Senior Manager, Global Trade & Customs

Senior Manager Global Trade & Customs

Opportunity to work in a world class organisation.

Key influencing role in our customs, tariffs management and trade compliance.

Permanent role based in Chicago.

Salary range for Illinois is between $152k-$209k.

The Global Trade Compliance team supports compliant and efficient international trade operations across the organization’s global supply chain network. The team partners with procurement, logistics, legal, finance, and external customs authorities to ensure alignment with international trade regulations while supporting operational continuity and business growth throughout global markets.

The Senior Manager Customs & Global Trade Manager is responsible for leading customs operations, tariff management, and trade compliance initiatives across the North America region. This role serves as a regional subject matter expert in tariff classification, origin determination, free trade agreements (FTAs), customs valuation, and operational customs compliance.

The successful candidate will oversee customs compliance workflows, duty optimization strategies, broker management, and regional trade initiatives while supporting operational excellence and minimizing regulatory risk.

• Lead tariff classification activities using Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) and customs frameworks.
• Manage duty optimization initiatives including FTAs, duty drawback opportunities, preferential trade programs, and tariff management strategies.
• Conduct origin analysis and support FTA qualification across North America trade lanes.
• Assess tariff and landed cost impacts related to sourcing and supply chain strategies.

• Oversee import and export customs operations across North America markets.
• Manage customs brokers, freight forwarders, and external logistics providers to ensure compliant and timely customs clearance.
• Resolve customs disputes, valuation issues, cargo holds, and regulatory escalations.
• Ensure accurate customs documentation, recordkeeping, and operational compliance procedures.

• Conduct and support customs and trade compliance audits across regional operations.
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for trade compliance activities and systems.
• Monitor regulatory developments, sanctions, tariff changes, and trade restrictions impacting operations.
• Identify compliance risks and implement mitigation and corrective action plans.

• Partner closely with sourcing, procurement, logistics, and legal teams on trade compliance initiatives.
• Act as a technical resource for customs and trade compliance matters, providing guidance and subject matter expertise.
• Monitor Trade KPIs and deliver reporting and insights to support operational and strategic decision‑making.
• Drive process improvement initiatives and support automation of customs and compliance workflows.

• 5-10+ years of experience in customs operations, global trade compliance, or international logistics.
• Strong knowledge of North America customs regulations, tariff classification, customs valuation, FTAs, and origin determination.
• Experience supporting North American markets preferred.
• Experience managing customs brokers and regulatory stakeholders.
• Familiarity with ERP systems.
• Strong analytical and investigative skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities.
• High attention to detail and compliance mindset.
• Ability to lead cross‑functional initiatives in fast‑paced global environments.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills.
• Continuous improvement and operational excellence focus.

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority.
• A competitive salary package with annual cash incentive awards for eligible employees.
• Career development & education assistance to further your ambitions.
• Access top tier family‑friendly health and medical programs and pension plan.
• Wellbeing benefits.
• Generous Rio Tinto employee share program.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Ongoing individual wellbeing support for you and your family for…