver Leave – 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period10 days
• Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year
• Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year

For additional general information on Company benefits, please go to: - https://www.careers.jnj.com/employee-benefits