Responsibilities

We are seeking an experienced DVP of Imports and Customs to lead the Company’s import logistics, customs compliance, and trade-related operations. This role is responsible for ensuring the seamless and timely movement of merchandise from global origins to U.S. distribution centers and store networks, while also providing executive-level oversight of customs strategy, compliance, risk management, and process improvement. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in retail import logistics, strong customs and trade compliance knowledge, executive presence, and the ability to use data, dashboards, and reporting tools to create visibility, anticipate risk, and support informed business decisions.

Responsibilities:

• Provide executive leadership for end-to-end import transportation, customs, and trade compliance operations, with a strong focus on meeting retail merchandising timelines and inventory delivery goals.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams including Buying, Planning, DC Operations, and Store Operations to ensure alignment of shipment flow with business priorities.

• Oversee drayage and inland delivery operations from multiple U.S. ports to distribution centers and 3PL locations.

• Oversee customs clearance, broker performance, documentation accuracy, HTS classification, duty management, and timely release of shipments.

• Proactively track inbound containers, resolve disruptions, and communicate shipment status across the organization.

• Drive cost control initiatives by managing container free time, minimizing demurrage/detention charges, and leveraging carrier relationships.

• Lead the development of KPIs, dashboards, and reporting tools that provide clear visibility into import performance, shipment status, service levels, cost drivers, and emerging risks.

• Analyze import data trends to forecast volume, anticipate challenges, and develop forward-looking plans that support peak business periods and evolving supply chain needs.

• Ensure adherence to all U.S. customs regulations, trade compliance requirements, retail-specific labeling, packaging, and documentation standards.

• Set the overall customs strategy for the organization, partnering with internal and external stakeholders to manage compliance, reduce risk, and identify opportunities related to duty savings, tariff mitigation, and process efficiency.

• Lead, develop, and evaluate teams responsible for import operations and customs compliance, ensuring the right structure, capabilities, and accountability are in place to support current and future business needs.

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to streamline processes, enhance system visibility, and improve delivery timelines to stores and distribution centers.

• Use data, systems, and cross-functional feedback to identify future risks, capacity needs, and opportunities to improve import execution before issues impact the business.

• Support special projects and business-critical initiatives as assigned by senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 years of import logistics, customs, and trade compliance experience, with at least 7 years in a senior leadership role within a retail or consumer goods environment.

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, International Business, or related field preferred.

• Deep working knowledge of U.S. customs regulations, HTS classifications, duty management, broker management, import documentation, and trade compliance procedures.

• Experience leading customs compliance programs, managing internal controls, and partnering with brokers, freight forwarders, legal, finance, and supply chain leadership on trade-related matters.

• Proven ability to manage high-volume import flows aligned with retail calendars, product launches, and changing business priorities.

• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills with a proactive, solution-oriented approach.

• Strong data and analytical skills, including experience building dashboards, reporting tools, and operational scorecards that improve visibility, accountability, and decision-making.

• Demonstrates strong executive presence, with the ability to communicate clearly with senior leadership, synthesize complex information, and provide confident updates, recommendations, and risk assessments.

• Creates end-to-end visibility across the import lifecycle, ensuring stakeholders have clear insight into shipment status, milestones, bottlenecks, and potential risks.

• Proactively identifies process improvement opportunities and implements scalable solutions that enhance efficiency, visibility, and service levels.

• Leads through influence, building alignment among stakeholders while managing competing priorities and driving results in a fast-paced environment.

The pay range reflects the potential base salary range for this role. Individual base pay is determined by various factors such as relevant experience and skills, and the scopeand responsibilities of the position.

Pay Range$200,000 - $260,000