VP Trade Compliance

Primary Function of Position 

The Vice President of Trade Compliance reports to the SVP Planning and Logistics and is responsible for establishing governing and enforcing Intuitives global trade compliance framework for medical devices instruments accessories capital equipment service parts software and indirect materials.  The role ensures full legal compliance with all applicable import export customs sanctions and trade regulations while supporting uninterrupted patient care regulatory approvals and global commercial operations.  The position balances regulatory rigor with operational continuity in a highly regulated environment where delays and enforcement actions may impact healthcare delivery.

Essential Job Duties 

• Continue to build and lead a global trade compliance organization.  Establish training programs tailored to manufacturing service commercial teams distributors logistics providers and customs brokerage.  Direct responsibility for compliance with inbound materials manufacturing cross border transactions and finished goods into markets.  Ensure escalation issue management and document controls.
• Serve as primary interface with customs and export control authorities health authorities and trade regulators.  Represent the company in industry groups addressing medical device trade issues.  Manage relationships with brokers consultants outside counsel and regulatory advisors. 
• Oversee trade compliance systems integrated with ERP WMS TMS and Global Trade Management platforms.  UDI lot serial and device history record data. Ensure accuracy of HS codes ECCNs valuation and origin and the sku and serialized device level.  Drive automation to reduce clearance delays and improve audit readiness.

Qualifications :

Required Skills and Experience 

• Strategic Leadership: define and own the trade compliance strategy across R&D manufacturing service and commercial distribution.  Proactively advise executive leadership on trade risks affecting business continuity and service programs. Assess geopolitical sanctions and regulatory developments impacting medical device supply chains. 
• Regulatory and Medical Device Compliance: ensure compliance with trade regulations as they apply to finished goods capital equipment service parts digital health components clinical trial materials samples etc.  Partner with Regulatory Affairs and Quality to ensure trade compliance does not compromise regulatory approvals UDI requirements or product traceability.  Understanding FDA regulated products and global equivalents (EU MDR UKCA PMDA NMPA ANVISA etc.).
• Governance Policy and Risk Management: establish and maintain global policies covering: HS classification Valuation ECCN determinations Country-Of-Origins and substantial transformation analysis Free Trade Agreements and preferential duty programs sanctioned and denied party screenings for institutions and distributors.  Lead government audits inquiries and inspections related to customs and export controls.  Oversee voluntary disclosures and corrective actions in coordination with Legal Outside Counsel and Quality.
• Continuity of Care: embed compliance into workflows including global manufacturing field service and logistics repair networks consignment loaner and emergency replacement programs.  Ensure compliant execution of bonded movement bonded warehouses Free Trade Zones and duty deferral programs.  Enable tariff-mitigation strategies without risking regulatory violations or product holds. 
• Track Record: history of zero material trade violations on time clearance of critical device and service parts successful audits with customs effective tariff and duty optimization and institution of systems and networks.

Required Education and Training 

• Proven leadership at Vice President and Director levels of global and regional compliance teams.  Demonstrated experience supporting regulated medical device or life science supply chains.
• BS in Law International Trade Business Supply Chain / Logistics or related field
• 15 years of experience in global trade compliance customs or export controls
• Trade or Custom Certifications (LCB CCS CUSECI or equivalent)

Working Conditions 

None

Preferred Skills and Experience 

• Advanced degree
• Experience with FDA regulated products and global health authorities
• Medical device regulatory fluency and risk management.  Capital equipment software enabled devices serialization service intensive portfolios

Additional Information :

Due to the nature of our business and the role please note that Intuitive and/or your customer(s) may require that you show current proof of vaccination against certain diseases including COVID-19.  Details can vary by role.

Intuitive is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race sex pregnancy sexual orientation gender identity national origin color age religion protected veteran or disability status genetic information or any other status protected under federal state or local applicable laws.

Mandatory Notices

U.S. Export Controls Disclaimer:  In accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR 743.13(b)) some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be subject to U.S. export controls for prospective employeeswho are nationals from countries currently on embargo or sanctions status.

Certain information you provide as part of the application will be used for purposes of determining whether Intuitive Surgical will need to (i) obtain an export license from the U.S. Government on your behalf (note: the governments licensing process can take 3 to 6 months) or (ii) implement a Technology Control Plan (TCP) (note: typically adds 2 weeks to the hiring process).  

For any Intuitive role subject to export controls final offers are contingent upon obtaining an approved export license and/or an executed TCP prior to the prospective employeesstart date which may or may not be flexible and within a timeframe that does not unreasonably impede the hiring need. If applicable candidates will be notified and instructed on any requirements for these purposes. 

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

Preference will be given to qualified candidates who do not reside or plan to reside in Alabama Arkansas Delaware Florida Indiana Iowa Louisiana Maryland Mississippi Missouri Oklahoma Pennsylvania South Carolina or Tennessee.

This position may be filled at a different job level than listed here depending on
business need and/or on the selected candidates experience knowledge and skills.
Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and the
candidates qualifications consistent with applicable law.

We provide market-competitive compensation packages inclusive of base pay incentives benefits and equity. It would not be typical for someone to be hired at the top end of range for the role as actual pay will be determined based on several factors including experience skills and qualifications. The target compensation ranges are listed.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time