Manager, Import Customs House Brokerage (CHB)

AIT Worldwide Logistics•Palatine, IL

About The Position

The Manager, Import Customs House Brokerage (CHB) directs day-to-day import customs clearance of international freight across air, ocean, and domestic modes. The role establishes policies, service standards, and KPI targets; leads and develops the import team; and ensures compliance with federal and foreign regulations governing shipment, receipt, customs clearance, and documentation of imported products. The manager oversees import compliance and customs documentation, including tariff and duty computation, entry accuracy, and examination of commercial invoices, bills of lading, and clearance documentation. The role manages staff, establishes and administers operating procedures, owns import CHB KPI performance, ensures customer SOPs are followed, and directs qualification of customer shipping requirements and preparation of accurate, profitable quotations. The position also coordinates import schedules and communications with customers, carriers, customs brokers, ports, cartage agents, and international partners; monitors shipment delays, damages, and other issues; and ensures clearance and delivery schedules are met. The manager ensures entries are billed within company guidelines and timelines and drives departmental continuous improvement. Other duties may be assigned, and the role must comply with all policies and standards.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, International Business, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field.
At least 5 years of experience in international freight forwarding import customs brokerage (air, ocean, and/or domestic) or a related field.
At least 3 years of supervisory or people-management experience.
At least 1 year as a Licensed Customs Broker.
Customs Brokerage License.
Knowledge of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Partner Government Agency (PGA) work experience and regulations.
General computer skills.
Proficiency in a Transportation Management System (TMS) / CargoWise.
Working knowledge of international air, ocean, and domestic freight forwarding and customs clearance processes.
Complete understanding and wide application of principles, theories, and concepts in the functional or business area.
Knowledge of quality and productivity improvements, training, budgeting, and cost control.
Understanding of supervisory approaches for work direction, motivation, and disciplinary action.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

Ensure compliance with federal and foreign regulations governing shipment, receipt, customs clearance, and documentation of imported products across modes and facilities.
Oversee tariff and duty computation, customs entry accuracy, and examination of commercial invoices, bills of lading, and clearance documentation.
Supervise two or more staff and handle hiring, coaching, training, and employee development.
Establish, monitor, and revise import operating policies, procedures, and service standards, and ensure they are consistently administered.
Assign work, set completion dates, review work, and manage performance in accordance with organizational policies and processes.
Meet KPI targets for the Import CHB product and ensure customer SOP instructions and AIT KPIs and guidelines are followed.
Direct the qualification of customers’ shipping requirements and preparation of accurate, profitable quotations.
Establish and monitor import schedules and communicate with customers, carriers, customs brokers, and ports to verify arrivals, clearance, and delivery.
Oversee recovery and delivery schedule coordination with cartage agents and international partners across modes, partnering with local sales teams as needed.
Oversee tracking of delays, damages, and problems; ensure clearances are on schedule and identify and correct schedule deviations.
Ensure entries are properly billed within company guidelines and timelines.
Drive continuous improvement across the department.
Perform other duties as assigned and comply with company policies and standards.