U.S. Trade Compliance Manager

Clarience Technologies; Southfield (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Clarience Technologies seeks a U.S. Customs Manager to lead and insource its import compliance program across multiple brands within a growing global manufacturing organization.

You will build policies, governance, and broker management, ensuring CBP compliance, 19 CFR§163 recordkeeping, and efficient entry processes. Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration are essential for success in this autonomous role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in International Business, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or related field
• 7+ years of U.S. import compliance or customs operations experience, including building/restructuring a compliance function
• Strong knowledge of CBP regulations, HTSUS, PGA rules, and customs valuation
• Experience managing customs brokers and ERP systems
• Cross-functional and independent work in a fast-paced environment

Responsibilities

• Develop and standardize policies, SOPs, and recordkeeping to meet 19 CFR §163
• Govern broker RFP/evaluation, define KPIs/SLAs, and manage broker performance
• Integrate acquired brands into the compliance program
• Ensure CBP compliance across all brands importing into the U.S.
• Oversee daily customs clearance and broker relationships
• Review HTS classifications, valuation determinations, and entry documents
• Monitor duty payments and ACE data accuracy
• Administer USMCA and other FTA qualification processes
• Monitor tariff exposure; evaluate exclusions and mitigation strategies
• Identify duty savings opportunities (duty drawback, FTZ)
• Lead internal audits and CBP inquiries
• Develop SOPs, deliver training, enforce governance across functions
• Serve as primary contact for CBP and other agencies

Skills

CBP regulations knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Autonomy & ambiguity

Education

Bachelor's degree in International Business, Supply Chain, Business Administration

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

This is a newly created role to assist with the insourcing of Clarience Technologies' U.S. import compliance program and will entail supplementing the policies, systems, broker relationships, and governance needed to support a multi-brand, global manufacturing organization. The U.S. Customs Manager will direct and oversee all operational and compliance activities related to the importation of goods into the United States, ensuring full adherence to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations, partner government agency (PGA) requirements, free trade agreement (FTA) eligibility, classification and valuation rules, and other federal trade laws. This is a hands-on, high-autonomy role suited to someone who has insourced a trade compliance function before, not only operated one.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Build & Governance

• Supplement and standardize across various companies the U.S. import compliance efforts, including policies, SOPs, and a recordkeeping structure that meets 19 CFR §163 requirements
• Develop a broker governance model: conduct a broker RFP/evaluation, define KPIs and SLAs, and manage ongoing broker performance
• Support the integration of newly acquired brands and business units into the compliance program as the company continues to grow through acquisition

Compliance Operations

• Ensure compliance with CBP regulations, HTSUS classification, valuation, country-of-origin, and admissibility requirements across all Clarience brands importing into the U.S.
• Oversee daily customs clearance activity and manage customs broker relationships
• Review and approve HTS classifications, valuation determinations, and entry documentation
• Monitor liquidation, duty payments, and entry data accuracy via ACE reporting

Trade Programs & Duty Savings

• Administer USMCA and other FTA qualification and certification processes, including rules-of-origin determinations
• Monitor Section 301, 232, and 201 tariff exposure; evaluate exclusion opportunities and cost-mitigation strategies
• Identify and pursue duty savings opportunities, including duty drawback and foreign-trade zone (FTZ) programs where applicable
• Lead internal audits, post-entry reviews, and manage CBP inquiries and requests for information
• Develop SOPs, deliver training, and enforce compliance governance across relevant business functions (sourcing, logistics, engineering, finance)
• Serve as the primary point of contact for CBP and other government agencies on trade compliance matters

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT(S):

• Bachelor's degree in International Business, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related field

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT(S):

Required:

• 7+ years of U.S. import compliance or customs operations experience, including experience building or substantially restructuring a compliance function (not solely maintaining an existing one)
• Strong working knowledge of CBP regulations, HTSUS, PGA rules, and customs valuation
• Experience managing customs brokers and working with ERP/GTM systems
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and independently in a fast-paced, evolving environment

Preferred:

• Licensed U.S. Customs Broker (LCB) — strongly preferred given the scope of this role
• Experience with CTPAT compliance and security programs, including certification builds
• Background in manufacturing, automotive, or commercial vehicle/technology sectors
• Experience with reconciliation, prior disclosures, duty drawback, FTZ, and CBP audits
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities
• Comfort operating with significant autonomy and ambiguity — this role builds infrastructure rather than inheriting it
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, multi-brand environment

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Due to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR) requirements, all candidates must be presently classified as a “US Person" which includes: a United States citizen; a permanent legal resident (green card holder); or a protected individual (refugee/asylum status).

Clarience Technologies is an equal opportunity employer committed to a culturally diverse workforce.