Director, Customs Compliance

Loblaw Companies Limited•Brampton, ON

18h

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Director, Customs and Trade to lead our critical customs operations. This pivotal role involves developing and enhancing our internal customs strategy, ensuring proactive compliance with all relevant government regulations, and leading a high-performing team. A key aspect of this role is ensuring unabated and seamless cross-border operations 24/7, supporting over 75,000 import transactions per year, including over 60% of our import business that transits the US into Canada, as well as T&T US and Freight as a Service (FaaS) operations. The ideal candidate will possess expertise in customs regulations across various sectors, a strong ability to navigate the complex and evolving US regulatory landscape, and a proven track record of driving innovation and fostering cross-functional collaboration.

Requirements

Valid US & CA CCS (Certified Customs Specialist) Designation, Certified Trade Compliance Specialist (CTCS) certification, or a Customs Broker Professional License.
Post secondary education in a related discipline.
Proven experience in International Trade Compliance, encompassing both import and export activities.
Demonstrated experience in a Customs International Trade Compliance environment, with at least five years in a managerial role leading a Customs department.
At least 5 years of experience managing US Trade Compliance for a multinational retailer operating in the food sector.
Strong technical knowledge of Canadian and US Customs regulations, including release, accounting, and compliance procedures.
Demonstrates experience navigating CBSA's Single Window IID, CARM, CERS, and US CBP's ACE & USDA APHIS Portals.
Have a results-oriented mindset and demonstrated strong decision-making capabilities, problem-solving prowess, and negotiation skills.
Proven ability to effectively manage senior internal and external stakeholder engagement, particularly within US & CAN Trade Advocacy Channels

Nice To Haves

Retail experience within the food, drug, general merchandise, and apparel sectors is considered a significant asset.

Responsibilities

Develop and continuously enhance internal Customs strategy, policies, processes, and procedures.
Proactively manage all government legislation and regulatory compliance for import and export activities, including overseeing government audits.
Lead, motivate, coach, and develop a high-performing, forward-thinking Customs compliance team.
Demonstrate a strong understanding of customs regulations, valuation, and classification specific to the food, drug, and apparel sectors.
Demonstrate a strong understanding of current and future US CBP, USDA APHIS, FDA, and US Transshipment regulations, and proactively navigate the complex US trade environment.
Apply deep technical knowledge of CBSA, CFIA, and Other Government Department (OGD) regulations (including release, accounting, origin, HS classification, e-Manifest, import permits, and certification requirements) to ensure efficient and compliant management of over 60% of import business transiting the US into Canada, T&T US, and FaaS operations.
Analyze and interpret current and future CBSA initiatives (e.g., CARM) to assess their potential impact on business operations and develop proactive strategies.
Demonstrate excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
Leverage strong business acumen and a collaborative mindset to cultivate and maintain robust relationships with diverse stakeholders (e.g., Procurement, Supply Chain, Merchandising, Finance), fostering seamless cross-functional cooperation.
Utilize familiarity with US & Canadian Trade Advocacy Channels to effectively engage with senior internal and external stakeholders, representing the company's interests.
Lead and direct special projects, including RPA Automation initiatives, data analytics, and the strategic integration of technology, AI, and machine learning within the Customs domain.
Create, implement, review, and act upon Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to optimize operational efficiency.
Be results-oriented, demonstrating strong decision-making capabilities, problem-solving prowess, and negotiation skills.