Customs Compliance Manager

Technip Energies•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Customs Compliance Manager leads U.S. customs compliance operations, Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) administration, export controls, and project import logistics. The role ensures imports and exports comply with requirements of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and other applicable partner government agencies. Depending on future project needs, the position may also support customs functions in Canada and Mexico. The Manager provides guidance on classification, customs valuation, origin, tariff exposure, duty mitigation, customs clearance, and regulatory risk. The role oversees brokers and freight forwarders, manages compliance processes and audits, and supports projects from FEED through EP/EPC execution. It works closely with Logistics, Procurement, Engineering, Finance, Legal, and project leadership to enable efficient and compliant international trade.

Requirements

Seven to ten-plus years of progressive experience in U.S. customs compliance, international trade, or import/export operations.
Strong experience administering Foreign Trade Zones, including inventory controls, reporting, and compliance requirements.
Expert working knowledge of CBP regulations, HTSUS, customs valuation, country-of-origin rules, EAR, ITAR, OFAC, UFLPA, and relevant partner government agencies such as EPA, DOT, and USDA.
Experience leading projects and working across Engineering, Procurement, Finance, IT, Legal, and other business functions.
Strong leadership, analytical, decision-making, research, and project-management capabilities.
Advanced data analytics skills for customs compliance reporting and monitoring.
Excellent English-language written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
Ability to translate complex trade requirements into practical guidance for cross-functional project teams.

Nice To Haves

Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) or Certified Customs Specialist (CCS) credential.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.
Experience in EPC, heavy industrial projects, and project logistics.
Demonstrated success with customs process improvement, audit readiness, duty mitigation, and customs cost optimization.

Responsibilities

Oversee HTSUS classifications for project equipment, pre-assembled modules, machinery, and materials, and export control classifications such as ECCNs where applicable.
Establish and audit customs valuation practices, including assists, royalties, and transfer-pricing impacts; validate country-of-origin determinations and marking requirements.
Monitor Section 301 and Section 232 tariffs, AD/CVD orders, and other trade developments; provide duty and tariff cost estimates to project estimating teams.
Identify and implement duty mitigation opportunities through FTAs, FTZs, duty drawback, returned-goods provisions, and other applicable programs.
Direct setup, activation, and ongoing operational administration of FTZ sites, optimizing duty deferral, reduction, or elimination for eligible materials and equipment.
Oversee CBP reporting and supporting records, including admissions, manipulations, withdrawals, zone-status reconciliation, and inventory controls.
Coordinate customs clearance and import logistics with project teams, Transport & Logistics, freight forwarders, and customs brokers.
Manage third-party brokers and freight forwarders through performance KPIs, SOPs, reviews, audits, and import-entry compliance oversight.
Issue and maintain customs powers of attorney, broker and freight-forwarder SOPs, and relevant service orders; review broker invoices and duty statements for payment processing.
Design and execute internal customs audits, self-assessments, and process reviews; identify deficiencies and implement corrective actions.
Develop and maintain written customs compliance policies, manuals, local procedures, and SOPs, and maintain records for internal and external audits.
Serve as primary liaison with CBP and other government agencies on import/export matters; prepare responses to CF28, CF29, and other customs inquiries.
Monitor regulatory, legislative, and customs-ruling changes and advise stakeholders about resulting risks and requirements.
Deliver customs compliance training to Procurement, Logistics, Engineering, Legal, Project Management, and other business functions.
Advise teams on HTS classifications, customs rulings, FTZ maintenance, import/export controls, and trade remedies.
Supervise, mentor, and manage customs coordinators responsible for FTZ administration, recordkeeping, and reporting.
Provide customs and import/export man-hour estimates and reporting from FEED through EP/EPC stages.
Collaborate with Engineering, Procurement, Finance, IT, Legal, and project stakeholders to integrate compliance into daily operations.
Communicate regulatory changes, duty exposure, and risk mitigation opportunities to management and project teams.