Director of Trade Compliance

Airgas•Houston, TX

15d•$155,000 - $180,000•Remote

About The Position

The Director of Trade Compliance leads the strategic direction and management of Air Liquide’s trade organization by developing and driving a responsive global trade compliance program aligned with Group requirements. The role promotes compliance across the countries where Air Liquide operates, monitors and improves controls and processes, ensures adequate organizational focus and resources, and recommends actions to senior leaders when gaps are identified. The Director manages the company’s trade compliance program, policies, procedures, training, product classifications, risk assessments, technology tools, broker and freight-forwarder relationships, regulatory correspondence, records, reporting, and strategic initiatives. The role also supports business units and foreign affiliates, works with the Group International Trade Compliance Officer (GITCO), Legal, and external counsel, and leads voluntary self-disclosures to government agencies when needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, law, or international trade.
At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in a trade compliance function involving import and/or export compliance, preferably at an international company with multiple U.S. and international locations.
At least 10 years of import and export compliance experience at a multinational company.
Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and maintaining a trade compliance program, including training, policies, and guidelines.
Knowledge of Incoterms, Export Administration Regulations, ITAR, customs regulations, HTS and ECCN product classification, Free Trade Agreements, country-of-origin determination, non-U.S. import and export regulations, and anti-corruption.
Import or export certification, or equivalent experience.
Hands-on engagement or experience with BIS, U.S. Customs, OFAC, and corresponding EU regulatory agencies.
Understanding of OFAC and BIS requirements for restricted parties and countries, export licensing including technology review and deemed export licensing, and reporting and documentation.
In-depth expertise with the Harmonized Code System, its Explanatory Notes, and U.S. Customs classification.
Experience maintaining import and export data databases in compliance with U.S. Customs reporting requirements.
Experience building departmental and/or cross-functional trade controls governance infrastructure.
Experience managing multiple projects, processes, or project management activities.
Excellent leadership and management skills, including managing employees directly or indirectly.
Proven experience identifying, re-engineering, and implementing global trade compliance processes and procedures.

Nice To Haves

CUSECO (Certified U.S. Export Compliance Officer), CES (Certified Export Specialist), and/or LCB (Licensed Customs Broker) certification.
Experience with Oracle or SAP.
Advanced degree.

Responsibilities

Further develop, implement, and manage the company’s Trade Compliance program, including policies and procedures applicable to all business units and foreign affiliates.
Provide training to associates involved in import and export transactions.
Provide strategic guidance, training, and direction to designated International Trade Compliance Representatives supporting business units and foreign affiliates.
Develop or update trade compliance training programs and implement a system to track training completion.
Ensure HTS and ECCN classifications for company products are identified and maintained for imports and exports.
Conduct business-unit risk assessments, identify trade compliance gaps, and issue recommendations to each business unit President.
Identify technology tools to enhance the trade compliance program and improve manual processes.
Lead meetings with management to justify investment in trade compliance projects, including a Global Trade Management system and product classifications.
Issue and manage Customs Powers of Attorney and Broker/Freight Forwarder Standard Operating Procedures.
Manage customs broker and freight-forwarding relationships, ensuring accurate filings and timely invoice payment.
Support regulatory correspondence, including requests for information, violations, and penalty notices.
Manage the electronic trade compliance recordkeeping platform and ensure records are accessible for assessments and audits.
Provide monthly project status reports to the Group International Trade Compliance Officer.
Issue quarterly import and export data reports to senior business-unit management.
Lead voluntary self-disclosures to government agencies on trade matters in coordination with GITCO, Air Liquide Legal, and external trade compliance counsel.
Develop, implement, and manage other trade compliance strategic initiatives.