The company
our client is a fortune 500 global leader and one of the world's largest producers of interconnect systems and advanced electronic components, serving critical industries including aerospace, automotive, industrial, and communications.
in mexico, the organization operates a highly strategic shared services platform, supporting 25+ business units and manufacturing operations across the country. This center plays a pivotal role in enabling operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and cross-border efficiency within a complex, high-volume environment.
as part of its continued growth and increasing operational sophistication, the company is seeking an experienced customs operations manager to lead and elevate its customs and trade compliance function across mexico and the u.s.
the position
overview
this is a high-impact leadership role responsible for overseeing customs operations across a multi-plant, multi-division manufacturing network. The position requires a seasoned leader who can operate at both strategic and execution levels, ensuring full compliance while driving efficiency, standardization, and continuous improvement.
you will lead a team of 30+ professionals and act as the central authority on trade compliance, partnering closely with operations, finance, supply chain, and executive leadership.
key responsibilities
* own end-to-end customs compliance across all divisions and manufacturing sites in mexico
* lead, develop, and align a team of 30+ professionals, ensuring clarity of priorities, accountability, and performance
* establish and drive kpis and performance metrics to ensure operational excellence and compliance rigor
* ensure all processes, procedures, and training programs remain fully aligned with evolving regulations
core functional leadership
* ensure full compliance with mexican and u.s. customs laws, immex, usmca, and other trade agreements
* lead trade compliance strategy, including duty optimization and utilization of programs such as prosec and rule 8th
* oversee annex 24 / annex 30 (civa), aeo / ctpat programs, and supply chain security initiatives
* manage customs audits (mexico & u.s.), including preparation, response, and corrective actions
* ensure accuracy across hts classifications, valuation, country of origin, and documentation
* maintain integrity of customs systems and data, including reconciliation and reporting processes
* interface directly with mexican and u.s. authorities, managing permits, certifications, and compliance requirements
* oversee itar compliance where applicable
leadership & decision authority
* define and implement department procedures and governance
* assign roles and responsibilities across the customs organization
* act as primary liaison with government agencies and external advisors
* approve customs transactions, certifications of origin, and duty payments
* determine when external legal counsel is required
the candidate
experience & education
* bachelor's degree in international trade, law, supply chain, or related field.
* 10+ years of progressive experience in mexican and u.s. customs operations. Prior solid experience in a customs, import & export, or trade compliance leadership role such as: director of customs & trade compliance, senior import & export manager, customs & trade compliance manager or similar.
* deep expertise in immex, usmca, annex 24/30, hts classification, valuation, and origin rules.
* experience leading customs audits and regulatory interactions in both mexico and the u.s.
* prior in-house customs broker (apoderado aduanal) and/or u.s. Broker license is a strong plus.
* experience with ctpat, oea, civa, and trade compliance systems.
* familiarity with itar is a plus.
* systems exposure (darwin, bms, as400, macola) preferred.
* ms office including sound experience with excel.
* fully bilingual (english/spanish)
leadership profile & competencies
* strong executive presence with the ability to influence across functions and levels
* deep expertise in customs and trade compliance, combined with strong business judgment
* proven ability to lead in complex, multi-site environments. Prefer experience leading in large global organizations.
* highly disciplined with a focus on process rigor and execution excellence
* strong financial acumen and understanding of duty impact on the business
* collaborative leader with the ability to work cross-functionally (finance, ehs, security, hr, operations)
* hands-on, proactive, and solutions-oriented mindset
* high integrity, strong organizational skills, and attention to detail
* customer-oriented with a results-driven and ownership mentality
why this role
this is a unique opportunity to:
* lead customs operations at scale within a highly respected global organization
* influence and optimize trade compliance across a complex, multi-plant footprint
* play a critical role in supporting cross-border manufacturing and nearshoring strategies
* be part of a company known for operational excellence, innovation, and long-term growth