Associate Director, US Customs

General Motors•Detroit, MI

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Our Global Tax and Customs department is a team of approximately 200 people focused primarily on tax and trade matters most strategic and important to GM’s market leadership and business success. We apply our technical knowledge and learn about GM’s business to deliver clear, actionable, value-add advice and to support compliance with the tax and import/export laws in the markets where GM does business. We partner with stakeholders across GM and collaborate with our many tax and customs third party advisors in managing GM’s global tax and customs positions. Global Tax and Customs is a team that values team member growth, development and wellbeing by emphasizing trust, flexibility, feedback and adjustment, and development opportunities for professional growth. Overview of Your Role: The Associate Director, US Customs, is responsible for GM’s compliance with US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) regulations and oversees US trade flows, duty payments, and duty mitigation programs. This role serves as GM’s primary interface with CBP and key internal stakeholders, including Global Purchasing and Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, and R&D. The position leads GM managers and senior analysts responsible for US Customs operations and post-entry activities, manages an extensive third-party Customs Broker network, and, in partnership with the North American Regional Director, has ownership and authority of customs operating model and risk posture over GM’s US trade flows.

Requirements

10+ years of customs and trade related experience
Strong ethical judgment and compliance mindset
Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or related field
Proven leadership and people development capabilities
Strong communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills
Demonstrated problem-solving skills
Deep knowledge of tariffs, trade remedies, trade agreements, and their impact on automotive or manufacturing operations
Ability to present complex issues and recommendations to senior leadership

Nice To Haves

Licensed Customs Broker
MBA, master's degree, or other advanced degree

Responsibilities

Provide leadership for US cross-border customs strategy and governance, ensuring efficient, resilient, and compliant processes that enable all US plant operations.
Lead tariff implementation, impact analysis, and timely business communications.
Oversee US border disruption management and contingency planning.
Ensure compliance with corporate requirements and CBP obligations.
Manage post-entry activities, including PSCs, reconciliations, prior disclosures, CBP audits, CTPAT, drawbacks, and liquidated damages.
Own the US customs duty financials, setting strategy and providing oversight for payments, accounting, monthly forecasting, multi-year outlooks, and duty budgeting across all US trade flows.
Drive process optimization and automation using AI, analytics, and data-driven tools.
Set the strategic direction for US customs compliance and, in partnership with the Controls & Compliance COE, design and govern the standards and controls framework for GM Customs.
Lead GM employees and Customs Brokers in day-to-day US import operations.
Oversee broker compliance with GM Customs policies and KPIs.
Lead and set the tone to resolve complex import issues to support timely, cost-effective clearance.
Advise business partners on CBP regulations and US import requirements.
Partner cross-functionally to reduce GM’s US duty exposure.
Onboard new business units and joint ventures.
Develop talent, build critical capabilities, and establish succession plans for key US Customs roles.