Sr Manager, Ocean Freight & Customs Compliance

Campbell's•Camden, NJ

15d

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Ocean Freight & Customs Compliance owns the company’s inbound ocean freight and U.S. customs clearance process, from booking through clearance, delivery, and port drayage. The role manages ocean carrier and freight forwarder performance and leads a proactive customs compliance program that protects importer-of-record responsibilities, ensures adherence to applicable customs requirements, and mitigates regulatory, financial, and supply continuity risks. The position works across Supply Chain, Transportation, Procurement, Customer Engagement, Legal, and other business functions, while providing oversight and direction to external customs brokers and logistics providers. The role leads a team responsible for inbound ocean freight and U.S. import operations end to end, including carrier and forwarder management, booking and container visibility, demurrage and detention, customs clearance, broker oversight, classification and duty management, and importer-of-record compliance. It also supports Procurement-led ocean freight RFPs. Success is measured through ocean freight cost, demurrage and detention costs, on-time arrivals, clearance time, invoice accuracy, entry and classification accuracy, avoided penalties and holds, duty savings, and timely corrective actions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least 8 years of experience in ocean freight, customs, import compliance, international trade, or related functions.
Deep hands-on U.S. import expertise, including experience managing customs compliance for an importer of record.
Strong knowledge of customs classification, valuation, country of origin, tariffs and duties, import documentation, customs broker management, and regulatory compliance.
Experience managing ocean freight as a beneficial cargo owner (BCO) or with a freight forwarder or NVOCC, including carrier and forwarder management and demurrage and detention control.
Experience working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection processes and ACE.
Working knowledge of trade compliance systems (such as SAP GTS), ERP, and Excel or Power BI for reporting.
Experience establishing or managing customs compliance controls and audit readiness.
Ability to travel 25% to plants, ports, and broker and forwarder sites.

Nice To Haves

At least 10 years of experience in ocean freight, customs, import compliance, international trade, or related functions.
Experience in consumer packaged goods, food, manufacturing, or another high-volume importing environment.
Licensed Customs Broker or Certified Customs Specialist (CCS).

Responsibilities

Support Procurement-led ocean freight RFPs and contract negotiations by providing lane, volume, performance, and operational requirements.
Manage ocean carrier and freight forwarder performance, including transit times, rolled bookings, and allocation compliance.
Oversee bookings and container visibility from origin through U.S. port arrival.
Control demurrage and detention costs by improving the handoff between customs clearance and drayage.
Coordinate port drayage and inland moves with domestic Transportation.
Audit ocean freight invoices against contracted rates and accessorials, and report ocean spend.
Plan for and respond to port congestion, blank sailings, labor disruptions, and rate volatility.
Own U.S. import and customs compliance as the company’s primary internal expert, including oversight of importer-of-record responsibilities and related controls.
Monitor changes in customs regulations, tariff actions, and import policies and assess their business impact.
Own entry-level compliance, including valuation, country of origin and marking, post-summary corrections, and prior disclosures.
Provide guidance on complex, non-routine, and out-of-policy import activity.
Establish standardized customs compliance processes, documentation requirements, and governance across imported products and materials.
Manage and audit customs brokers, serve as a primary escalation point, review import clearance data against source documentation, and establish provider expectations and performance measures.
Coordinate with domestic Transportation and ocean partners to resolve clearance holds and border issues while maintaining compliance.
Own customs classification, tariff assessments, applicable exemptions, and guidance on tariff treatment for imported products and materials.
Identify customs compliance risks and work with Legal, Procurement, and Supply Chain stakeholders on resolution.
Own duty-savings programs, including USMCA and other free trade agreement claims, duty drawback, and Foreign Trade Zone evaluation; partner with Procurement on first-sale valuation while maintaining regulatory compliance.
Serve as business owner for importer activity within the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), govern importer account information, and coordinate responses to relevant U.S. Customs and Border Protection communications.
Support governance of customs bonds and importer-of-record information; lead CTPAT participation or assess whether the company should join.
Own FDA Prior Notice filing and resolution of FDA holds, partnering with Quality, which owns the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP).
Own Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2) timeliness and accuracy with ocean partners and brokers.
Develop and maintain customs compliance controls, documentation standards, and recordkeeping practices.
Establish periodic compliance reviews and spot checks to identify risks before they cause financial or supply disruption.
Support government inquiries and customs audits and coordinate internal responses.
Manage responses to CBP detentions, including UFLPA detentions, working with Procurement to obtain supplier documentation.
Lead investigations and corrective actions related to customs compliance issues, and report on material risks, corrective actions, and emerging regulatory issues.
Partner with Transportation, Procurement, Customer Engagement, Legal, and other stakeholders to clarify ownership and governance of import-related activities.
Advise business teams on customs implications of new products, suppliers, sourcing decisions, and non-routine imports.
Build organizational customs compliance capability through education, standards, and practical guidance.
Lead, coach, and develop a team covering ocean freight execution and customs compliance; set goals and performance expectations and provide regular feedback and reviews.
Hire and onboard team members and establish cross-training and backup coverage for critical activities.
Establish standard work, workload balancing, and escalation paths so the team can resolve routine issues independently.

Benefits

Medical insurance, including coverage for individuals, families, and domestic partners.
Dental insurance.
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
AD&D insurance.
Life insurance.
Matching 401(k) plan with immediate vesting; employees can enroll on their first day.
Unlimited sick time.
Paid time off.
Holiday pay.
Free access to the fitness center for employees in WHQ.
Access to on-site day care operated by Bright Horizons.
Company store.
Campbell’s Cares matches employee donations and/or volunteer activity up to $1,500 annually.
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs).
Wellness benefits beginning on the first day of employment.