Director, Customs Surety & In-transit Warehouse

Forward Air•Dallas, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Customs Surety & In-transit Warehouse is responsible for ensuring full regulatory compliance across all Container Freight Station (CFS) activities and in‑bond movements. This role oversees in‑bond creation, maintenance, closure, and reconciliation; ensures adherence to CBP regulations; and maintains the accuracy and integrity of cargo control documentation. The director partners closely with brokerage, drayage, carriers, and internal operations teams to ensure compliant cargo flow and timely resolution of exceptions. This position does not include warehouse labor or physical cargo handling.

Requirements

3–5+ years of experience in customs compliance, CFS operations, or in‑bond management.
Strong knowledge of CBP regulations, including 19 CFR Parts 18 and 19.
Experience with ACE, ABI, AMS, and in‑bond processing systems.
Excellent attention to detail, documentation skills, and regulatory discipline.
Ability to manage high‑volume, time‑sensitive cargo control processes.

Nice To Haves

Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Ensure all CFS activities comply with 19 CFR Part 19 and CBP requirements.
Maintain and update CFS SOPs, internal controls, and compliance documentation.
Monitor cargo arrivals, holds, releases, and transfers for regulatory accuracy.
Oversee timely and accurate reporting in CBP systems (e.g., ACE, AMS, ABI).
Create, update, and close in‑bond movements (IT, T&E, IE) in compliance with CBP regulations.
Monitor in‑bond aging, exceptions, and overdue movements; drive timely resolution.
Reconcile in‑bond records against carrier, terminal, and internal system data.
Coordinate with carriers, drayage providers, and brokers to ensure proper cargo control.
Conduct internal audits of CFS records, in‑bond files, and cargo control documentation.
Investigate discrepancies, initiate corrective actions, and maintain audit trails.
Prepare for CBP reviews, compliance assessments, and focused assessments.
Identify compliance risks and implement mitigation strategies.
Partner with brokerage, transportation, and customer service teams to ensure compliant cargo flow.
Serve as the internal subject‑matter expert on CFS regulations and in‑bond procedures.
Communicate regulatory changes and ensure operational alignment.
Maintain accurate logs, reports, and dashboards for CFS and in‑bond activity.
Provide regular compliance updates to leadership.
Ensure all documentation meets CBP retention and recordkeeping requirements.