Director Global Customs LAM

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

To monitor and support Customs operations in the region, ensuring efficient operations and customs compliance. To work closely with SCM teams to support customs elements of agreed projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support and manage customs and SCM related projects as defined by Global Customs and SCM local management.
• Regional role, overseeing customs compliance programs and activities that ensure compliance with Customs requirements and timely customs clearance of all containers arriving at Port.
• Support Model changes in local Markets.
• Support and escalate issues arising on valuation, classification, and preference to the respective Global Customs team.
• Support regional management of external customs brokers focussing on compliance management and KPI performance of service providers.
• Support regional Customs market teams to:
  • identify compliance gaps and develop corrective actions in order to help ensure compliance with Customs and other government regulations
  • create compliance-related metrics to ensure cross-border processes and procedures are effective, compliant, and address identified gaps
  • monitor compliance-related performance to ensure existing customs and trade compliance programs and processes are effective and up-to-date
  • sample accuracy of customs declarations in each Market to ensure compliance in areas of valuation, classification and origin declared
  • develop documented processes and controls relating to import and export processes
• Lead response to external Customs audits and lead resolution of customs compliance issues.
• Ensure Customs market team members have the appropriate training and technical knowledge of the best practice in their areas.
• Support the coordination and reporting of preference savings for the region.
• Be the single point of contact for regional Customs operational topics.
• Closely work with the subject leads (valuation, classification, and preference) in Global Customs to understand the global initiatives and incorporate them in Markets KPI and compliance monitoring.
• Keep abreast of legislation updates and Review legislative changes in the region that could impact adidas and support lobbying efforts in consultation with Global Government Affairs (e.g. safeguard enquiries).
• Support and advise local Markets on handling operational issues and new documentation requests.

Key Relationships:

• Part of the SCM LAM Senior Leadership Team (SLT)
• Local SCM teams in Markets
• Legal / SEA
• Customs Authorities
• Customs Brokers / Service Providers
• Global IT & External software providers Group Tax
• Global Finance & GBS

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experienced in practical aspects of Customs operational compliance
• Ability to work and deliver within a complex and dynamic multi-diverse stakeholder environment whilst adhering to strict and / or conflicting deadlines
• Demonstrated business reasoning, analytical and critical thinking
• Excellent leadership skills and high degree of self-management, enthusiasm and results-driven
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) and facilitation skills – experience of communicating with and influencing stakeholders at all levels
• Fluent English language skills both spoken and written

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• Current and relevant knowledge of customs legislation
• 10+ years’ working experience in supply chain and customs specialist functions