Director, Trade Compliance (International) at Scope Recruiting – Fremont, California

Director, Trade Compliance (International)

Position SummaryLead our clients trade compliance function across critical marketsunlocking market access, strengthening customer trust, and driving cost leadership to accelerate utility-scale solar growth. Set the vision and operating model for an import-centric program in the United States, Canada, and Australia, with oversight across APAC and Oceania. Combine executive leadership with hands-on expertise: direct day-to-day customs execution; advance duty-optimization initiatives (e.g., First Sale for Export and Section 232); steward one global center of excellence (e.g. classification, valuation, or duty optimization); and enable cross-functional decisions that keep product moving compliantly and competitively.
Core ResponsibilitiesStrategy & Governance Define the multi-year trade-compliance strategy; establish policies, SOPs and internal controls that translate regulations into scalable, auditable processes across regions.U.S. Import & IOR Leadership (U.S./CA/AU) Own importer-of-record programs and oversee day-to-day customs execution (entries, ISF, reconciliation, records), engaging directly with customs authorities to ensure timely, accurate clearances.Global Discipline Centre of Excellence Lead one enterprise trade specialty (classification, origin, valuation, or duty-optimization); maintain rulings and master data; issue authoritative guidance and coach regional teams on complex determinations.Duty Optimization & Special Programs Drive compliant savings through tariff engineering, preferential trade (e.g., USMCA/FTAs), Chapter 98, drawback, First Sale for Export, and Section 232 (steel) compliance; prepare recommendation memos and secure cross-functional adoption.Regulatory & Legal Engagement Monitor and interpret trade laws, sanctions and trade-remedy actions; brief executives on impacts and options; coordinate company responses to regulatory inquiries and assessments in partnership with Legal.Customs Broker & External Advisor Management Select, contract and performance-manage customs brokers; direct outside counsel and consultants for rulings, interpretations and specialized matters.Trade Data, Systems & Analytics Govern accuracy of HTS/ECCN/COO and related attributes in ERP/GTM; deploy dashboards and controls that surface anomalies, support landed-cost decisions and provide executive-level reporting.Supply-Chain Security & CTPAT Implementation Lead the roadmap to achieve and sustain CTPAT Importer certification, coordinating physical, procedural and IT-security criteria with internal teams and business partners.Export Control & Sanctions Oversight (limited outbound) Maintain a proportionate export-control framework (ECCN determinations, screening, licensing where required, and records) to support occasional exports.Executive Stakeholder Management & Business Enablement Influence sourcing, engineering, logistics and commercial decisions; integrate compliance requirements into new products, sourcing shifts, systems projects and M&A due diligence to accelerate compliant market access.
Qualifications & SkillsEducation: Bachelors in International Trade, Supply Chain, Business or related fieldExperience: 10+ years progressive trade-compliance experience with substantial, hands-on U.S. customs ownership and leadership of cross-regional programs.Credentials: U.S. Licensed Customs Broker strongly preferred; CCS/CES or similar certifications a plus.Regulatory Expertise: Deep knowledge of 19 CFR, HTSUS, ACE, USMCA, AD/CVD, Section 232, First Sale for Export, and U.S. export-control/sanctions frameworks.Systems & Analytics: Proficiency with ERP (especially Oracle), GTM solutions and ACE/CARM portals; strong data-analysis skills and comfort with dashboards.Leadership & Influence: Proven ability to advise executives, set enterprise standards and lead change across functions and regions.Supply-Chain Insight: Solid understanding of end-to-end logistics and Incoterms to partner effectively with operations.Travel: Up to 15 percent (domestic and occasional international)

$180,000 - $220,000 a year