Manager, Customs

Manager-Customs

Finance Department

Company Overview:

Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. or “SIA”, located in Lafayette, Indiana, is the only Subaru vehicle manufacturing facility outside of Japan. SIA is a 4.4 million square foot automotive OEM – meaning our manufacturing process begins with coils of steel and ends with the high-quality vehicles you see out on the roads. We employ 6500+ Associates, both production and administrative, all under one roof. SIA is the safest automotive manufacturing plant in the United States and is also a pillar in the community due to its numerous fundraising activities held onsite, donations to local charities and plentiful volunteer opportunities. SIA is a frontrunner in environmental stewardship being the first Zero-Landfill automotive manufacturing plant and the first to have its campus designated a backyard wildlife habitat. SIA has grown tremendously since its 1989 beginnings and continues to be an example of success within the automotive industry.

Summary:

The Manager of Customs provides leadership and establishes the daily goals and objectives for SIA’s Customs team. This role ensures compliance of organizational import and export operations based on U.S. Customs, Department of Commerce, and other U.S. government laws and regulations.

Outline of duties: 

• Develops, implements, and administers the organization’s import and export procedures and process to ensure compliance with regulations established by origin and destination countries.
• Provides oversight to the Customs team in monitoring inbound and outbound shipment compliance, as well as FTZ operations, including ensuring that shipments are appropriately documented, customs, or registration forms are accurately completed, and reports are stored as required.
• Researches and stays current with customs regulations and international trade agreements, including monitoring pending legislation both domestically and internationally to prepare organizational response(s) and business processes, and offers subject matter expertise in a leadership capacity on all customs-related project activity.
• Ensures the most effective utilization of resources to minimize import duties and maximize operational efficiencies.
• Establishes and manages business relationships with customs brokers, freight forwarders, or other service providers.
• Leads and provides clear communication to the organization on all customs-related content to a variety of audiences.
• Manages all audit activity related to customs compliance
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with all related business and technical areas, including the development of the Customs Associates.
• All other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, International Business, related field, or equivalent combination of relevant experience and education
• Eight years of relevant experience, including experience working for an importer (especially a manufacturing importer) and/or an FTZ 
• Expert knowledge of relevant import, export, and foreign trade zone regulations, including classification, valuation, country of origin, and bonded transportation and storage issues.
• Experience with trade automation (Onesource, E2open, MIC, SAP, GTS, Descartes, etc.)
• Experience with SAP and/or other ERP systems.
• Experience working with Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders
• Experience with government inquiries/audits and managing risk.
• Prior managerial and supervisory experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• High level of professionalism and outstanding business judgment requiring minimal supervision. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or similar software
• Ability to foster teamwork and influence others

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Licensed Customs Broker and/or CCS, ITCC, CUSECO, or similar certifications
• Experience with drawback
• JD and/or MBA degree

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