Director, Global Trade Compliance

Trek•Waterloo, WI

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Global Trade Compliance leads Trek’s global trade compliance strategy, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements while supporting business growth across all regions. This role provides leadership across import/export compliance, duty optimization, global trade programs, and risk management. This position leads a global team and partners with Supply Chain, Finance, Legal, Product Development, and regional leadership to integrate compliance into day-to-day operations. The role positions trade compliance as a strategic function that supports growth, manages cost, and reduces risk.

Requirements

U.S. Customs Broker License required.
Bachelor’s degree in international business, supply chain, or related field preferred.
12–15+ years of experience in global trade compliance, including leadership roles.
Strong knowledge of U.S., EU, and international trade regulations.
Proven experience leading teams and working across global functions.
Ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical business solutions.
Experience managing audits, disclosures, and regulatory interactions.
Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

Risk Management & Compliance Identify and mitigate trade compliance risks across regions. Lead responses to audits, reviews, and disclosures. Provide guidance on valuation, classification, country of origin, transfer pricing, and export controls. Partner with external counsel on complex or high-risk matters. Engage with customs authorities and government agencies as needed. Implement and maintain global standards and documentation.
Duty Optimization & Trade Programs Lead strategy for duty drawback, reconciliation, tariff mitigation, and FTA utilization. Oversee EU trade programs, including end-use, anti-dumping exemptions, and Trek’s bonded warehouse. Identify opportunities to reduce duty spend while maintaining compliance. Guide country of origin and valuation analysis.
Operational Oversight Ensure consistent execution of core compliance activities across regions. Support teams in managing broker performance, entry reviews, and post-entry processes. Monitor performance metrics and drive continuous improvement.
Cross-Functional & Regional Partnership Partner with Supply Chain, Finance, Legal, IT, and Product teams to integrate compliance into business processes. Support regional teams across the Americas, Europe, and APAC. Advise on market entry, distributor compliance, and sourcing decisions.
Systems & Continuous Improvement Drive improvements in trade compliance systems and tools to increase efficiency and accuracy. Use data and reporting to monitor performance and risk.
Tariffs & Government Engagement Lead company approach and response to tariffs, exclusions, and refunds. Oversee trade-related legal matters, including protests and cases. Communicate business impacts of trade changes.
Team Leadership & Development Lead, coach, and develop a global trade compliance team. Set priorities through goals, metrics, and regular communication. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.