Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) Manager
A Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) Manager oversees a company's FTZ operations — the secure, CBP-supervised sites where imported goods can be stored, processed, or manufactured with duties deferred, reduced, or eliminated. It's a specialized role combining inventory control, compliance, and regulatory coordination.
This article explains what a Foreign Trade Zone Manager job description may look like.
An FTZ Manager is responsible for keeping zone operations compliant with CBP regulations while helping the company capture the duty savings an FTZ makes possible. Some of the key duties and requirements for this role include:
Job Duties:
- Oversee daily operations of the company's Foreign Trade Zone site
- Maintain FTZ inventory control and recordkeeping systems in compliance with CBP regulations
- Prepare and submit required FTZ filings, including annual reports and admissions and withdrawals
- Coordinate with CBP and the FTZ Board on zone activity and compliance matters
- Identify duty deferral, reduction, and elimination opportunities through FTZ status
- Conduct internal audits of FTZ inventory and procedures
- Train warehouse and operations staff on FTZ compliance requirements
- Support annual reconciliation and CBP compliance reviews
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in supply chain, logistics, or a related field
- 3–5+ years of experience in customs compliance, warehousing, or FTZ operations
- Strong knowledge of FTZ regulations and CBP inventory control requirements
- Experience with FTZ or warehouse management software
- Strong organizational and process-management skills
- Ability to train and lead warehouse operations staff
- Comfortable working closely with CBP and regulatory auditors
Overall, an FTZ Manager plays a specialized role that pays for itself directly — well-run zones translate into real, measurable duty savings, making this a role companies invest in protecting.
Looking for your next role? Browse current Foreign Trade Zone jobs on Global Trade Jobs.