Group Leader - Customs

Date: Sep 22, 2025

Location: Lafayette, IN, US, 47905

Company: Subaru

Group Leader - Customs

Finance

 

Position Overview:

 

The Group Leader of Customs provides strategic leadership and supports the day-to-day goals and objectives of SIA’s Customs team. This role ensures compliance with U.S. and international import/export laws and regulations, with a focus on product classifications, FTZ operations, and regulatory filings.

 

Outline of duties:

 

  • Manage Foreign Trade Zone (FTZs) operations, ensuring full regulatory compliance with FTZ requirements by ensuring proper inventory control and reporting in FTZs, including maintaining inventory tracking systems and related filings.
  • Support the development, implementation, and administration of the organization's import and export procedures and processes to ensure compliance with regulations established by origin and destination countries.
  • Ensure the accurate preparation and maintenance of import/export documentation (customs declarations, duty payments, certificates of origin, FTZ operational reports) to meet all regulatory requirements.
  • Develop and administer classification decisions for various product types to improve efficiency and ensure accuracy. Assess legacy classifications for consistency and accuracy and support data transfer into ERP systems.
  • Conduct internal audits and compliance assessments to identify potential areas of risk and recommend corrective actions to mitigate these risks.
  • Assist with responses to government inquiries and requests (e.g. CF-28s and CF-29s) related to export and import entries.
  • Identify and document applicable Partner Government Agency (PGA) requirements based on product classifications, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulatory bodies.
  • Develop, implement, and maintain corporate policies and procedures related to product classification and compliance to ensure consistency across the organization.
  • Support trade programs and initiatives, such as duty preference programs, derived from a product’s import-export classification, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations.
  • Deliver clear communications to a variety of audiences. Foster open communication with internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
  • Develop and maintain positive relationships with business and technical areas, including supporting the development of the Customs team Associates.
  • All other related duties as assigned.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

 

  • Bachelor’s degree in Finance, International Business, or a related field, or equivalent combination of relevant experience and education
  • 4 years of relevant experience, including experience working for an importer (preferably a manufacturing importer) and/or with a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ)
  • Expert knowledge of relevant import, export, and FTZ regulations, including classification, valuation, country of origin, and bonded transportation and storage.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

 

  • Master’s degree in a relevant field
  • Experience with SAP, OpenText, Concur, Ariba, and/or JIRA
  • Licensed Customs Broker and/or certifications such as CCS, ITCC, CUSECO
  • Experience working for an importer (preferably a manufacturing importer) and/or an FTZ strongly preferred.
  • Experience with any or all the following: ECCN classification, export licensing, AD/CVD, duty drawback, FTA certification, C-TPAT, ISA, bonded facilities/freight, etc.
  • Experience with trade automation software such as Integration Point, Amber Road, SAP GTS, Descartes, etc.
  • Experience with government inquiries/audits and managing associated risk.
  • Experience using advanced Excel functions (e.g., index matches, pivot tables, macros, etc.) is strongly preferred.

 

 

Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to employing a diverse workforce.


Nearest Major Market: Lafayette