International Trade Compliance Manager

World leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 80 countries with approximately 66,000 employees and serves more than 3,6 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen have been at the core of the company’s activities since its creation in 1902. Air Liquide’s ambition is to be the leader in its industry, delivering long-term performance and acting responsibly.

The Manager of Trade Compliance will be responsible for leading the strategic direction and management of Air Liquide’s trade organization by creating, implementing, and driving an innovative and responsive global trade compliance program, in line with the Group requirements in Trade Compliance matters. By enabling trade compliance excellence across the organization, the role will ensure robust compliance within those countries where Air Liquide conducts business. This role will also deploy, monitor and improve the effectiveness of current compliance controls and processes, ensuring there is sufficient focus and resources dedicated to trade compliance across the organization, as well as making recommendations to senior leaders to address any gaps.

• Further develop, implement and manage the company’s International Trade Compliance program, including policies and procedures applicable to all business units and foreign affiliates, and provide training to associates involved in import/export transactions.
• Provide strategic guidance and training to a group of 26 ITCR’s that support the company’s different business units and foreign affiliates on trade compliance matters.
• Responsible for developing trade compliance training modules, assigning training as needed, and implementing a trade compliance training tracker.
• Oversee the classification of company products to ensure all goods are properly classified for imports and exports.
• Conduct risk-assessments of all the business units to identify trade compliance gaps and issue recommendations to each business unit President.
• Identify technology trade tools to enhance the Air Liquide ITC program and improve current manual processes.
• Lead meetings with management to justify the investment of funds for trade compliance projects, such as Dynamic Restricted Party Screening, Product Classifications, and Export Licensing Determinations.
• Issue and manage Customs Powers of Attorney and Broker/Freight Forwarder Standard Operating Procedures.
• Manage the relationship with Air Liquide’s’ customs brokers and forwarding agents to ensure they are processing accurate filings on the company’s behalf and that invoices are paid on a timely basis.
• Partner with different company departments that interact with trade compliance issues, such as: Procurement, Treasury, Risk Management, Legal, Human Resources, and Corporate Communications.
• Responsible for enhancing the company’s trade compliance internal webpage to provide resources and updates to personnel involved in import/export transactions.
• Manage Air Liquide’s Trade Compliance electronic recordkeeping platform to ensure all compliance records are stored and readily accessible for internal assessments or audits.
• Provide monthly reports to the Group International Trade Compliance Officer (GITCO) on the status of projects that will continue to enhance the company’s International Trade Compliance program.
• Issue quarterly import and export data reports and share with senior business unit management.
• Lead any voluntary self disclosures to government agencies on trade related matters, in coordination with GITCO, Air Liquide Legal and external trade compliance counsel.
• Acts as the primary contact with US Customs and Border Protection, US Census Department, Bureau of Industry and Security, USITC, and other government agencies both US and foreign on all significant international trade related matters.
• Responsible for leading and organizing bi-annual ITC in-person conferences.
• Develop, implement and manage any other trade compliance strategic initiatives.

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Are you a MATCH?

• 10+ years of experience in import and export compliance activities working for multinational company;
• Import or Export Certification or equivalent experience;
• Hands-on engagement/experience with the USDA, BIS, U.S. Customs, OFAC and corresponding EU regulatory agencies;
• Proven experience in identifying, re-engineering and implementing Global Trade Compliance processes and procedures;
• Demonstrated understanding of OFAC and BIS requirements for restricted parties and countries, export licensing (including technology review and deemed export licensing), and reporting and documentation;
• In-depth expertise with the Harmonized Code System and Explanatory Notes & US Customs classification; demonstrated experience in maintaining a database of import and export data in full compliance with reporting requirements of US Customs;
• Experience building departmental and/or cross-functional Trade Controls governance infrastructure;
• Experience managing multiple projects/processes;
• Strong written and verbal communications skills;
• Excellent leadership and management skills managing employees (either direct or indirect).

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, law or international trade, advanced degree preferred.
• Trade related certifications: CUSECO, CES, CIS, and/or LCB (preferred).

Required Length & Type of Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in roles of increasing responsibility in trade compliance function (import and/or export compliance), preferably with an international company with multiple US and international locations.
• Prior demonstrated experience in the development, implementation and maintenance of a compliance program, including training, policies, and guidelines.
• Demonstrated knowledge of:
• Incoterms
• Export Administration Regulations
• ITAR Regulations
• Customs Regulations
• Product Classification (HTS and ECCN)
• Free Trade Agreements
• Country of Origin Determination
• Knowledge of import and export regulations in countries other than the USA
• Anti-corruption
• Experience with SAP is highly desired.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of import and export regulations
• Communicates well verbally and in writing at all levels, adapting the message to ensure clarity and understanding
• Excellent problem solving skills
• Technical competence
• Team facilitation skills: Favor Proposition of New Ideas – Keep Focus
• Good computer skills, with working knowledge of Google applications
• Strong experience with excel and Google Sheets (preferred)
• Customer-oriented approach.
• Candidates must have valid employment authorization in the U.S. and must not require visa sponsorship now or in the future. This position is not open for non-immigrant visa sponsorship.

Our Differences make our Performance

At Air Liquide, we are committed to build a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders and cultures across the world.

We welcome and consider applications from all qualified applicants, regardless of their background. We strongly believe a diverse organization opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively and it helps foster our ability to innovate by living our fundamentals, acting for our success and creating an engaging environment in a changing world.