Foreign-Trade Zone Team Lead, adidas Group, Spartanburg, SC

Purpose: This position is responsible for the daily administration of the Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) program for multiple brands within the organization. This includes ensuring that all activities performed in the Foreign Trade Zone are fully compliant with all Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and FTZ Regulations.

Key Responsibilities: Manage and oversee the daily responsibilities of FTZ personnel to include motivating, coaching, setting performance goals, annual performance evaluations, scheduling to include approval of FTO time while ensuring department coverage. Train, cross train and develop a staff of highly competent FTZ professionals. Reassign work responsibilities and schedule workflow as needed during peak periods. Handle all issues that are escalated from the FTZ Administrators, Operators, and Coordinators. Identify CBP and FTZ compliance issues and recommend a resolution. Resolve daily problems for all foreign trade zones including software related issues. Timely research and release of all containers held for seal and other discrepancies. Authorize and pay the weekly duties and fees to CBP via the ACH account for each brand. Prepare and pay the quarterly Harbor Maintenance Fees for each brand.  Run monthly reports for the Finance Group and work on discrepancy resolution. Assist with systems testing of the FTZ software for new zone users and software upgrades. Serve as backup and perform all functions of the FTZ Administrators, Operators, and Coordinators when necessary.

Key Relationships: Internal:  FTZ Personnel, DC Operations, Inventory Management, Inbound Traffic, Outbound Traffic, Export, Finance, US Customs Classification and Security. External: FTZ software provider, Steamship Lines and Customs Broker.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Strong practical knowledge of the US Foreign Trade Zones program including compliance and best practices. Working knowledge of the Imports, Exports, US Customs Brokerage, US Customs Classification, inventory control systems, warehousing and logistics activities. Strong supervisory skills including the ability to train and develop a team. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to read and interpret government regulations. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Self motivated, engaged and positive team player. Excellent organizational skills, self starter, independent thinker. Ability to work in a fast paced environment and meet daily deadlines with a high degree of accuracy. Work well under pressure. Exceptional attention to detail. PC Literate – strong Excel and Access skills.

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications: Bachelors Degree from a 4 year college or university. 3 – 5 years supervisory experience. 3 – 5 years experience in Foreign Trade Zone, Customs Brokerage, Imports, or Supply Chain Management.  Must submit fingerprint cards and pass US Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement background checks.

To be considered for this position, please submit your application at adidas-group.com/careers. For inquiries please send an email to hrspartanburg@adidas.com.

Foreign-Trade Zone/International Trade Compliance Leader (6/11/10)
Waterford (Albany), NY

Job Summary: Momentive Performance Materials is a global leader in silicones and advanced materials, with a 70-year heritage of being first to market with performance applications for major industries that support and improve everyday life. The company delivers science-based solutions, by linking custom technology platforms to opportunities for customers. Momentive Performance Materials Inc. is controlled by an affiliate of Apollo Management, L.P. Additional information is available at www.momentive.com. This permanent position has broad responsibility for running Momentive Performance Materials’ Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) operation compliantly and profitably in Waterford, NY. The position entails day-to-day management of all aspects of our chemical manufacturing subzone as well as periodic remote operation of a GP FTZ, reporting to Global International Trade Compliance (ITC) function.

A wide variety of organizational skills will be highly valued in the ideal candidate. The expectation for this position is to standardize/streamline FTZ operations then the ideal candidate can grow into additional ITC tasks and responsibilities, in a rapidly growing global trade operation in over 20 countries.

Position requires an organized and detailed person who can work independently. Position will involve elements of plant materials planning, and researching and collecting data from various computer systems for import, manufacturing and export operations. Immediate responsibilities will include maximizing the benefits of Momentive’s import/export operations by management of FTZ entry and exit, handling SAP data feeds into FTZ computer software for manufacturing processes, interfacing data with Customs agency, and general problem resolution. Specific job responsibilities will include tasks and objectives such as: · Coordinate effectively with cross-functional team to maximize Momentive’s benefit for FTZ activity. Team will include plant engineers, materials planners, logistics (internal and external) and inventory management personnel, shipping/receiving, regulatory, etc. · Researching data for FTZ admission and withdrawal of shipments · Manage SAP data feeds into FTZ system for manufacturing processes · Interface daily and weekly electronic data with Customs, and answer operational inquiries effectively · Coordinate with ITC personnel for effective overall government relations, training, oversight · Document savings and comparative analyses for Momentive management, identifying opportunities and presenting proactive plans/strategies · Prepare for and pass internal and external audits, such as FTZ “Spot Check” and CBP ISA procedures