YourLiebherrCareer: Foreign Trade Zone Manager

Liebherr•Tupelo, MS

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) Manager is responsible for overseeing all daily operations, compliance activities, and strategic growth of the Foreign Trade Zone program at our inland port facility. This leadership role requires extensive knowledge of U.S. Customs regulations, international trade compliance, and multimodal logistics operations. The FTZ Manager will serve as the primary liaison between U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), port tenants, third-party logistics providers, and internal stakeholders to ensure seamless zone operations and regulatory compliance.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field such as international trade, logistics business administration, supply chain management
A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in customs, trade compliance, or FTZ operations.
Demonstrated leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
Ability to pass a federal background check and maintain that status.
Travel domestically and internationally up to 5% of the time.
Obtain and maintain a valid driver’s license and passport.

Nice To Haves

Experience in inland port, warehouse, manufacturing, or 3PL environments a plus.
NAFTZ Accredited Zone Specialist (AZS) or Certified Zone Specialist (CZS) is a plus.
C-TPAT experience preferred.
Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) is a plus.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary point of contact for CBP officials and regulatory agencies.
Ensure full compliance with FTZ regulations, CBP requirements, and international trade laws.
Manage and execute a self-audit program to ensure continuous compliance with all U.S. FTZ and customs laws.
Coordinate FTZ audits and CBP inspections; implement corrective actions as needed
Direct and oversee all Foreign Trade Zone operations including zone admissions, withdrawals, and zone-to-zone transfers.
Maintain the FTZ Inventory Control and Recordkeeping System (ICRS).
Oversee the reconciliation of inventory records and conduct regular audits to ensure accuracy and auditreadiness.
Resolve found discrepancies.
Utilize U.S. Customs Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) and related platforms.
Lead, train, and mentor staff on FTZ processes, procedures, and compliance protocols.
Develop and maintain the FTZ operations manual and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Interface with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and other service providers to coordinate logistics and resolve operational issues.
Coordinate with warehousing, logistics, manufacturing, and sourcing teams to optimize zone utilization.
Maintain comprehensive records and documentation per FTZ Board and CBP requirements.
Manage duty deferral programs and tariff engineering opportunities.
Ensure the accurate and timely submission of required CBP documents (e.g., CF214, CF3461, CF7501), custom entries, and export transactions.
Remain current with changes to FTZ regulations, tariff classifications, and trade policy.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and optimize the FTZ program.
Conduct cost-benefit analyses to track savings and report performance to senior leadership.
Manages Direct Reports (~ 3).
Responsible for the overall direction, coordination and evaluation of FTZ Operations team.
Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.
Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work, appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.