Associate Director, Import Trade Compliance & Customs

Subaru•Camden, NJ

1d•$175,000 - $200,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Directs and controls the company's overall import trade compliance strategy with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations and interaction with participating government agencies (PGA) such as Department of Transportation (DOT), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), etc. Ensures that all imported vehicles and parts, etc. are properly classified, valued, and entered according to CBP regulations and that the appropriate duty and taxes are paid. Works with executive stakeholders throughout Subaru of America (SOA) Legal, Aftersales, Tax, Finance, and Sales. Leads tariff mitigation strategies at SOA, while maintaining strict compliance. Additionally, manages the company's compliance within the Customs and Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) Cargo Security Program.

Requirements

Current on latest customs compliance laws and initiatives.
Working knowledge of Customs and Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program requirements.
Knowledge of customs brokerage operations (entry filing) to manage self-filing function, including programming requirements needed to properly transmit import data to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Ability to effectively lead operational/personnel changes as needed.
Ability to communicate with employees at all levels of the company, as well as with government officials.
Ability to negotiate and manage external consulting contracts.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
U.S. Customs Broker License, Required

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Export Compliance is a plus.

Responsibilities

Leads and provides strategic direction of the administration of the company's customs and import compliance activities to support our commitment to comply with evolving U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations and programs.
Establishes procedures and implements change or enhancements to meet the current business and compliance demands. Interprets and implements strategic direction based on executive orders and Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS) updates, assessing and minimizing risk to Subaru of America (SOA). Stays abreast of regulatory changes and provides updates and guidance to senior leadership, while working closely with Finance, Legal, and other internal stakeholders.
Develops strategy and directs the implementation of duty optimization programs such as: First Sale for Export (FSFE), duty drawback, temporary import/export programs, and Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ). Oversees and supports Customs Operations Manager on execution.
Defines key performance indicator (KPI) framework and performance standards across customs operations and compliance. Establishes broker and software strategy, selection, and contractual performance expectations.
Serves as authority on customs planning, classification, country of origin, valuation, special programs, and partner government agency requirements. Optimizes use of Free/Preferential Trade Agreements (FTA/PTA) and manages the impact of trade remedies (International Emergency Economic Powers Act [IEEPA], Sections 232 & 301, antidumping, countervailing duties).
Designs and directs the internal audit roadmap for entry data. Conducts root-cause analyses on any filing discrepancies, and authors draft prior disclosures or post-summary corrections when required. Establishes and maintains robust recordkeeping and audit documentation controls, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and internal policies while supporting audit readiness.
Drives cross-functional collaboration and alignment with key stakeholders across Tax, Finance, Product Design, and other business functions to ensure integration of trade compliance considerations into business operations.
Establishes and manages SOA/Subaru Corporation (SBR) business operations to monitor cargo security procedures and establish new procedures and policies as needed. Represents the company's best interest in communicating with CBP and works to maintain SOA's standing as a "low risk" importer with favored Customs and Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) membership status. Maintains ownership and leadership over this program.
Supports programs and controls to comply with Forced Labor Act requirements to prevent products mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part with forced labor from entering the United States. Works with SBR on traceability initiatives for compliance purposes, such as Certificate of Origin (COO), Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), Anti-Dumping & Countervailing Duties (AD/CVD), etc.
Leads SOA's Annual Notification Letter to CBP on annual basis as part of C-TPAT Program.
Maintains and updates SOA’s Import Compliance Manual on annual basis.
Works with SOA Export Compliance team on joint initiatives; knowledge of Export Compliance is a plus.