Trade Operations Southern Border Lead, MedTech

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine•El Paso, TX

1d•$94,000 - $151,800

About The Position

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at jnj.com As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit. We are searching for the best talent for a Trade Operations Southern Border Lead, MedTech to be based in El Paso, TX. About MedTech Fueled by innovation at the intersection of biology and technology, we’re developing the next generation of smarter, less invasive, more personalized treatments. Your unique talents will help patients on their journey to wellness. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/medtech. Purpose: The Trade Operations Southern Border Lead provides hands‑on operational ownership and tactical oversight of Southern‑border maquila activities and U.S. import/export execution for Johnson & Johnson. Reporting to the Manager, Trade Operations MedTech North America, this role is the company’s primary operational representative to U.S. Customs (CBP), FDA (as applicable), customs brokers, carriers, 3PLs, surety providers, maquila partners and other governmental authorities. This position ensures, together with other associates from Trade Operations North America also responsible for risk management and post-audit activities, compliance and integrity of Importer of Record (IOR) and Exporter of Record (EOR) responsibilities across the U.S. territory while actively managing the end‑to‑end lifecycle of Temporary Importation under Bond (TIB) to avoid bond claims, penalties, and supply disruptions.

Requirements

Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, International Trade, Business, Law, or related field (or equivalent experience) required.
Fluent Spanish / English required.
6–10 years of progressive experience in customs, trade compliance, or cross‑border operations; specific experience with maquiladora/IMMEX, or equivalent programs, strongly preferred.
Hands‑on experience acting as or closely supporting Importer of Record and Exporter of Record responsibilities for U.S. imports/exports.
Direct experience managing Maquila and/or Temporary Importation under Bond (TIB) processes and lifecycle preferred.
Experience with SAP GTS, customs entry software, and EDI/ACE integrations.
Prior experience supporting FDA‑regulated product imports/exports or working with regulated supply‑chains.
Experience with duty mitigation programs (FTZ, drawback) and preferential origin documentation.
Demonstrated experience working directly with U.S. Customs (CBP) and managing customs broker/forwarder relationships.
Strong knowledge of HTS classification, valuation, country‑of‑origin rules, duty regimes, USMCA, ACE/AES filing processes, and broker interactions.
Proven ability to manage complex operational issues, lead cross‑functional projects, and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to interact with regulators, vendors, and senior leadership.

Nice To Haves

Licensed Customs Broker and/or Certified Customs Specialist preferred.

Responsibilities

Oversee day‑to‑day maquila operational workflows (inbound raw materials, temporary import regimes, outgoing finished goods), with focus in US Customs, to support accurate IOR/EOR filings.
Serve as Johnson & Johnson’s operational representative with U.S. Customs, brokers, freight forwarders, carriers, 3PLs, and maquila partners for all IOR/EOR based in the US.
Ensure accuracy of HTS classifications, valuations, country of origin, marking, and duty treatment for IOR / EOR in US territory.
Ensure filings align with U.S. Customs requirements (ACE, AES, ISF, entry types), and customs broker submissions.
Maintain audit readiness for customs, trade, and regulatory inspections.
Coordinate with customs brokers, surety providers, maquila partners, and carriers to secure appropriate bond coverage, track expiration dates, and manage timely dispositions to avoid penalties or bond claims.
Oversees TIB documentation completeness (bonds, TIB entry numbers, export confirmations, proof of exportation, and liquidation paperwork) and reconcile TIB records with finance and trade systems.
Lead remediation and corrective actions involving gaps that might compromise the adherence of IORs / EORs obligations regarding Trade practices in US territory, including TIBs (late exports, extensions not filed, bond claims), and coordinate protests or appeals where appropriate.
Coordinate incident response for detentions, holds, penalties, bond claims, and disputes with customs authorities; coordinate mitigation and, if needed, formal protests.
Respond to requests for information (RFIs), audits, and inquiries from U.S. Customs, FDA, and other government agencies; coordinate evidence collection, prepare responses, and manage follow‑up until resolution.
Monitor compliance KPIs, duty optimization opportunities (e.g., preferential origin under USMCA), drawback, FTZ or bonded solutions where applicable, and identify cost‑saving opportunities that maintain compliance.
Drive standard operating procedures, controls, and process improvements for cross‑border trade, TIB management, and maquila operations to reduce risk and cost and increase speed to market.
Serve as the trade compliance subject matter expert (SME) for cross‑functional and Operating Company (OpCo) projects — providing analysis, implementation guidance, and risk assessments to supply‑chain initiatives.
Navigate in Trade Software tools to perform reconciliations, audits and check-points of E2E transactions, involving Maquila, including Mexico Inbound / IMMEX / “Pedimentos” / Mex Exports / US Import, to identify inconsistencies and reduce declaration exposure.
Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders (Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Legal, Tax, Finance) to ensure smooth cross‑functional execution.
Follow internal Trade Procedures and maintain audit readiness for customs, trade, and regulatory inspections; Proactively identify, quantify, and implement duty‑savings initiatives (duty drawback, preferential origin claims, FTZ strategies), and track realized savings.
Partner with J&J Deliver Quality, and other areas, to ensure that activities are managed within the appropriate corporate framework and comply with other Johnson & Johnson guidelines (RIM, Procurement Red Book, Travel Policy, Training, etc).

Benefits

Subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).
Subject to the terms of their respective policies and date of hire, employees are eligible for the following time off benefits:
Vacation –120 hours per calendar year
Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Colorado –48 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year
Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year
Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year
Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child
Bereavement Leave – 240 hours for an immediate family member: 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year
Caregiver Leave – 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period
10 days Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year
Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year
For additional general information on Company benefits, please go to: https://www.careers.jnj.com/employee-benefits