Senior Manager, Canada Customs & Trade Compliance
Job Summary
Compensation will be determined based on experience qualifications and overall fit.
We are a boutique freight forwarding and customs brokerage company serving clients across Canada the United States Mexico and international markets.
The company combines transportation freight forwarding and customs brokerage services with a highly hands-on approach to client relationships and operational execution.
This is an opportunity to join a close-knit organization where experienced professionals have significant ownership over their work and contribute directly to the continued success of the business.
The Senior Canada Customs Specialist will play a key role in managing Canadian import customs compliance across the organization.
This is a senior hands-on customs position responsible for day-to-day customs entries compliance documentation regulatory requirements audits and process improvement.
The ideal candidate brings 8 years of professional customs experience significant Canadian import expertise excellent attention to detail and the ability to work confidently with internal teams carriers suppliers customs stakeholders and government authorities.
A customs broker license is preferred while professional customs/trade certification and experience with relevant customs systems are strong advantages.
Canadian Customs Operations
- Manage and oversee day-to-day Canadian import customs compliance activities.
- Key and process customs entries accurately and efficiently.
- Ensure imported goods are properly classified valued and documented.
- Review customs entries and supporting documentation for accuracy and compliance.
- Manage customs entry processes and work closely with customs brokers and relevant stakeholders.
- Maintain accurate customs records and documentation in accordance with regulatory and company requirements.
- Identify and resolve discrepancies or issues affecting customs clearance.
Compliance & Regulatory Oversight
- Monitor changes to Canadian customs regulations and assess their impact on the business.
- Ensure compliance with Canadian import requirements and applicable customs regulations.
- Support customs audits reviews and requests for information from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
- Identify customs compliance risks and recommend corrective actions.
- Support internal and external customs audits and ensure findings are addressed appropriately.
- Help maintain effective customs compliance procedures controls and documentation.
Classification Valuation & Trade Compliance
- Apply strong knowledge of tariff classification customs valuation and country-of-origin requirements.
- Review documentation to identify potential compliance concerns.
- Monitor customs-related costs duties and other import charges.
- Identify opportunities to improve compliance accuracy efficiency and cost effectiveness.
- Ensure customs documentation and entries accurately reflect applicable requirements.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Procurement Logistics Finance Operations and other internal teams to resolve customs-related issues.
- Provide guidance and training to internal stakeholders on Canadian import requirements and customs procedures.
- Serve as a trusted internal resource for complex Canadian customs matters.
- Communicate effectively with customs brokers carriers suppliers clients and government authorities as required.
- Contribute to the development and improvement of customs processes and workflows.
- 8 years of professional customs experience with significant experience in Canadian imports.
- Strong knowledge of Canadian customs regulations and import compliance requirements.
- Hands-on experience with customs entries and customs entry processes.
- Strong understanding of:
- Tariff classification
- Customs valuation
- Country-of-origin requirements
- Canadian import regulations
- Customs documentation
- Customs compliance procedures
- Experience supporting customs audits reviews and regulatory requests.
- Experience working with customs brokers and other logistics stakeholders.
- Strong Microsoft Office skills particularly Excel.
- Experience with Descartes is a bonus.
- CCS certification is highly valued.
- Canadian Customs Broker licensing is preferred.
- Highly analytical and detail-oriented.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication.
- Strong problem-solving and judgment.
- Able to work independently on complex customs matters.
- Comfortable managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Strong attention to accuracy and regulatory detail.
- Able to explain complex customs requirements clearly to colleagues and stakeholders.
- Professional collaborative and dependable.
The ideal candidate is a seasoned Canadian customs professional who can independently manage complex import requirements and serve as a trusted source of customs expertise within the organization.
They should have substantial hands-on experience with Canadian customs entries import compliance classification valuation origin and CBSA requirements.
A Canadian Customs Broker license is preferred but not mandatory. Candidates with CCS certification and/or Descartes experience will be particularly attractive.
The right person will combine deep technical knowledge with sound judgment strong communication and the ability to work collaboratively across a boutique logistics environment.
This is a critical role within the Customs Department. The successful candidate will provide experienced oversight of Canadian import customs activities help maintain strong regulatory compliance and bring the subject-matter expertise needed to support the business and its clients as it continues to grow.