Customs Brokerage Manager

Hellmann Worldwide Logistics•Chicago, IL

17h•$110,000 - $140,000

About The Position

The Customs Brokerage Manager manages the product team for an assigned department and is responsible for governmental compliance, timely clearance and security filing processes, working capital, quality outcomes, volume and revenue growth, yield, and operating efficiency. The role is accountable for achieving client satisfaction, following company policies, and maximizing profitability for Hellmann. The manager oversees Customs Brokerage staff and ensures personnel and operations comply with global, country-specific, and port-specific requirements. The role also manages financial and quality performance, customer and vendor relationships, staffing, employee development, forecasting, and succession planning. The position supervises employees and may supervise temporary employees for projects.

Requirements

Active U.S. Customs Broker License (LCB) in good standing.
Bachelor's degree in Business, Logistics and Supply Chain, Transportation, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and work experience may be considered instead.
High school diploma or GED.
Five to seven years of experience in a customs brokerage agent position.
Two years of prior supervisory experience.
Proficiency in world geography, shipping documentation, and Incoterms.
Financial acumen and understanding of business drivers.
Results-oriented approach to strategy and execution.
Professional leadership skills and a customer-focused approach.
Organizational, time-management, and prioritization skills.
Adaptability and flexibility in a high-pressure environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), email, and the internet.
Strong written and verbal English communication skills for professional presentations to customers, management, and subordinates.
Ability to calculate figures and amounts, including freight rates, discounts, and percentages.
Analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to train, coach, and develop subordinates.
Ability to travel overnight 20–30%.

Responsibilities

Ensure customs and governmental processes, procedures, and activities comply with global, country-specific, and port-specific regulations.
Monitor brokerage compliance laws and regulations and develop programs to ensure personnel are trained and equipped to maintain compliance.
Attend local, regional, or national training classes or conferences as needed to build skills and maintain industry knowledge.
Directly or indirectly manage all Customs Brokerage staff within the assigned department.
Meet product working capital targets, including days payable outstanding with product vendors and days sales outstanding, especially on pass-through items.
Ensure timely and accurate costing, revenue estimates, rating, and invoicing to minimize work in process, days sales outstanding, and bad debt.
Meet product operations customer quality goals under Customer Standard Operating Procedures at minimal cost through effective procurement and routing.
Meet volume and top-line product revenue growth targets for the assigned department.
Maintain product yield within target ranges at customer and department aggregate levels, and lead yield improvement processes when performance is outside targets.
Work with senior management, peers, tender management, and sales to measure, sell, and procure market-competitive rates and services.
Ensure assigned employees receive training and periodic certification and recertification on product SOPs and the Quality Management System.
Ensure financial and quality controls and audits are completed accurately and on time.
Hold the team accountable for developing clear, concise customer-specific operating documents and certifications.
Consult Account Management and Sales before they agree to non-standard services or pricing.
Train and coach Sales and Account Management personnel on market opportunities and threats, internal strengths and weaknesses, and ways to gain market share from competitors.
Manage customer escalations professionally in conjunction with Account Management or Sales.
Serve as a product subject matter expert when communicating with customers.
Lead or participate in corrective actions to reduce the likelihood of revenue or profit loss when business is at risk.
Manage product vendor quality and ensure business continuity if a vendor cannot perform.
Provide timely product and department analysis to internal and external stakeholders as agreed.
Ensure accurate and timely product budgeting and forecasting within the assigned department.
Conduct regular employee performance reviews and set performance goals to support employee development.
Monitor and manage staffing levels and workload allocation across product teams, including talent acquisition, furloughing, repurposing, reshifting, demotion, promotion, and severance.
Develop team members and individuals, and manage succession planning at agent, supervisor, and the manager's own level.