Full Job Description
Job Summary
The Trade Compliance Program Manager is a senior professional role responsible for designing, executing, and continuously improving trade compliance programs to ensure adherence to global import/export regulations and corporate policies. This role applies deep regulatory knowledge and program-management expertise to mitigate risk, support business operations, and enable compliant global trade activities.
Job Description
Role Overview
The Trade Compliance Program Manager owns key elements of the organization's trade compliance framework, including governance, policies, procedures, controls, and training. The role partners closely with Supply Chain, Logistics, Legal, Engineering, Procurement, and Operations to embed compliance within business processes. While remaining an individual contributor, the role provides informal leadership, guidance, and oversight for analysts or junior compliance staff.
This position does not have formal people-management responsibility and typically reports to a Global Trade Compliance Director, Compliance Leader, or Legal / Risk executive (P4 / M1).
Key Responsibilities
Trade Compliance Program Ownership
Design, implement, and maintain trade compliance programs covering import, export, and sanctions requirements
Establish policies, procedures, and controls aligned with applicable regulations and internal standards
Ensure consistent execution of trade compliance requirements across business units and regions
Regulatory Interpretation & Advisory
Interpret global trade regulations (e.g., import/export controls, customs, sanctions) and translate them into operational guidance
Serve as a subject-matter expert for trade compliance inquiries and escalations
Advise stakeholders on compliance considerations for transactions, shipments, and business decisions
Risk Management & Controls
Identify, assess, and mitigate trade compliance risks
Develop and test internal controls to prevent violations
Lead or support investigations of potential compliance issues and corrective actions
Audits, Assessments & Remediation
Lead internal trade compliance audits and self-assessments
Support external audits, regulatory inquiries, or government inspections
Track findings, oversee remediation plans, and verify effectiveness
Training, Awareness & Culture
Develop and deliver trade compliance training and awareness programs
Ensure relevant employees understand roles, responsibilities, and regulatory requirements
Promote a culture of compliance and ethical trade practices
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering, Sales, Procurement, Finance, and Legal teams
Support compliant execution of global trade activities while enabling business objectives
Influence process design to embed compliance early and effectively
Data, Reporting & Documentation
Maintain accurate compliance records, licenses, and documentation
Monitor KPIs and compliance metrics; report trends and risks to leadership
Support data governance and record-retention requirements
Continuous Improvement & Program Enhancement
Identify opportunities to streamline compliant trade processes
Benchmark practices and recommend enhancements to tools, systems, or controls
Support automation or digitization of compliance processes where appropriate
Informal Leadership & Mentorship
Provide technical guidance and review support to trade compliance analysts or coordinators
Share best practices, lessons learned, and regulatory updates
Support capability building within the compliance function
Qualifications
Education & Experience
Bachelor's degree in International Business, Supply Chain, Law, Compliance, or related field required (or equivalent experience)
Professional certifications (e.g., customs or trade compliance credentials) preferred
Typically 5-8 years of progressive experience in trade compliance, import/export compliance, customs, or regulatory roles
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Advanced knowledge of global trade compliance regulations and frameworks
Strong program-management, analytical, and risk-assessment skills
Ability to independently manage complex compliance initiatives
Strong documentation, audit, and control design capability
Effective communication and stakeholder-management skills
Ability to influence without formal authority
High attention to detail, integrity, and sound judgment
Additional Job Details
Professional - P3
Organizational Impact
• Works to achieve operational, functional, and/or business targets within team with direct impact on departmental or job family results
• Established professional; works under limited supervision
• Works independently on moderately complex projects/assignments and contributes to setting objectives or goals of projects and assignments within team
Communication & Influence
• Communicates with employees both within and occasionally outside of the department and/or job family on matters that require explanation, interpretation and/or advising; may communicate with external clients or partners depending upon the job area
• Influences employees within the department at an operational level regarding concepts or practices and some advisement on approaches
Innovation & Complexity
• Responsible for making moderate improvements of processes, procedures, or systems to contribute to the performance of the team
• Problems faced are difficult and mildly complex and typically impact the job family and/or multiple teams
Leadership & Talent Management
• Provides assistance and training to other employees
• May lead significant parts of moderately complex projects or processes
Knowledge & Experience
• Requires advanced job knowledge and demonstrated competence within department, typically obtained through advanced education and relevant experience
• Requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience and minimum 5 years of prior relevant experience
Work Shift Schedule
No Soliciting
Nidec will not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third party recruiting agencies in response to Nidec job postings. No fee will be paid to third parties who submit unsolicited candidates directly to our hiring managers. Pre-approval from the Nidec Talent Acquisition team is required before any external candidate can be submitted and such candidate must be submitted to the Nidec Talent Acquisition team.
