Senior Corporate Counsel, Compliance - Trade

Caterpillar Inc.•Peoria, IL

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Caterpillar is seeking a Senior Corporate Counsel, Compliance - Trade in either Irving, Texas, Washington DC, or Peoria, Illinois to provide legal advice and support on customs and trade compliance matters. As a Senior Corporate Counsel, Compliance - Trade at Caterpillar, you won’t just advise on the law—you’ll help shape how a global company operates, grows, and helps our customers build a better, more sustainable world. This is a rare opportunity for a customs/trade attorney to step into a highly visible in-house role where your advice directly drives business outcomes. You’ll work alongside business leaders, advise on strategy, and solve complex, real-world challenges across global supply chains—all within a collaborative, high-performing legal team at an organization with consistent financial performance and historical significance. The role is focused on customs compliance support for the US and Canada and reports to the Associate General Counsel for Trade and Fair Competition, who is based in Irving, Texas.

Requirements

Knowledge of processes, tools, and techniques for assessing and controlling an organization's exposure to risks of various kinds; ability to apply knowledge of risk management appropriately to diverse situations
Knowledge of the decision-making process and associated tools and techniques; Willing to take initiative, bear risks, make decisions, and take responsibilities to resolve problems and improve business results
Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools, and techniques; Ability to collaborate vertically and horizontally, across levels and various business functions, and with external parties
Knowledge of effective self-management practices; ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time allocation
Knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational, or process problems; ability to apply knowledge of problem solving appropriately to diverse situations
Knowledge of the resources required to achieve business objectives; ability to plan, mobilize, and distribute resources to fulfill business objectives and plans
Knowledge of methods and tools used in legal analysis; ability to read, interpret, and draw accurate conclusions from both legal and factual information
Knowledge of the major responsibilities, accountabilities, and organization of the legal function or department; ability to provide legal consulting, advice, and assistance
J.D. or equivalent law degree from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials
Active Bar admission in any U.S. state or the ability to practice as in-house counsel in your work location
Must have meaningful law firm and/or in-house experience in US customs regulations and practices.
Four years of progressively advancing job-related experience is typically required

Nice To Haves

exposure to global trade issues or cross-border transactions is a plus.

Responsibilities

Partner with the business on day-to-day and strategic customs and trade compliance matters, including import/export procedures, tariff classification, customs valuation, duty suspension administration, free trade agreements, rules of origin, customs compliance process development, and other trade-related compliance requirements
Translate complex regulatory developments into clear, actionable guidance for business stakeholders
Shape and strengthen compliance programs by assisting with the design and improvement of policies, procedures, and controls that work in practice—not just on paper
Support strategic initiatives that intersect with global trade, supply chain, and Caterpillar’s growth objectives
Collaborate cross-functionally with trade, logistics, tax, and commercial teams to solve problems and enable the business
Work globally with legal colleagues around the world to deliver coordinated, high-quality legal support