Senior Manager Trade Compliance Ops - Americas

At Intuitive, we are united behind our mission: we believe that minimally invasive care is life-enhancing care. Through ingenuity and intelligent technology, we expand the potential of physicians to heal without constraints.
As a pioneer and market leader in robotic-assisted surgery, we strive to foster an inclusive and diverse team, committed to making a difference. For more than 25 years, we have worked with hospitals and care teams around the world to help solve some of healthcare's hardest challenges and advance what is possible.
Intuitive has been built by the efforts of great people from diverse backgrounds. We believe great ideas can come from anywhere. We strive to foster an inclusive culture built around diversity of thought and mutual respect. We lead with inclusion and empower our team members to do their best work as their most authentic selves.
Passionate people who want to make a difference drive our culture. Our team members are grounded in integrity, have a strong capacity to learn, the energy to get things done, and bring diverse, real world experiences to help us think in new ways. We actively invest in our team members to support their long-term growth so they can continue to advance our mission and achieve their highest potential.
Join a team committed to taking big leaps forward for a global community of healthcare professionals and their patients. Together, let's advance the world of minimally invasive care.

Primary Function of Position

The Senior Manager Trade Compliance Ops - Americas will involve leading, executing and maintaining compliance with Americas Customs and regulations. This position will drive the overall logistics compliance strategies, activities, and requirements for the medical devices import, export, and trade regulations within the region. He/she will ensure regional compliance with all applicable company policies, and customs and other government agency regulations while managing the expeditions flow of international trade. The responsibility also includes process improvements related to Logistics Compliance and cross functional activities. The incumbent will establish relationships with cross functional stakeholders.

Essential Job Duties

• Develop, implement, and manage the relevant trade compliance policies and procedures manuals and standard work documents necessary to successfully manage import and export operations across the region.
• Supervise import/ export transactions, processes and documentation requirements to facilitate the smooth flow of goods across borders while minimizing delays and costs.
• Manage and mentor import/ export compliance personnel and develop staff including hiring, goal setting, performance, coaching, teamwork, and projects.
• Serve as a subject matter pro on customs compliance matters, providing guidance and support to internal stakeholders on complex issues and transactions.
• Elaborate common practices and process improvements and assess potential of automation.
• Oversee daily import / export shipment clearance operations. Manage broker reviews and monitoring to enhance broker performance and cycle times.
• Manage compliance with preferential-and non-preferential trade, duty suspension, drawback programs and economical customs procedures where applicable.
• Ensure Regional data integrity related to tariff classification, country of origin, and regulatory information declared to Customs and other Government Agencies.
• Submit and monitor import- and export permits/ license applications and customs rulings as needed.
• Troubleshoots and resolves problems to incomplete/inaccurate customs documentation and/or other border crossing issues.
• Develop and implement audit programs to ensure the accuracy in the shipping document and customs declaration.
• Oversee import and export recordkeeping practices to ensure compliance with Corporate Policy and regulations of all government agencies.
• Supervise pre- and post-entry audits related to customs declaration, forwarder/ brokers, other logistics service providers and suppliers. Follow up with appropriate corrective action and make corrections when non-compliance is identified.
• Monitor forwarders and customs brokers and evaluate adherence to Intuitive Brokerage SOP and metrics. Report findings to Corporate Logistics Compliance and follow up with documented corrective action related to monthly brokerage metrics reports.
• Monitor export shipments within the region for compliance, end-use statements, embargos, anti-boycott, etc.
• Manage compliance initiative and continuous improvement projects with minimal assistance and oversight.
• Assist, maintain, and communicate Intuitive Logistics Compliance Manuals, policies and procedures, and trade compliance guidelines.
• Develop and conduct internal risk assessments. Follow-up with Compliance Improvement Plans.
• Monitor and report on trade compliance effectiveness, identify gaps, advise on local risk and manage mitigation of these risks.
• Develop and implement cross-functional training program on import/ export requirements.
• Assist in global and/or regional compliance initiatives, internal audit, and self-assessment programs.
• Participate as core team member on new product development, new market launch, new product launch ensuring that all Trade Compliance requirements are met.
• Research and make conclusions regarding Regional Customs and other government agency requirements for medical device products related to acquisitions and develop process maps where applicable.
• Engage Global Logistics Compliance to research Customs- and regulatory requirements for new destination markets including classification, import licenses, valuation, documentation, and import- and export restrictions and communicate back to medical device business.
• Evaluate IT solutions to streamline and improve upon current Regional Trade Compliance practices, communicate requirements to IT and assist with testing and solutions implementation.
• Monitor Customs Legislation, aligning business process to comply with changing requirements including trusted trader programs (e.g.: AEO, Known Shipper).
• Create action plans to address non-compliance within region.
• Manage the broker selection, RFP, and onboarding them.
• Regular reporting and presentation to senior management of regional LC compliance and status updates.
• Prompt potential customer and broker contract review, suggesting red lines and alternative language consistent with Intuitive Surgical contract risk guidance.
• Support Intuitive Surgical culture by performing work that is consistently, effectively, and reliably in accordance with the Company’s values and expectations.
• Performs other duties, tasks, or responsibilities as assigned.

Required Skills and Experience

• In depth knowledge of Trade Compliance principles (customs valuation, incoterms, license and permits, country of origin, HTS classifications, duty optimization / Free Trade Agreements, export controls and sanctions etc.)
• In depth knowledge of customs regulations, other government agencies (FDA, USDA, etc.) importing regulations, EAR & Census Trade requirements.
• Minimum 10+ years managing and building high performing teams.
• Experience with leading, executing, and maintaining Logistics Compliance programs.
• Demonstrate ability to transform strategic vision into innovative solutions from existing resources.
• Experience in managing and leading RFP, RFQ, logistics providers (Customs broker) selection and onboarding.
• Must possess proven statistical and change management skills, critical thinking, and problem solving with experience in risk management processes and gap analysis.
• Must be able to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and present effectively and persuasively at all levels.
• Bring extensive industry knowledge and demonstrated ability to influence at the Intuitive leadership site level.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Exceptional organization skills, able to multi-task, and can manage time to meet frequently changing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional cross-functional collaboration skills and ability to influence others through demonstrated expertise. Ability to manage multiple cross-organizational projects.
• Must be a team player, work effectively both autonomously and collaboratively.
• Exceptional working experience with databases, enterprise resource planning (ERP), global trade automation solutions, and the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) functionality.
• Experience in implementing and maintaining the C-TPAT, PIP, AEO programs.

Required Education and Training

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in supply chain logistics, international trade, or related field.
• Minimum 10+ years of experience in import and export operations, trade/ logistics compliance.
• Licensed Customs Broker – U.S. or similar professional trade certifications

Working Conditions

• Normal office conditions.
• Travel required (up to 25%) – both domestic and international.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Understanding and experience with the importation and exportation of medical devices.
• Experience in implementing Global Trade Management Software.
• Experience with Agile and SAP or equivalent ERP systems.
• Previous customs compliance experience is preferred.
• Six-Sigma experienced or CPIM preferred.
• Fluent in Spanish is a plus.

Due to the nature of our business and the role, please note that Intuitive and/or your customer(s) may require that you show current proof of vaccination against certain diseases including COVID-19.  Details can vary by role.

Intuitive is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws.

EEO and AA Policy

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

Preference will be given to qualified candidates who do not reside, or plan to reside, in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or Tennessee.

We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, benefits, and equity. It would not be typical for someone to be hired at the top end of range for the role, as actual pay will be determined based on several factors, including experience, skills, and qualifications. The target salary ranges are listed.