Associate Director, Trade Compliance

The Associate Director of Global Trade Compliance will lead the company’s Juarez trade compliance strategy and operations for Mexico, with particular responsibility for IMMEX/customs programs, import and export compliance, inventory control, and VAT/IVA tax-deferral mechanisms. This position will ensure compliance with Mexican customs and tax regulations while supporting efficient cross-border operations and optimizing the company’s global trade framework. The role requires strong knowledge of Mexico IMMEX (maquiladora) operations, customs compliance, VAT/IVA requirements, ERP inventory systems, and U.S. and international trade regulations , as well as the ability to partner effectively with Finance, Tax, Legal, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and IT.

Responsibilities

• Lead the global trade compliance program for Mexico manufacturing and maquiladora operations.
• Oversee IMMEX, customs, import/export, bonded inventory, and temporary-import programs.
• Ensure accurate reconciliation between physical inventory, customs inventory records, and ERP system balances. Prisma software experience preferred.
• Establish controls to identify and resolve discrepancies between ERP inventory, customs declarations, bills of materials (BOMs), and actual materials consumed or exported.
• Manage compliance with Mexican VAT/IVA tax-deferral and certification programs, including requirements associated with temporary imports and subsequent exports.
• Partner with Tax and Finance to ensure proper treatment and documentation of VAT/IVA deferrals and recoveries.
• Develop and maintain processes for inventory traceability from importation through manufacturing, consumption, transfer, and export.
• Oversee import and export classifications, customs valuation, origin, tariff treatment, and documentation.
• Experience managing Foreign Trade Agreement programs such as USMCA.
• Monitor changes in Mexican customs, tax, trade, and foreign-trade regulations and translate regulatory changes into operational requirements.
• Lead internal and external customs audits and coordinate corrective-action plans.
• Develop compliance KPIs and dashboards covering inventory reconciliation, temporary imports, exports, VAT exposure, customs discrepancies, and audit findings.
• Partner with IT and Manufacturing to improve automated controls and data integrity.
• Establish governance over material master data affecting customs compliance, including material numbers, HTS classifications, country of origin, BOMs, and customs attributes.
• Provide strategic guidance to Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Shipping and Receiving, Procurement, and Logistics regarding cross-border transactions.
• Coordinate with U.S. and global trade compliance teams on U.S. export controls, sanctions, customs, and international trade requirements.
• Develop and maintain policies, procedures, training programs, and internal controls.
• Lead and develop a team of trade compliance professionals and customs specialists.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in International Trade, Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Law, Accounting, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in global trade compliance, within a manufacturing and/or maquiladora environment.
• Significant experience managing Mexico customs and IMMEX operations.
• Strong understanding of Mexican VAT/IVA requirements and VAT tax-deferral mechanisms applicable to temporary imports/maquiladora operations.
• Demonstrated experience with ERP systems and inventory reconciliation, including the ability to reconcile ERP balances against customs inventory and physical inventory.
• Experience with inventory-management systems and automated customs/compliance tools.
• Strong knowledge of import/export regulations and customs documentation.
• Experience working with Finance, Tax, Legal, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and IT.
• Fluent English and Spanish, with excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
• Experience managing audits, regulatory investigations, and corrective-action programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with IMMEX, VAT Certification/IVA-IEPS, Anexo 24, and Anexo 30.
• Experience with Mexican customs inventory-control requirements and virtual/temporary import transactions.
• Experience with SAP, Oracle, or another major ERP platform.
• Experience implementing or improving ERP/customs inventory reconciliation processes.
• Knowledge of U.S. EAR, OFAC, and U.S. customs requirements.
• Experience in electronics, technology, automotive, aerospace, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Professional certification in customs,