Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Trade Director

🎯 Role Definition

As the Trade Director, you will be the principal architect and leader of our company's international trade strategy. You will be responsible for building and maintaining a world-class trade compliance program that not only ensures adherence to all applicable laws but also acts as a competitive advantage. This role requires a dynamic leader who can collaborate across functions—from legal and finance to supply chain and sales—to provide strategic guidance, drive operational excellence, and protect the company's interests in a rapidly evolving global market. You will be the senior-most expert on trade matters, influencing executive decisions and shaping the future of our global footprint.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Manager, Global Trade Compliance
Director of Logistics
Supply Chain Director
Senior Counsel, International Trade

Advancement To:

Vice President, Global Trade & Logistics
Vice President, Global Supply Chain
Chief Compliance Officer

Lateral Moves:

Director of Global Sourcing
Director of Supply Chain Strategy

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, implement, and continuously refine the company's global trade compliance strategy and policy framework to support business objectives while ensuring adherence to all international, federal, and local regulations.
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing global trade compliance team, setting clear objectives, managing performance, and fostering a culture of expertise and continuous improvement.
Serve as the company's ultimate subject matter expert on all trade-related issues, including import/export controls (EAR, ITAR), customs regulations, economic sanctions (OFAC), and anti-boycott rules.
Provide strategic counsel to executive leadership and business units on trade-related risks and opportunities associated with new market entries, product launches, and M&A activities.
Oversee and direct the accurate and timely classification of all products for import and export, including Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), Export Control Classification Number (ECCN), and Country of Origin determinations.
Manage relationships and performance of third-party logistics providers, customs brokers, and freight forwarders, negotiating contracts and establishing robust KPIs to drive efficiency and cost savings.
Direct the company’s duty-savings programs, including the strategic use of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), foreign-trade zones (FTZs), duty drawback, and other tariff mitigation strategies.
Establish and maintain a comprehensive internal audit and risk assessment program for trade compliance, identifying potential gaps, and implementing corrective action plans to ensure program integrity.
Act as the primary point of contact for government agencies (e.g., Customs, BIS, OFAC) during inquiries, audits, and investigations, managing all communications and required submissions.
Drive the selection, implementation, and optimization of Global Trade Management (GTM) software and other technology solutions to automate compliance processes and enhance data visibility.
Develop and deliver company-wide trade compliance training programs to educate employees in relevant functions (e.g., Sales, R&D, Procurement) on their compliance responsibilities.
Oversee the process for obtaining necessary import/export licenses, permits, and certifications, ensuring all shipments are properly authorized and documented.
Monitor global geopolitical and regulatory landscapes for changes that could impact the company’s supply chain and business operations, proactively developing mitigation strategies.
Partner with the Legal department to interpret complex regulations and provide guidance on their practical application to the company's business.
Lead cross-functional projects to integrate trade compliance requirements into the entire product lifecycle, from design and sourcing to final delivery.
Establish and govern a robust record-keeping policy for all import/export documentation in accordance with statutory requirements.
Champion a culture of compliance throughout the organization, embedding trade considerations into the core business decision-making processes.

Secondary Functions

Support the Supply Chain team by analyzing the trade and customs implications of various logistics network designs and sourcing decisions.
Collaborate with the Finance and Tax departments on transfer pricing, customs valuation, and the financial reporting of duties and tariffs.
Participate in industry trade associations and government forums to stay abreast of best practices and influence developing trade policy.
Advise the product development and engineering teams on "design for exportability" principles to minimize future trade barriers.
Manage the departmental budget, including technology spend, headcount, and third-party service fees, ensuring responsible fiscal stewardship.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Expert Knowledge of Global Trade Regulations: Deep, authoritative understanding of U.S. and international trade laws, including Export Administration Regulations (EAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions, and customs regulations (19 CFR).
Tariff Classification Mastery: Proven expertise in Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) and Schedule B classification, as well as Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) determination.
Global Trade Management (GTM) Systems: Hands-on experience with implementing and/or managing GTM platforms like SAP GTS, Oracle GTM, E2open, or similar systems.
Trade Program Management: Demonstrable skill in managing complex duty-mitigation programs such as Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZs), and duty drawback.
Customs Valuation & Country of Origin: In-depth knowledge of customs valuation methodologies and complex country of origin rules and analysis.
Supply Chain & Logistics Acumen: Strong understanding of international logistics, freight forwarding, and incoterms to connect compliance with physical operations.
Risk Assessment & Auditing: Proficiency in designing and conducting internal trade compliance audits, risk assessments, and developing effective corrective action plans.

Soft Skills

Strategic Leadership & People Management: Ability to lead, inspire, and develop a global team of professionals, setting a clear vision and driving results.
Executive Communication & Influence: Exceptional ability to distill complex regulatory concepts into clear business implications for senior leadership and to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
Complex Problem-Solving: Superior analytical and critical thinking skills to navigate ambiguity, solve novel trade challenges, and make sound, risk-based decisions.
Business Acumen: Strong commercial awareness and the ability to align trade compliance strategy directly with overarching business goals and financial performance.
Project Management: Proven ability to lead large-scale, cross-functional initiatives, such as GTM system implementations or compliance program overhauls, from conception to completion.
Negotiation & Vendor Management: Skill in negotiating contracts and managing relationships with customs brokers, consultants, and freight forwarders to ensure optimal performance and value.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree (MBA, M.S. in Supply Chain) or Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Relevant Fields of Study:

International Business
Supply Chain Management
Logistics
Law
Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 12-15+ years of progressive experience in global trade compliance, logistics, or a related field.

Preferred: A minimum of 7+ years in a leadership role managing a team of trade or supply chain professionals. A U.S. Customs Broker License (LCB) is highly desirable.