Director of Customs & Trade Compliance

THE COMPANY
Our client is a globally recognized organization with strong roots in Southern California and a significant international presence. Their Global Transportation & Trade Compliance team focuses on optimizing logistics networks, enabling efficient global product movement, and ensuring seamless import/export execution within a highly agile supply chain.

THE POSITION
Job Summary:
Our client is seeking a Director of Customs & Trade Compliance as the go to compliance authority for the Ensenada operation, keeping the IMMEX program, customs filings, and government registrations controlled, while staying ahead of any regulatory changes that could impact the business. This role will be collaborating with Finance, teaming up with global logistics and trade compliance crews, leading the imports and exports team, and building relationships with everyone from internal leadership to customs brokers and government agencies. We’re looking for someone who’s not just great at navigating complex regulations, but who loves finding smarter ways to work and genuinely enjoys bringing people together to get things done right.
Job Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the imports and exports operations team, acting as the go to compliance resource for all cross border trade activity and keeping global logistics and trade compliance teams in the loop.
• Own the Virtual Inventory System, keeping tabs on all temporarily imported goods, materials, and components per SAT and IMMEX requirements  including running monthly audits and reports to make sure the numbers are clean and current.
• Keep pedimento filings accurate and on time working alongside their customs broker, stay on top of Mexican Official Standards (NOMs), and make sure we’re making the most of duty deferral and exemption programs available under IMMEX.
• Stay current on all registrations, certifications, and program standings with SE, SAT, and PROSEC  including IVA/IEPS Certification  making sure everything is filed on time and well documented for finance and audit teams.
• Keep a close eye on regulatory changes coming out of the Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF), figure out what they mean for our operation, and get the right people informed quickly.
• Work In partnership with Legal to manage all communications with SAT/DCFI, making sure our responses are accurate, timely, and on strategy.
• Regularly assess and document compliance risks  covering SAT audit exposure, supplier invoice validation (EFOS/EDOS), and tax invoicing controls (CFDI)  and bring findings, action plans, and risk mitigations to senior leadership in a clear, consistent way.
• Coordinate transfer pricing documentation between the Mexico entity and the US parent company, partnering with Finance and outside advisors to make sure we’re meeting Mexican tax authority requirements.
• Partner with our global logistics and trade compliance teams to stay on top of CBP requirements  including CTPAT assessments, ISF filings, ADD/CVD monitoring, and USMCA certificate of origin management  running regular internal audits to make sure we’re always in good shape.
• Work closely with the Finance controllers to support inventory and maquiladora related internal controls, jumping in with documentation, process transparency, and audit support as needed.
• Be a champion for compliance culture  building crossfunctional relationships across both US and Mexico teams and putting together training that makes IMMEX obligations, USMCA rules, CBP requirements, and inventory controls easy to understand and follow.
• Develop strong, trusted relationships with the people who matter most to this role  from internal teams like Finance, Legal, and Supply Chain, to external partners like our customs broker, CBP, SAT, and auditors  showing up with maturity, good judgment, and a collaborative mindset every time.
• Hands-on experience with SAP (ERP and Manufacturing modules) and Intrade is a big plus  these tools are core to how we manage inventory, customs workflows, and compliance reporting.
• Always be looking for ways to do things better  whether that’s streamlining daytoday transactions, getting returns and repairs running smoothly under IMMEX, or building out the right documentation process when selling finished goods into the domestic Mexico market.

THE CANDIDATE
Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in International Trade, Supply Chain, Finance, Business Administration, or something similar. An advanced degree (MBA, JD, or equivalent) is always a plus.
• Experience: At least 5 to 7 years working directly in maquiladora trade compliance, with solid hands-on experience in IMMEX program management, Mexican customs, and CBP requirements.
• Bilingual: Full professional fluency in English and Spanish is a must  you’ll need to communicate confidently in both languages with government agencies, legal teams, and business stakeholders on both sides of the border.
• Regulatory KnowHow: Strong working knowledge of IMMEX, SAT, SE, PROSEC, IVA/IEPS certification, USMCA/TMEC rules of origin, CTPAT, and CBP regulations  plus familiarity with DOF monitoring and CFDI/electronic invoicing compliance.
• Financial & Controls: Comfortable working with Finance and Internal Audit on inventory controls, SOX related documentation, and cross-border financial compliance  including transfer pricing coordination.
• Systems Proficiency: Working knowledge of SAP (ERP and Manufacturing modules) and/or Intrade is a strong plus.
• People Skills & Leadership: You know how to lead a team and build real credibility with a wide range of stakeholders  from government officials and auditors to internal leadership and cross functional partners. You bring a calm, professional presence and know how to get things done through people..