Trade Compliance Manager Job Description
A Trade Compliance Manager oversees a company's import and export compliance function, managing a team of Analysts and Specialists while setting the policies and strategy that keep global trade operations running smoothly. The role sits at the intersection of regulatory expertise and people leadership.
This article explains what a Trade Compliance Manager job description may look like.
A Trade Compliance Manager is responsible for the overall health of a company's trade compliance program, from day-to-day execution to long-term strategy and risk management. Some of the key duties and requirements for this role include:
Job Duties:
- Develop and execute the company's import/export compliance strategy and policies
- Manage a team of Trade Compliance Analysts and Specialists, setting priorities and reviewing their work
- Serve as the internal subject matter expert on CBP, BIS, and OFAC regulations
- Oversee classification, valuation, and country-of-origin determinations across product lines
- Lead internal and external compliance audits and drive corrective action plans
- Monitor legislative and regulatory developments — tariffs, trade remedies, export controls — and brief leadership on business impact
- Manage relationships with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and outside trade counsel
- Own the company's recordkeeping and internal control framework for trade compliance
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in international business, supply chain, or a related field; advanced degree a plus
- 5–8+ years of progressive trade compliance experience, including team leadership
- LCB, CCS, or CES certification preferred
- Strong knowledge of HTS classification, valuation, and free trade agreements
- Experience managing broker relationships and CBP audits
- Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills
- Comfortable presenting risk and compliance updates to senior leadership
Overall, a Trade Compliance Manager plays a pivotal role bridging day-to-day compliance execution with company-wide risk strategy — a natural next step for experienced Specialists ready to lead a team.
Looking for your next role? Browse current Trade Compliance jobs on Global Trade Jobs.