Customs Compliance Manager, North America

Gentherm • Novi, MI

113d

About The Position

The Customs Compliance Manager is responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of customs compliance for North America to ensure full adherence to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations, Mexico Customs regulations, and international trade laws. This role plays a critical part in protecting the company from regulatory risk, optimizing cross-border trade operations, and supporting global supply chain strategies. The incumbent will lead the development and execution of customs compliance programs in North America, provide direction, and serve as a subject matter expert on U.S. Customs regulations including 19 CFR, HTS classifications, and import/export control laws.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in international business, Customs Compliance, Supply Chain Management, Law, or related field (Master's degree preferred).
• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in customs compliance, preferably within a global manufacturing or logistics environment.
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. Customs regulations (19 CFR), import/export documentation, valuation methodologies, FTA compliance, and HTS classification.
• Working knowledge of Mexico Customs regulations.
• Demonstrated experience managing third-party customs brokers and government audits.
• Multilingual abilities; specifically Spanish and English.
• Deep knowledge of U.S. and international customs laws, including Customs Border Protection regulations, duty mitigation strategies, and penalty avoidance.
• Strong analytical and investigative skills with a high level of attention to detail.
• Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to convey complex regulatory concepts to cross-functional teams and executives.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to lead and influence across all levels of the organization.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Customs Specialist (CCS) or Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) is strongly preferred.
• Experience in leading large-scale customs audits or voluntary disclosures.
• Familiarity with global trade zones, bonded warehouses, and import/export automation tools.
• Proficiency with trade compliance systems (e.g., SAP GTS, Oracle GTM, Integration).
• Experience leading remote team members.

Responsibilities

• Lead the company's customs compliance strategy for North America, ensuring alignment with U.S., Mexico, and international customs laws.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for North America customs-related matters with internal stakeholders, government agencies, and third-party providers.
• Monitor and interpret U.S. and Mexico import/export regulations including 19 CFR, USMCA, EAR, ITAR, and OFAC.
• Provide expert-level interpretation and actionable guidance to internal teams and executive leadership.
• Design, implement, and manage North America company-wide customs compliance policies and procedures.
• Oversee accurate classification of imported and exported goods in North America under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS).
• Manage relationships with customs brokers, freight forwarders, third-party compliance partners, and intercompany and external suppliers.
• Oversee daily customs operations, including entry filings, post-entry corrections, and duty drawback claims.
• Lead internal audits of import/export transactions and investigate potential violations.
• Develop, deploy, and deliver customs compliance training programs for employees across departments.
• Lead and develop North American Customs Compliance and Import - Export team members.
• Ensure compliance with requirements of the Quality Management System IATF 16949, Environmental Management System - ISO 14001 and Occupational Health, Safety Management System - ISO 45001 and TISAX.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree