Trade Compliance Specialist Sr

Volkswagen AG•Reston, VA

8d•$111,000 - $199,800•Hybrid

About The Position

The Trade Compliance Specialist Sr role is a hybrid position located in Reston, Virginia. It requires extensive collaboration with North American Region leadership and colleagues, other business units, Volkswagen Group of America, Volkswagen AG, and foreign corporate logistics and customs departments. The role promotes integrity and compliance and leads the team in accordance with company principles. It ensures compliance with import and export regulations involving classification, valuation, quantity, origin declarations, Free Trade Agreement eligibility, ongoing process maintenance, duty reclamation, training, and other business-identified areas. The position oversees customs compliance programs and operational activities, including trade agreement processes, reconciliations, special programs, and customs procedures. It provides technical guidance, manages customs specialists’ work and departmental training, serves as a key backup to the Customs Manager and Director of Customs and Trade Compliance, and acts as a liaison with a Global Trade Management System software vendor. The role also supports customs-related financial analysis and reporting, including duty accruals, projections, tariff analysis, and planning and forecast activities.

Requirements

At least 7 years of direct experience with international logistics and customs systems and formalities.
At least 5 years in a similar or compatible role.
A four-year bachelor’s degree in International Business, Supply Chain, Business, or Finance, or a combination of education and experience; the qualifications section also specifies a bachelor’s degree in Business or Political Science, or equivalent experience.
Customs broker license.
Working knowledge of customs valuation rules, reconciliation concepts, entry audits, clearance procedures, classification rules, and PGA requirements.
Knowledge of Duty Drawback, Foreign Trade Zones, Free Trade Agreements, and KORUS.
Knowledge of accounting procedures.
Understanding of logistics operations, inventory flows, MRP, and database management.
Understanding of purchasing, accounting, and goods-receipt relationships.
Working knowledge of SAP/ERP, including MM and PP.
Understanding of automotive-related customs regulations.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and in software use and data analysis.
Experience writing customs rulings and responding to Customs requests for information.
Experience with U.S. Customs procedures and trade practices, including the ability to interpret regulations.
Experience with federal and international customs laws and familiarity with customs information sources.
Working knowledge of Harmonized Tariff Schedule classification rules.
Ability to analyze data, select audit samples, and write results reports.
Ability to independently develop, implement, and manage customs processes and procedures on an ongoing basis.
Ability to integrate existing and new customs procedures into the corporation through collaboration with other processes.
Ability to work independently, take initiative, and manage multiple tasks.
Analytical and conceptual thinking, sound judgment, and the ability to identify customs concerns and adjustments.
Ability to locate information from varied sources and apply it.
Ability to train others on customs procedures.
Demonstrated knowledge of USMCA/FTA, FTA reconciliation, value reconciliation, C-TPAT, and Foreign Trade Zones.
Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation communication skills, including English-language presentation skills.
Influencing, negotiation, integration, teamwork, and organizational skills, with a record of precision and integrity.

Nice To Haves

Licensed U.S. Customs Broker is listed as desired, although a customs broker license is also listed among the required skills.

Responsibilities

Track customs service-provider performance, compliance programs, and savings opportunities for monthly reporting.
Support Supply Chain in identifying global sourcing alternatives that minimize duty costs.
Develop and manage internal controls for import and export compliance.
Research and provide technical assistance interpreting laws and regulations, product descriptions, tariff codes, and country-of-origin rules; resolve regional and country import/export compliance issues.
Represent Volkswagen to government agencies as required.
Prepare detailed analysis and reports for management.
Work with Purchasing and suppliers to verify country-of-origin status for Free Trade Agreement purposes.
Perform USMCA reconciliation analysis and filing.
Perform value reconciliation analysis and filing.
Oversee the FTA process, including solicitations, qualification calculations, and communication with business units.
Perform AALA/Café calculations and fixed-asset assist analysis and data entry.
Maintain and audit special programs, including C-TPAT, PCMS, and Reconciliation.
Maintain knowledge of multimodal and global freight forwarding and customs clearance requirements.
Maintain daily contact with the VWGoA Customs department and maintain the corporate import/export database in collaboration with that department.
Maintain knowledge of U.S. and foreign customs regulations, import/export limits, and requirements.
Provide operational supervision and oversight of Customs Specialists working on FTA processes and qualification, C-TPAT, value reconciliation, USMCA reconciliation, and Department of Labor Bureau Price Index data.
Provide ad hoc technical and conceptual guidance on Foreign Trade Zone operations, import/export compliance, post-entry matters, special programs, duty reclamation, and duty impact.
Serve as a key backup to the Customs Manager and Director of Customs and Trade Compliance, with decision-making authority on customs operational and compliance matters.
Lead vendor liaison activities for the Global Trade Management System; work with the vendor to support system accuracy and stability and lead business meetings for system maintenance and enhancements.
Oversee departmental training responsibilities.
Communicate with VWGoA Customs and stay informed about ongoing topics, potential concerns, issues, and challenges, including those involving Group Brand worldwide logistics and customs departments.
Create and maintain customs duty accruals.
Analyze duty ledger postings and accrual performance.
Prepare duty projections and impact analyses for planning rounds and forecasts.
Respond to ad hoc customs-related analysis requests.
Represent Customs with the Finance/Controlling team for actuals, forecasts, and planning-round activities.
Prepare tariff reporting and analysis for VWGoA and VW AG as required.
Analyze duty impacts for business units as requested.
Perform other tasks and duties as assigned.