Customs Import Team Lead

This position follows a Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time schedule.

About the role

This position oversees the import process, either directly or indirectly through direct reports, and ensures compliance with U.S. and foreign government laws and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Guides customers through customs requirements and processes by preparing and submitting documents, determining tariff and duty payments, tracking shipments, and using the tariff coding system to classify shipments
• Ensures all government (U.S. and other) required forms and information are compliant and appropriately provided to relevant parties
• Resolves customer problems accurately and professionally
• Helps importers and exporters understand and meet the rules and regulations put in place by the federal government with regard to the trade industry
• Works closely with other departments, including sales, to pursue new sales leads, and discusses and sells various services with current clients and Operations to resolve issues as they pertain to Customs
• Works with Customs to resolve problems
• Responsible for the operation of the office when the manager is absent, unless the district manager is standing in for the manager
• Provides written and oral instructions to direct reports; assigns duties and reviews work for accuracy and conformance to the Company’s policies and procedures
• Strives to maintain harmony among workers by proactively addressing performance issues or grievances
• Assists subordinates as needed to complete the work of the department
• Stays up-to-date on all customs and Deringer procedure changes
• Exports audit reports and assigns them to regional employees, ensuring they can view and are aware of open audits
• Manages aging/unresolved audits, communicating status as needed to managers and employees, to ensure completion and provide guidance and consultation as needed to help resolve issues
• Provides coverage for CHB operations when staffing needs arise throughout the region
• Performs routine and periodic Relationship Reviews, in coordination with Key Account Managers and the Sales team
• Provides regional support to cross-training and development initiatives within the region, to ensure continuity and operations
• Performs additional duties as assigned by management

Requirements

• High school Diploma/GED
• Previous supervisory/managerial experience
• Previous training experience
• Previous experience with the shipment clearance process
• Previous experience keying entries

Preferred Qualifications

• Licensed Customs Broker (LCB)
• Certified Customs Specialist (CCS)

Skills

In addition to Deringer’s Core Values—Passion, Respect, Integrity, Expertise, Innovative Solutions, Relationships, Support, Determination, Value, and a High Level of Accountability—the following competencies are specific to this position:

• Analytical – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; applies feedback to improve performance; monitors own work to ensure quality; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; demonstrates ability to multi-task and establish priorities.
• Customer Oriented – Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs; solicits customer feedback to improve service; demonstrates ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive and negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions.
• Interpersonal Skills – Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; remains open to others’ ideas and tries new things; takes responsibility for own actions; contributes to building a positive team spirit; supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.
• Motivation – Sets and achieves challenging goals; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; measures self against standard of excellence; takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
• Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem-solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Work Standards – Sets high standards and well-defined realistic goals for one’s self; displays a high level of effort and commitment towards completing tasks in a timely manner; demonstrates ability to work independently; meets deadlines and handles large volumes of work.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans
• Many excellent voluntary health and wellness benefits
• Generous paid time off, including paid holidays
• Flexible work environment to assure a positive integration of work and life

Pay

The salary range of compensation for this position is $54,000–$70,000 based on experience and education.