Director Foreign Trade

The Director of Foreign Trade is responsible for leading the organizations global trade compliance and customs strategy ensuring adherence to import/export regulations while optimizing duty costs and enabling efficient international supply chain operations. This role provides strategic direction for trade programs free trade agreement utilization customs compliance duty optimization trade technology platforms and cross-border operational excellence.

The Director serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership supply chain procurement manufacturing logistics finance and legal teams balancing compliance obligations with business objectives and growth initiatives. The position leads a team of foreign trade professionals and manages relationships with customs authorities brokers trade consultants and external service providers.

Qualifications :

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the organizations foreign trade and customs strategy.
• Align trade compliance programs with corporate growth sourcing manufacturing and logistics objectives.
• Advise executive leadership on trade risks tariffs geopolitical developments and international regulatory changes.
• Lead trade-related initiatives supporting localization nearshoring global sourcing and supply chain transformation.

Trade Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with all import export customs sanctions and trade regulations.
• Establish and maintain policies procedures and internal controls governing international trade activities.
• Oversee import/export classification valuation country of origin determinations and customs documentation.
• Direct internal and external compliance audits and implement corrective actions when required. 

Customs & Duty Optimization

• Lead programs to minimize trade costs while maintaining full regulatory compliance.
• Maximize utilization of:
  • Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)
  • Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs)
  • Bonded Warehouses
  • Drawback Programs
  • Duty Suspension Programs
  • IMMEX/Maquiladora Programs
  • Other trade incentive programs
• Identify opportunities for duty savings and tariff mitigation strategies.

Operational Oversight

• Oversee import and export operations across multiple business units and legal entities.
• Ensure efficient management of customs brokers freight forwarders and trade service providers.
• Drive process standardization and operational excellence in cross-border transactions.
• Monitor KPIs related to compliance customs clearance performance duty savings and operational efficiency.

Risk Management

• Assess emerging trade risks resulting from regulatory changes tariff actions sanctions and supply chain disruptions.
• Develop mitigation plans to address customs exposure and compliance vulnerabilities.
• Support investigations disclosures and interactions with customs authorities when necessary.
• Ensure effective business continuity planning for global trade activities.

Technology & Digital Transformation

• Lead implementation and optimization of trade management systems and customs technologies.
• Promote automation data analytics and AI-enabled solutions to improve trade compliance effectiveness.
• Ensure integrity of trade master data supporting classification origin and compliance processes. 

Stakeholder & Team Leadership

• Build and lead a high-performing team of foreign trade professionals.
• Develop talent succession plans and training programs within the trade function.
• Partner with procurement logistics manufacturing finance legal tax and government affairs teams.
• Represent the organization in dealings with customs authorities trade associations and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelors degree in International Business Supply Chain Management Logistics Finance Law Business Administration or related field.
• 10 years of progressive experience in global trade compliance customs import/export operations or international logistics.
• 5 years of leadership experience managing trade compliance or customs organizations.
• Deep knowledge of:
  • Customs regulations
  • International trade agreements
  • Import/export controls
  • Tariff classification
  • Country-of-origin determination
  • Duty optimization programs
• Experience working with customs authorities and external trade partners.

Preferred

• Masters degree (MBA International Trade Supply Chain or related discipline).
• Licensed Customs Broker or equivalent trade certification.
• Experience in manufacturing automotive industrial or global supply chain environments.
• Expertise with trade automation platforms (SAP GTS GTXXI and similar systems). 

Critical Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Executive Presence
• Trade Compliance Expertise
• Customs & Tariff Management
• Risk Assessment & Mitigation
• Global Supply Chain Knowledge
• Financial Acumen
• Stakeholder Management
• Change Leadership
• Process Improvement
• Data Analytics & Trade Technology
• Team Development & Coaching

Success Metrics

• Zero material trade compliance violations
• Duty and tariff savings achieved
• Trade program utilization rates
• Customs audit performance
• Import/export process efficiency
• Trade cost reduction
• Customer and stakeholder satisfaction
• Team engagement and talent development
• Successful implementation of trade technology initiatives 

Additional Information :

International Bosch associates can apply. 

By choice we are committed to a diverse workforce-EOE/Protected Veteran/Disabled

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

BOSCH is a proud supporter of STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics) Initiatives:

FIRST Robotics (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)

AWIM (A World In Motion)

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time