Customs Brokerage Import Manager. Licensed Required

Department: Customs Brokerage
Level: Manager/Supervisor

Overview:
Salary Range: $85,000–$125,000

Position Summary

The Import Manager directs and manages the activities of the import department within a branch, ensuring all import activities—both transportation and customs brokerage—are in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Establish, oversee, and continuously improve import process flows in conformance with applicable rules, procedures, and company policy.
• Develop internal SOPs and maintain KPIs for efficient management of inbound freight, including timely recovery and handover to brokers.
• Collaborate with sales to create customer-specific import handling procedures, especially during new customer onboarding.
• Ensure accurate documentation is created and transmitted to government agencies. Provide timely responses to customs, customer, and internal inquiries regarding classification, duty rates, documentation, and other import regulations.
• Represent customers to CBP as needed.
• Maintain current knowledge of CBP and other agency regulations, incorporating changes into departmental processes and ensuring employees receive proper compliance training.
• Organize, update, and disseminate client data (rate agreements, HTS classification, POA, IRS, Customs Bond data, etc.) for proper system updates.
• Review and enhance account profitability, billing accuracy, and timeliness.
• Arrange transportation, warehousing, or distribution of imported products, balancing transit times and profit opportunities. Negotiate contracts/rates with delivery agents.
• Prepare monthly reports for management.
• Train and onboard new staff.
• Conduct entry audits.
• Support accounts receivable collections when needed.

Customs Brokerage Responsibilities

In certain branches, the Import Manager oversees customs brokerage activities and functions as the broker of record. Responsibilities include:

• Serving as the licensed broker responsible to US Customs.
• Interfacing with government agencies and maintaining positive relationships.
• Maintaining customer bond and power of attorney files.
• Performing post-entry functions such as tariff concessions, refunds, duty drawbacks, credits, and issue resolution.
• Managing the audit program to ensure continual compliance.
• Conducting audits and assessing import compliance on all customs brokerage files.
• Ensuring JSOX compliance.

Requirements

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervise Import Supervisors and staff.
• Interview, hire, and train employees.
• Plan, assign, and direct work.
• Appraise performance, reward, and discipline employees.
• Address complaints and resolve problems in accordance with company policies and applicable laws.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Associate degree required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience handling imports.
• At least 3 years of supervisory experience.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Customs Broker License

• A Customs Broker’s License is required in small and medium-sized branches where the Import Manager directly oversees CHB functions.
• A license is preferred but not required in larger branches where a licensed broker has direct CHB responsibility.
• A Customs Broker’s License is required

Essential Job Functions

• Strong customer service and communication skills with the ability to handle a wide range of people and inquiries.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and lead a profit center.
• Capable of reporting on revenue generation, profit, and loss.

Benefits

A comprehensive benefits package is offered, which may include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage beginning the 1st of the month after hire.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Life and AD&D Insurance.
• Short- and Long-Term Disability.
• Tuition Assistance Program.
• Commuter Benefits.
• Paid vacation and additional perks.

All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and policy terms as provided by Human Resources.