The Customs and Trade Compliance Sr. Manager leads corporate compliance strategy and develops, implements, and maintains policies, procedures, systems and training. The position provides compliance and execution support across the company to ensure Sony Electronics Inc., its affiliates and subsidiaries adhere to all applicable laws, regulations, and guidance regarding global import/export activity. Interacts with Legal, Logistics, Tax, Engineering, Operations, Procurement, Supply Chain, and other internal businesses and external stakeholders to drive Import/Export compliance. Conducts internal audits of import declarations, ensures all required corrective actions are taken and filed with US and Canadian Customs. Supports communication with government agencies as necessary and produces all required import related information and documentation in response to external audits. The position is also responsible for conducting extensive financial analysis annually to prepare import valuation reconciliations against all costs declared on entry against the actual financial records of the company and to lead the Duty Drawback Program. The position will also advise on tariff classification, origin, PGAs, and other programs such as Bonded Warehouses and Foreign Trade Zones.
Responsibilities
- Lead the North American customs and trade compliance strategy, including the development, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of policies, procedures, systems, and training.
- Provide compliance guidance and operational support to ensure the company, its affiliates, and subsidiaries comply with applicable U.S., Canadian, and other global import and export laws, regulations, and agency guidance.
- Partner with Legal, Logistics, Tax, Engineering, Operations, Procurement, Supply Chain, and other internal teams and external stakeholders to drive consistent import and export compliance.
- Conduct internal audits of import declarations, identify compliance gaps, and ensure corrective actions are completed and filed with U.S. and Canadian customs authorities.
- Manage communications with government agencies and prepare required information and documentation in response to external audits and regulatory inquiries.
- Perform annual financial analyses and prepare import valuation reconciliations comparing declared entry costs with the company’s actual financial records.
- Lead the Duty Drawback Program and identify opportunities to reduce, recover, or avoid customs duties while maintaining compliance.
- Provide subject-matter expertise on tariff classification, customs valuation, country of origin, partner government agency requirements, and special trade programs.
- Advise on and support programs such as bonded warehouses, foreign-trade zones, customs reconciliation, protests, and petitions.
- Monitor regulatory developments and translate changes into practical business requirements, controls, training, and process improvements.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in international trade, supply chain, accounting, finance, business, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
- 10 or more years of progressively responsible experience in customs, international trade, or import/export compliance.
- Extensive knowledge of U.S. customs laws and regulations, including tariff classification, customs valuation, country of origin, entry requirements, and special trade programs.
- Demonstrated experience developing and implementing customs compliance strategies, policies, controls, and training.
- Experience conducting compliance reviews or audits, managing corrective actions, and responding to government inquiries or external audits.
- Strong knowledge of duty reduction and recovery programs, including drawback, foreign-trade zones, customs reconciliation, protests, and petitions.
- Experience analyzing complex financial and customs data, performing cost analyses, and reconciling import activity to accounting records.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and experience working with large, complex data sets.
- Experience with enterprise business systems and global trade management software.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical requirements and influence cross-functional stakeholders.
Preferred Skills
- Licensed Customs Broker, Juris Doctor, MBA, or advanced degree in tax, finance, supply chain, or a related discipline.
- Experience leading customs and trade compliance programs for a complex, multinational organization.
- Working knowledge of Canadian customs requirements and experience interacting with both U.S. and Canadian customs authorities.
- Experience with partner government agency requirements and regulated product imports.
- Experience designing or improving global trade compliance processes, systems, controls, and reporting.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Access or other database and analytics tools.
- Demonstrated people leadership, project management, and change management experience.
The anticipated base pay range for this position is $146,939 to $195,919. The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include as applicable, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.
In addition to a competitive base salary, this position is also eligible for an annual corporate bonus plan, which is based on company performance and is not guaranteed, and a comprehensive benefits package including healthcare benefits (medical, dental, and vision), paid medical leave, a 401k plan with matching company contributions, vacation time, education assistance, student loan assistance program, eighty hours of paid sick leave time annually, and up to twelve weeks paid parental leave.
Honesty, integrity, and ethical conduct are material requirements for the responsibilities outlined above.
