Director, Customs Operations & Compliance

Williams-Sonoma•Memphis, TN

10h•Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Customs Operations & Compliance position is located in Memphis, TN. The Director, Customs Operations & Compliance is responsible for leading the organization’s customs operations, trade compliance programs, and transportation activities that support a complex global supply chain. This role serves as the primary operational leader for customs execution, regulatory compliance, issue resolution, customer support, and continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring the accurate and timely clearance of imported goods across all transportation modes. The Director will develop and execute strategies that drive operational excellence, regulatory compliance, customer satisfaction, and organizational growth. This leader will partner across Supply Chain, Transportation, Sourcing, Merchandising, Finance, Legal, Product Development, and Operations teams to mitigate risk, optimize landed costs, leverage technology, and navigate an evolving global trade environment. The successful candidate is an experienced customs and trade compliance leader who combines deep technical expertise with strong business acumen, operational leadership, and a passion for developing people and driving innovation.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in International Trade, Supply Chain, Logistics, Finance, Engineering, Business, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least 10 years of progressive experience in customs operations, customs brokerage, international trade compliance, or related disciplines.
At least 8 years of leadership experience managing teams within Customs Brokerage, Trade Compliance, International Transportation, or Supply Chain organizations.
Active U.S. Customs Broker License required.
Expert knowledge of: Tariff classification, Customs valuation, Country of origin determination, Duty drawback and duty optimization programs, Free Trade Agreements and special trade programs, Import and export regulations, Export controls and sanctions compliance, Deemed exports and denied-party screening requirements.
Experience managing Customs audits, focused assessments, and compliance reviews.
Demonstrated success building compliance programs, governance structures, and risk mitigation processes.
Experience in tariff classification across a broad range of commodities, including textiles and consumer products.
Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving capabilities.
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining strong attention to detail.
Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.

Nice To Haves

Master of Business Administration (MBA) or advanced degree in International Trade, Supply Chain, Logistics, Finance, Business, or a related discipline.
Experience implementing or managing Global Trade Management (GTM), Customs Brokerage, Transportation Management, or Trade Compliance platforms.
Demonstrated success leveraging technology, automation, AI, and data analytics to streamline customs operations and improve compliance outcomes.
Experience creating compliance dashboards, workflow automation solutions, and KPI-driven management systems.
Strong background in audit readiness, compliance monitoring, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Experience evaluating tariff exposure, duty mitigation opportunities, landed-cost optimization, and supply chain risk management strategies.
Knowledge of international transportation and global sourcing operations.
Experience partnering with executive leadership on trade strategy and regulatory risk management.
Background in Retail, Consumer Goods, Manufacturing, Logistics, Supply Chain, Customs Brokerage, or Trade Compliance environments.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and oversight for customs operations, import clearance activities, and trade compliance programs.
Serve as the primary escalation point for operational questions, compliance issues, and customer concerns.
Ensure timely and compliant execution of U.S. Customs import entries across all transportation modes.
Maintain regulatory requirements associated with Powers of Attorney, Customs bonds, recordkeeping obligations, and compliance documentation.
Establish and maintain standardized operating procedures and best practices across the organization.
Monitor and communicate regulatory developments from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Partner Government Agencies (PGAs), Federal Register Notices, Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS) messages, and other governmental sources.
Ensure compliance with all applicable import, export, customs, trade, and transportation regulations.
Develop, implement, and maintain compliance programs, governance structures, and internal control frameworks designed to demonstrate reasonable care and mitigate regulatory risk.
Lead internal audit activities, post-entry reviews, corrective action plans, and compliance assessments.
Manage Customs audits, focused assessments, regulatory examinations, and government inquiries.
Oversee classification, valuation, country of origin, free trade agreement qualification, and other customs compliance requirements.
Maintain expertise in changing regulations and implement policies and procedures necessary to support business growth and global expansion.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Transportation, Sourcing, Merchandising, Inventory Management, Finance, Legal, Product Development, and Operations teams.
Assess the impact of changing tariffs, trade regulations, sanctions, and geopolitical developments on business operations.
Provide strategic guidance regarding duty mitigation opportunities, supply chain risk management, and landed cost optimization.
Communicate trade and compliance developments that may impact customers, suppliers, sourcing decisions, or operating costs.
Support business initiatives by developing compliant and cost-effective trade solutions.
Champion the use of technology, automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics to improve compliance performance and operational efficiency.
Evaluate, implement, and optimize Global Trade Management (GTM), customs brokerage, transportation, and compliance technologies.
Develop compliance dashboards, KPI reporting, and performance metrics to improve visibility and decision-making.
Drive process automation initiatives that enhance productivity, improve classification accuracy, strengthen controls, and reduce manual effort.
Establish scalable workflows and digital solutions that support business growth while maintaining strong compliance standards.
Recruit, lead, coach, and develop Customs and Transportation professionals.
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, customer service, and continuous improvement.
Develop succession plans and create opportunities for cross-functional growth and professional development.
Promote operational discipline, compliance awareness, and employee engagement throughout the organization.