Senior Trade Compliance Manager
About the role
The Trade Operations Manager will serve as a key leader within Arrow’s Global Logistics organization, responsible for the execution and governance of trade compliance programs, tariff mitigation strategies, duty optimization initiatives, and transportation operations. This role bridges regulatory expertise with operational execution, ensuring that Arrow’s cross-border activities remain compliant, cost-effective, and aligned with enterprise objectives.
Responsibilities
Lead and coordinate global trade programs ensuring compliance with import, export, customs, and trade regulations while supporting Arrow’s business objectives.
Own and manage the Global Trade Operations — aligning priorities, sequencing initiatives, and managing interdependencies across compliance, automation, and regional and global activities.
Establish and maintain a disciplined operating cadence including regular status reviews, action tracking, dependency management, and risk escalation.
Translate regulatory strategy, policy changes, and leadership direction into actionable program plans with clear milestones and sustained follow-through.
Develop and execute strategies to mitigate tariff exposure, including utilization of free trade agreements (FTAs), HTS reclassification opportunities, and first sale valuation analysis.
Lead and coordinate IEEPA and Section 301/232 tariff recovery efforts, including CBP protest filings, entry audits via ACE, and liquidation monitoring within statutory windows.
Oversee and expand Arrow’s Duty Drawback program — including manufacturing, unused merchandise, and rejected merchandise drawback claims — and build in-house expertise to scale the program as a potential value-added service for customers.
Familiarity with FTZ operations, IMMEX/maquiladora programs, and reconciliation mechanisms used to optimize duty liability in complex supply chains.
Support IMMEX program compliance and cross-border Mexico operations, including regularization of open pedimentos, SAT audit readiness, and coordination with maquiladora partners.
Collaborate with the Transportation team to align trade compliance requirements with inbound and outbound freight strategy across parcel, LTL, FTL, air freight, and ocean modes — ensuring cost, speed, and service-level considerations are reflected in trade program planning.
Manage customs broker performance governance, including joint KPI reviews, corrective action plans, and RFP processes where trade compliance requirements intersect with carrier and broker selection.
Work closely with Transportation and Supply Chain teams to ensure trade compliance requirements are embedded in inbound and outbound routing guides, vendor compliance programs, and freight payment and audit processes.
Serve as the trade compliance resource for Transportation on Incoterms application — advising on risk allocation for cross-border shipments and ensuring terms are correctly reflected in commercial documents, vendor agreements, and customer contracts.
Enable global business leadership by providing Chief-of-Staff-style support, preparing executive-ready dashboards, decision summaries, and leadership read-outs.
Support change management and adoption of new business processes, systems, or policies by coordinating communications and tracking implementation progress.
Identify program risks and gaps, develop mitigation strategies, and proactively surface issues requiring leadership attention.
Lead, manage, and develop a team of approximately 30 trade and logistics professionals, with 5 direct reports spanning compliance, customs brokerage, transportation, and regional operations.
Set clear performance expectations, conduct regular 1:1s, and deliver timely, constructive feedback to direct reports; drive individual development plans that build long-term bench strength across the trade function.
Foster a team culture grounded in accountability, continuous learning, and operational excellence, with particular emphasis on compliance discipline and cross-functional collaboration.
Partner with HR on talent acquisition, succession planning, and performance management to ensure the team is staffed and structured to meet Arrow’s evolving trade operations needs.
Qualifications
Minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 8 years with a Master's degree, including demonstrated experience managing or leading teams in a trade, compliance, or logistics function.
Demonstrated experience in global trade compliance, customs operations, or supply chain management within a complex, multinational organization.
Strong analytical capability to assess complex issues, identify patterns, and develop practical, scalable solutions using data and structured thinking.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence without direct authority in a matrixed environment.
Bachelor's degree in International Trade, Supply Chain, Business, Logistics, or a related field; advanced degree a plus.
Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) designation or active pursuit thereof.
Experience with CBP C-TPAT, AEO programs, including security profile maintenance, audit response, and Minimum Security Criteria compliance.
Familiarity with trade compliance software platforms (e.g., Thomson Reuters ONESOURCE, Descartes).
Exposure to duty drawback software and/or working relationships with licensed drawback agents or filers.
Knowledge of Mexico cross-border trade programs including IMMEX, OEA, and the SAT/ANAM regulatory environment.