USMCA Customs Compliance Director

Position Summary

The Director of USMCA Customs Compliance will lead the strategy, governance, execution, and continuous improvement of USMCA trade compliance programs across the organization. This role will be responsible for overseeing and managing the Regional Value Content (RVC) and Tariff Shift qualification programs to ensure compliance with USMCA regulations while maximizing duty savings opportunities and minimizing compliance risks.

The Director will work cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Procurement, Manufacturing, Engineering, Finance, IT, Legal, Tax, Customs Brokers, and external advisors to establish sustainable compliance processes, controls, and reporting mechanisms. This position will play a key leadership role in developing governance frameworks, audit readiness, and compliance strategies across multiple regions and business units.

Key Responsibilities

USMCA Program Leadership

• Lead and manage the end-to-end USMCA compliance strategy and operational execution.
• Own governance and oversight of Regional Value Content (RVC) and Tariff Shift qualification methodologies.
• Ensure products meet USMCA eligibility requirements through proper qualification analysis and supporting documentation.
• Drive standardization and implementation of USMCA policies, procedures, and operating models.
• Establish and maintain compliance controls, monitoring mechanisms, and escalation processes.

RVC and Tariff Shift Management

• Lead qualification reviews utilizing RVC methodologies including Net Cost.
• Direct Mexican customs governance to ensure alignment with SAT Plan Maestro mandates.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives with Procurement, Engineering, and Finance to systematically validate the RVC Engines, RVC Reconciliation, and Bills of Materials (BOMs) against actual manufacturing data.
• Standardize operational compliance workflows across corporate hubs, primarily focused on the IMMEX operations in Tijuana and Chihuahua IMMEX programs.
• Oversee Tariff Shift analysis and Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification reviews.
• Maintain the qualification frameworks for product origin determination.
• Manage supplier solicitation processes and collection of certificates and supporting origin documentation.
• Integration of new product setups into the systems and validation of USMCA eligibility.
• Validate the RVC Engine and Bills of Materials (BOMs), sourcing data, manufacturing information, and cost structures.
• Partner with Finance and Procurement teams to ensure accuracy of cost and sourcing inputs.
• Spearhead defense preparation for SAT post-clearance origin verifications and lead SAT and CBP audits, maintaining a zero-penalty record and safeguarding duty exemptions.
• Lead compliance training programs, ensure for internal stakeholders and external Mexican Agentes Aduanales manage shared regulatory responsibility.
• Drive other duties, as assigned.

Compliance Governance and Risk Management

• Lead the monitoring of regulatory changes under the FTA's, designing and driving implementation of system and/or process changes required to maintain compliance.
• Develop and maintain internal compliance controls and audit programs.
• Lead preparation of SAT and CBP audits and regulatory reviews.
• Identify compliance gaps and implement corrective action plans.
• Create and maintain compliance dashboards, KPIs, and executive reporting.
• Ensure documentation retention and audit readiness requirements are met.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Serve as the primary subject matter expert for USMCA compliance matters.
• Lead USMCA team members in delivering excellence by maintaining the program's governance.
• Lead IT system architecture and design, implement automated tools and digital solutions supporting qualification processes.
• Ensure alignment and implementation of collaboration with external consultants and customs service providers.
• Train and educate internal stakeholders on USMCA requirements and responsibilities.
• Lead governance committees and executive steering meetings.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to automate internal control audit processes through technology, to include AI solutions.
• Improve data quality, reporting capabilities, and process efficiencies.
• Benchmark best practices and implement enhancements across compliance programs.
• Lead strategic initiatives to optimize duty savings and reduce operational risk.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in international business, Supply Chain, Finance, Business Administration, Customs Compliance, or related field, required.
• 10+ years of experience in Customs Compliance, International Trade, Global Trade Management, or USMCA program leadership.
• Strong knowledge of USMCA Rules of Origin, RVC calculations, Tariff Shift requirements, and HTS classifications.
• Experience managing customs audits, prior disclosures, and trade compliance programs.
• Demonstrated experience building governance structures and compliance controls.
• Strong understanding of customs regulations and import/export compliance requirements.
• Experience working with Oracle and SAP systems and trade management platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Licensed Customs Broker preferred but not required.
• Mexican Foreign Trade / Customs Specialist Certification.
• Experience with SAP, Oracle GTM platforms, and AI-enabled compliance tools.
• Experience managing multinational or regional trade compliance programs.
• Master's degree or relevant trade certifications preferred.

Key Competencies

• Strategic leadership
• Executive communication skills
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Risk management
• Project and program management
• Analytical and financial acumen
• Process improvement mindset
• Change management
• Strong decision-making capabilities

Success Metrics

• USMCA qualification accuracy rate
• Duty savings generated
• Audit findings and remediation closure
• RVC and Tariff Shift program compliance
• Supplier documentation completion rates
• Process automation and efficiency improvements
• Compliance KPI performance

Pay & Benefits

Employee pay is determined by multiple factors, including geography, experience, qualifications, skills and local minimum wage requirements. In addition, you may also be offered a competitive bonus and/or commission plan, which complements a first-class total rewards package. Benefits may include health care, retirement savings, paid time off/vacation, and various employee discounts.