Senior Counsel, Trade Compliance & Customs

Panasonic • Newark, NJ

1d

About The Position

The Senior Counsel, Trade Compliance & Customs serves as the legal and functional leader for customs and international trade compliance across North American operations. The role provides strategic legal counsel and oversight for customs, import compliance, tariff management, duty optimization, customs audits, government inquiries, and regulatory risk mitigation. Approximately 80% or more of the role is focused on customs-related legal advice and matter management, with the remaining time dedicated to broader trade compliance responsibilities.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
• Eight or more years of legal experience focused on customs law.
• Independently evaluates complex and evolving customs and trade regulations, identifies legal and operational risk, and develops practical solutions that balance compliance requirements with business objectives.
• Leads responses to audits, investigations, enforcement matters, and high-impact cross-border issues that may affect cost, product flow, or business continuity, at the direction of the Chief Legal Officer or Chief Compliance Officer.
• Regularly advises executive leaders and partners with Legal, Supply Chain, Procurement, Logistics, Finance, Government Affairs, and business teams.
• Requires the ability to influence decisions, explain complex legal requirements clearly, and drive alignment across functions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond to time-sensitive customs and trade matters.
• Deep expertise in U.S. customs laws and regulations, including tariff classification, valuation, country of origin, duty programs, and enforcement
• Trade compliance program experience, governance, risk assessment, and internal controls
• Prior experience managing attorneys (outside counsel or law firm associates)
• Strategic thinking, sound legal judgment, and practical risk-based decision-making
• Executive presence and the ability to influence across functions and levels
• Business acumen and understanding of global supply chain, procurement, logistics, and manufacturing operations
• Cross-functional collaboration, relationship building, and change leadership
• Clear written and verbal communication, negotiation, and advocacy
• Analytical problem solving, project management, integrity, and accountability
• Must have valid authorization to work in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

• Experience advising multinational, manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, or logistics organizations is strongly preferred.
• Periodic domestic and international travel may be required based on business needs.
• In-house corporate legal experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide all customs legal and compliance legal advice pertaining to: USMCA, tariff classification, customs valuation, country-of-origin determinations, customs rulings, post-entry corrections, and FTZ compliance.
• Monitor customs and trade regulatory developments; assess business impact; communicate recommendations to leadership; and deliver relevant compliance training to stakeholders.
• Support customs audits, government inquiries, investigations, disclosures, penalties, and enforcement matters, coordinating with regulators, outside counsel, customs brokers, and external advisors as needed.
• Advise Supply Chain, Procurement, Logistics, Finance, and business teams on duty optimization strategies, tariff mitigation, free trade agreements, duty drawbacks, special customs programs, and cross-border supply chain efficiencies.
• Develop and oversee customs compliance policies to ensure adherence to import regulations, forced labor requirements, and documentation standards, as well as Panasonic global policies and standards.
• Coordinate corresponding trade compliance procedures and standards, as appropriate, with operational trade compliance teams.
• Provide legal advice and oversight for broader trade compliance matters, including export controls, economic sanctions, anti-boycott requirements, and other international trade regulations.
• Serves as the customs and trade compliance legal subject matter expert in the Legal & Compliance function.
• Manages outside counsel, consultants, and other external resources within approved authority.
• Serves as the primary legal lead for customs and import compliance matters across North American operations.

Benefits

• Offering medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, plus Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
• Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance.
• 401(k) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting.
• Vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer, and parental & caregiver leave.
• Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service.
• Lifestyle Spending Account, EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition, neurodiversity, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, and life stage and fertility resources.
• High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition
• Opportunity for an annual performance-based bonus.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree