EMEA Trade Compliance Leader

Role Summary/Purpose

The Regional Trade Compliance Leader will oversee the application of the Global and Regional Trade strategies, which include Customs Import and Export issues, for Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions (VWTS) in line with the company’s policies and guidelines. This position will support the global and manage the regional compliance activities, provide strategic subject matter expertise, and support the operations and process improvement initiatives. The
position will mostly support the EMEA region in cooperation with the local supply chain and regulatory teams and will be hired through agency.

Essential Responsibilities
 Assist with development, implementation, and management of Global Customs Operational Framework, Audits, Training and SOPs.
 Assist in the selection and management of business service providers (i.e. Customs Brokers, Freight Forwarders, and Trade Consultants) for Global and Regional processes.
 Maintain business strategy for brokerage (import & export) processes & valuation.
 Lead VWTS Special Programs needed to ensure comprehensive Free Trade Agreements utilization, Duty Avoidance and Duty Drawback, support Country of Origin evaluation and VAT-related processes.
 Support the HS classification strategy, maintain and improve existing classification-related processes.
 Ensure that all import and export operations are carried out in full compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
 Provide trade compliance guidelines and trainings to internal stakeholders maintaining business strategies, protocol and responding to changes in regulations.
 Provide strategic leadership in the development and implementation of customs policies and procedures including government agency programs as required (AEO, inward processing, etc.).
 Manage and sustain a network with Commercial and Supply Chain Operations, Finance and Legal.
 Utilize available metrics to drive continuous improvements.
 Ensure that customs declarations, clearances, and related processes for excise products are executed accurately and efficiently. Address customs-related issues and discrepancies related to excise products promptly. Ensure that customs declarations, clearances, and related processes for excise products are executed accurately and efficiently.
 Spearhead the EMEA Trade Compliance initiatives, serve as a subject matter expert, and assist in trade compliance assessments and reviews.
 Align business resources and functional team members to implement business-level controls, coordinate training needs, as well as monitor and ensure adherence to policies, procedures related to compliant import and export transactions.

 Build and maintain strong collaborations and relationships with internal operation teams to manage classification inflows and disputes with local customs.
 Assists with building programs to identify compliance gaps and to develop corrective actions to help ensure compliance with customs and other government agency regulations.
 Research trade-related regulatory issues and clarify interpretations.

 Monitor, review, and communicate trade compliance regulatory changes to the EMEA team. Provide feedback to various stakeholders on how new regulations might affect the business.
 Establish and deliver training materials and programs on customs and trade compliance topics to the VWTS business units to ensure that compliance standards and performance targets are met.
 Lead various audits (self-audit & customs audit) and develop resolution & action items on any findings.

Qualifications / Requirements
 Education: Relevant Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience

> 7 years of work experience in International Trade or global Import/Export operations for a multinational company and/or experience in the brokerage/freight forwarding area
 Language skills: English, in addition to native language
 Education: Relevant Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience
 Customs and trade compliance regulatory knowledge in multiple EMEA countries
 Solid project management and analytical skills
 Ability to adapt level of details required for a given audience
 Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively and to work well with people of all levels
 Team player who enjoys working with a diverse global team
 Demonstrated Compliance mindset and problem-solving abilities.

Desired Characteristics
 Extensive knowledge of standardized, global trade practices, customs regulations, HS coding, Free Trade Agreements and other duty avoidance programs, excise taxes, and other customs requirements
 Strong knowledge of international logistics and shipping requirements
 Proven track record of program management in developing, implementing, and leading process solutions working with cross functional teams
 Demonstrated ability to use knowledge, experience, and instinct to make accurate and timely decisions
 Demonstrated ability to quickly implement simple and non-bureaucratic process improvements
 Holding certifications of specific courses on Customs Brokerage and International Trade
 Lean / Six Sigma Certification
 Excellent verbal and written communication skills
 Knowledge of SAP (or similar ERP system), Microsoft Office Apps, and Google Suite.