Global Customs and Trade Manager 

Springs:

Springs Window Fashions is a leader in the custom window treatment industry since 1939. Headquartered in Middleton WI, we have 6,000 associates with locations in North America, Europe, and Asia.  Our custom window treatments are available under the Bali, Graber, SunSetter and Mecho brands in nearly every major retailer, in thousands of designer showrooms, and showcased in large commercial buildings.

Our company has made significant investments to become a leader in product innovation.  As North America’s premier window covering company, we’re committed to creating a “Best Experience” for our consumers, channel partners and associates.  We are bringing new innovations to the market at an accelerated pace and have a variety of offerings to consumers who want to improve their home décor.

Purpose:

Responsible for planning, developing, implementing and monitoring standard practices, methods and procedures for all inbound or outbound international shipments in compliance with U.S. and Canada Customs Laws and Codes in effect for Springs Window Fashions and its subsidiaries.

Responsible for supervising and managing the activities of third-party service providers such as customs brokers and trade services providers ensuring that all activities are coordinated in support of the physical movement of goods across borders at the lowest legal duty and taxation.

Responsible for ensuring compliant & standardized processes are in place to support border crossing transactions related but not limited to the following:

• Coordination of HTS determination with third party supplier.
• Country of origin determination and solicitation with outside vendors.
• Imported Goods valuation, reporting and cost submission/reconciliations.
• Reconciliation and proper payment assurance of import duties, tariffs, taxes and fees
• Recordkeeping according to current rules and regulations
• C-TPAT & security initiatives related to customs and shipping
• Duty Preferential programs proper application and administration such as USGR, USMCA, KORUS, etc.
• Management of anti-dumping and countervailing duty entries and matters and any other special applicable duty to trade
• Management of Customs Broker business rules
• Management of permits, licensing and admissibility controls
• Entry transactions validation, reconciliation and verification
• Tariff and Duty strategies for financial impact mitigation.
• Overall Duty and Tariff analysis and reporting.
• Pre and Post Entry filing monitoring and reporting

Responsible for representing SWF before U.S. and Canadian customs authorities as well as other government agencies involved in U.S. and Canada border crossings.

Responsible for over-site of the third-party service providers hired to transact business on SWF’s behalf and invoice payments.

Responsible for representing SWF before U.S. and Canadian customs authorities as well as other government agencies involved in U.S. and Canada border crossings.

Responsible for over-site of the third-party service providers hired to transact business on SWF’s behalf and invoice payments.

Major Areas of Responsibility/Tasks/Duties

• Monitor compliance of entry data/transactions
• Monitor and analyze deliverables from third-party trade services provider and provide feedback 
• Monitor and analyze metric data for U.S. and Canadian imports and exports
• Manage standardized and ad hoc reporting related to U.S. and Canadian imports and exports
• Track, monitor and publish changes/amendments to custom broker business rules, import/export procedures and manuals & trade services handbooks
• Continuous monitor of origin and classification to ensure minimal duty impact.
• Manage daily and monthly ACH draws to identify final duty amounts.
• Conduct regular meetings and track and resolve issues related to management of third parties service providers
• Maintain an updated origin database within GTM and ERP Systems.
• Facilitate and complete annual FTA and Value reconciliation process.
• Provide guidance and instructions to plant operations on compliance with customs regulations.
• Coordinate and manage Product Change Requests with support team and third party supplier.
• Manage FTA and Entry Verification GTM software modules.
• Provide support and back to finance teams related to duty trends.
• General consulting with internal clients related to duty/tariff payments.

Requirements:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; Business Admin., Finance, International Relations, Logistics or Supply Chain preferred
• Master’s degree or Licensed Broker a Plus

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Must have strong communication skills (oral and written) and be able to influence others
• Must be able to plan, delegate, organize and prioritize work while working under time constraints.
• Must have advanced computer skills in Microsoft: Outlook, Access Excel, Sharepoint and Word.
• Must demonstrate outstanding mathematical aptitude, critical thinking and problem solving capability.
• Must have 5+ years experience managing customs and import/export activities for medium to large sized importers/ manufacturer(s).
• Must have 5+ years experience managing import/export activities of third party service providers.

How We Work to Deliver a Best Experience: Our Culture

• Our Core Value: We do the right thing, always
• Our Seven Cultural Behaviors
• Empowerment - We trust our people.
• Ownership - We take 100% responsibility for our roles actions, and results.
• Leadership - We all lead by example and talk direct with respect (DWR).
• One Team - We are One Springs Team.
• Customer First - We consider our customers' needs before every decision.
• Continuous Innovation - We are constantly learning, innovating, and improving.
• Speed - We define priorities and operate with a sense of urgency and agility.