R10013385 Director of International Trade Compliance (Open)

Location:

Houston, TX - WLY - Management

How will you CONTRIBUTE and GROW?

The Director of International Trade Compliance will be responsible for leading the strategic direction and management of Airgas’ trade organization by creating, implementing, and driving an innovative and responsive global trade compliance program. By enabling trade compliance excellence across the organization, the role will ensure robust compliance within those countries where Airgas conducts business. This role will also deploy, monitor and improve the effectiveness of current compliance controls and processes, ensuring there is sufficient focus and resources dedicated to trade compliance across the organization, as well as making recommendations to senior leaders to address any gaps.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Further develop, implement and manage the company’s International Trade Compliance program, including policies and procedures applicable to all business units and foreign affiliates, and provide training to associates involved in import/export transactions.

• Manage SAFECOR’s Trade Compliance Specialist and provide strategic guidance to a group of 26 Trade Compliance Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) that support the company’s different business units and foreign affiliates on trade compliance matters.

• Responsible for developing trade compliance training modules in Airgas University, assigning training as needed, and managing the company’s trade compliance training tracker.

• Oversee the company’s Product Classification Request program to ensure all goods are properly classified for imports and exports.

• Conduct risk-assessments of all the business units and regions to identify trade compliance gaps and issue recommendations to each Trade SME and BU/Region management.

• Identify technology trade tools to enhance the Airgas ITC program and improve current manual processes.

• Lead meetings with management to justify the investment of funds for trade compliance projects, such as Dynamic Restricted Party Screening, Product Classifications, Export Licensing Determinations.

• Manage the Anti-corruption due diligence process of international customs brokers and freight forwarders.

• Issue and manage Customs Powers of Attorney and Broker/Freight Forwarder Standard Operating Procedures.

• Manage the relationship with Airgas’ customs brokers and forwarding agents to ensure they are processing accurate filings on the company’s behalf and that invoices are paid on a timely basis.

• Partner with different company departments that interact with SAFECOR International Trade and local Trade SMEs, such as: Logistics, Procurement, Treasury, Risk Management, Legal, Human Resources, Corporate Communications, and Learning & Development.

• Responsible for enhancing the company’s trade compliance internal webpage to provide resources and updates to personnel involved in import/export transactions.

• Manage Airgas’ Trade electronic recordkeeping platform to ensure all compliance records are stored and readily accessible for internal assessments or audits.

• Provide monthly reports to the Global International Trade Compliance Officer on the status of projects that will continue to enhance the company’s International Trade Compliance program.

• Issue quarterly import and export data reports and share with senior management and all Trade SMEs.

• Lead any voluntary self disclosures to government agencies on trade related matters, in coordination with Airgas Legal and external trade compliance counsel.

• Acts as the primary contact with US Customs and Border Protection, US Census Department, Bureau of Industry and Security, USITC, and other government agencies both US and foreign on all significant international trade related matters.

• Develop and lead Airgas’ trade compliance strategic plans to enhance the existing trade compliance program.

• Responsible for leading and organizing bi-annual ITC in-person conferences for all Trade SMEs.

• Represent Airgas on the Internal AIM Task Force Team to support in tracking imports and exports of HFCs for the purpose of reducing the use of hydrofluorocarbons.

• Develop, implement and manage any other trade compliance strategic initiatives.

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Are you a MATCH?

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each job duty satisfactorily or lead others to perform certain requirements of these duties. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Individual must be a self-starter and capable of executing duties with little or no direction.

• 10+ years of experience in import and export compliance activities working for multinational company;

• Import or Export Certification or equivalent experience;

• Hands-on engagement/experience with the USDA, BIS, U.S. Customs, OFAC and corresponding EU regulatory agencies;

• Proven experience in identifying, re-engineering and implementing Global Trade Compliance processes and procedures;

• Demonstrated understanding of OFAC and BIS requirements for restricted parties and countries, export licensing (including technology review and deemed export licensing), and reporting and documentation;

• In-depth expertise with the Harmonized Code System and Explanatory Notes & US Customs classification; demonstrated experience in maintaining a database of import and export data in full compliance with reporting requirements of US Customs;

• Experience building departmental and/or cross-functional Trade Controls governance infrastructure;

• Experience managing multiple projects/processes;

• Strong written and verbal communications skills;

• Excellent leadership and management skills managing employees (either direct or indirect).

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, law or international trade, advanced degree preferred.

• Trade related certifications: CUSECO, CES, CIS, and/or LCB (preferred).

Required Length & Type of Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in roles of increasing responsibility in trade compliance function (import and/or export compliance), preferably with an international company with multiple US and international locations.

• Prior demonstrated experience in the development, implementation and maintenance of a compliance program, including training, policies, and guidelines.

• Demonstrated knowledge of:

  • Incoterms

  • Export Administration Regulations

  • ITAR Regulations

  • Customs Regulations

  • Product Classification (HTS and ECCN)

  • Free Trade Agreements

  • Country of Origin Determination

  • Knowledge of import and export regulations in countries other than the USA

  • Anti-corruption

• Experience with SAP is highly desired.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of import and export regulations

• Communicates well verbally and in writing at all levels, adapting the message to ensure clarity and understanding

• Excellent problem solving skills

• Technical competence

• Team facilitation skills: Favor Proposition of New Ideas – Keep Focus

• Good computer skills, with working knowledge of Google applications

• Strong experience with excel and Google Sheets (preferred)

• Customer-oriented approach.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The characteristics listed below are representative of the physical demands required by an individual to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• Employee may be required to remain stationary for extended periods of time.

• Employee may occasionally be required to transverse through office and/or manufacturing locations.

• Employee will frequently be required to actively listen and exchange information.

• Employee will be required to observe and assess information received via computer.

• Requires use of computer, telephone and operation of a motor vehicle.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The characteristics listed below are representative of the work environment typically encountered by an individual while performing the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• Occasional travel (25-30%) to include overnight stays.

• Must have reliable, appropriate transportation.

• Job requires visitation of various Airgas and customer sites, which have varying environments/conditions, layouts, and accessibility.

NOTE: The above stated duties are intended to outline those functions typically performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This description of duties is not intended to be all-inclusive or to limit the discretionary authority of supervisors to assign other tasks of similar nature or level of responsibility nor does it imply an employment agreement.

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Your differences enhance our performance

At Airgas, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders and cultures across the world.

We welcome and consider applications from all qualified applicants, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability or any other protected characteristic. We strongly believe a diverse organization opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively and it helps foster our ability to innovate by living our fundamentals, acting for our success and creating an engaging environment in a changing world.

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Equal Employment Opportunity Information

We are an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Please click here to view the EEO Know Your Rights poster and here to view the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination poster. Airgas, an Air Liquide Company invites any applicant and/or employee to review the Company’s written Affirmative Action Plan or Policy Statement. This plan or policy statement is available for inspection upon request by contacting Human Resources at 844-myHR4AG (844-694-7424).

Airgas, an Air Liquide Company and its group of companies does not discriminate against qualified applicants with disabilities and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to the known disabilities of such individuals so as to ensure equal access to benefits and privileges of employment. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact us by phone at 844-myHR4AG (844-694-7424) or by email to us-accommodationrequest@airgas.com .