Director, Customs Brokerage

Ascent Global Logistics•Springfield, MO

3d•$160,000 - $175,000•Remote

About The Position

The Director, Customs Brokerage oversees the performance, compliance, and daily execution of Ascent’s U.S. customs brokerage network, ensuring regulatory adherence, process discipline, and an exceptional customer experience. This role involves leading the day-to-day execution, performance, and compliance of the company’s U.S. customs brokerage network. The position also oversees bonded facilities, including Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs), Container Freight Stations (CFS), and bonded warehouses, ensuring operational consistency, regulatory adherence, and service excellence across multiple sites. The Director will drive continuous improvement initiatives within customs brokerage and bonded operations, support and execute strategic initiatives set by executive leadership, and serve as a key operational leader translating strategy into actionable plans. Strengthening process discipline across brokerage and bonded operations is crucial, ensuring operations deliver accuracy, speed, and an exceptional customer experience.

Requirements

High school diploma or general education degree (GED)
LCB Required
8–10 years of progressive experience in customs brokerage and international freight forwarding, including direct oversight of import and export operations.
Proven people leadership experience, including 3+ years managing customer- or carrier-facing teams in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Demonstrated expertise in U.S. and international trade compliance, including customs clearance processes, government agency requirements, and risk management.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience using data to identify trends, drive process improvements, and resolve complex customs issues.
Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with customs authorities, carriers, vendors, and key customers, demonstrating tact, diplomacy, and professionalism.
Proficiency with customs and trade compliance systems and common business tools (e.g., TMS, ERP, Microsoft Office), with a comfort level learning new technology.
Demonstrated capability to design, implement, and refine standard operating procedures to improve accuracy, cycle time, and compliance in brokerage operations.
Advanced verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex regulatory concepts for internal stakeholders and customers.

Nice To Haves

CCS / CES preferred

Responsibilities

Lead the day-to-day execution, performance, and compliance of the company’s U.S. customs brokerage network.
Oversee bonded facilities, including Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs), Container Freight Stations (CFS), and bonded warehouses.
Ensure operational consistency, regulatory adherence, and service excellence across multiple sites.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives within customs brokerage and bonded operations.
Support and execute strategic initiatives set by executive leadership.
Serve as a key operational leader, translating strategy into actionable plans.
Strengthen process discipline across brokerage and bonded operations.
Ensure operations deliver accuracy, speed, and an exceptional customer experience.