Senior Leader, U.S. Trade Compliance Program

Senior Leader, U.S. Trade Compliance Program

At ABB, we help industries run leaner and cleaner—and every person here makes that happen. You'll be empowered to lead, supported to grow, and proud of the impact we create together. Join us and help run what runs the world.

This position reports to:
Country Trade Compliance Manager (CTCM)

Your role and responsibilities

The Senior Leader, U.S. Trade Compliance Program will be responsible for supporting the Country Trade Compliance Officer (CTCO) in the management, governance, and execution of the ABB's U.S. Trade Compliance Program. This role provides strategic oversight of trade compliance risks, policies, controls, and operational processes while partnering with business stakeholders to ensure compliance with applicable U.S. import, export, sanctions, and customs regulations.

The position serves as a key leader within the U.S. trade compliance function, driving program excellence, continuous improvement, and regulatory compliance across the organization.

The work model for the role is:
Remote

This role is contributing to the Country Trade Compliance group in the United States.

Trade Compliance Program Leadership

• Support the Country Trade Compliance Officer (CTCO) in developing, implementing, and executing the U.S. Trade Compliance Program strategy.
• Lead key program initiatives to ensure compliance with U.S. import, export, sanctions, and other trade regulations.
• Drive continuous improvement of the Country's trade compliance processes.
• Serve as a senior advisor to Local Trade Compliance Officers (LTCOs) on trade compliance risks and regulatory requirements.

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

• Identify, assess, and mitigate trade compliance risks through proactive monitoring and controls.
• Support the CTCO with investigations of potential compliance concerns and support corrective and preventive action plans.
• Escalate significant compliance risks, violations, and regulatory developments to the CTCO.
• Support the CTCO with Risk Reviews and advise Local Trade Compliance Officers on the required due diligence to perform the trade compliance evaluations.
• Support the CTCO with managing the Annual Trade Review Program for the review of the transactional and process checks. Support Local Trade Compliance Officers with the development of mitigation actions and ensure that identified gaps are closed timely.
• Manage the tri-annual Global Trade Risk Assessment from the Group COE to identify key risks for all U.S. controlled items and to sensitive countries.

Governance & Internal Controls

• Monitor compliance performance through Annual Trade Reviews, Global Trade Risk Assessments, metrics, and key performance indicators.
• Coordinate with the Local Trade Compliance Officers on remediation efforts resulting from internal audits, regulatory reviews, or compliance assessments.
• Responsible for managing the Country Trade Recordkeeping Repositories.

Business Partnership & Operational Support

• Partner with the LTCOs and local business functions, such as logistics, procurement, engineering, sales, and legal teams to support the implementation of compliance requirements into business operations.
• Provide strategic guidance on complex import/export transactions, product classifications, licensing requirements, and jurisdiction determinations.
• Facilitate trade-compliant solutions that balance regulatory requirements with operational objectives.

Training & Awareness

• Lead development and deployment of U.S. trade compliance training and awareness initiatives.
• Ensure LTCOs understand their compliance responsibilities and regulatory obligations.
• Promote ongoing education regarding changes in trade regulations, enforcement trends, and company policy requirements.

Regulatory Engagement & External Interface

• Support the CTCO with interactions with U.S. government agencies, including Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), and OFAC, as applicable.
• Assist the CTCO in managing disclosures, audits, inquiries, and examinations by regulatory authorities.
• Monitor regulatory developments and assess potential impacts to the company's operations.

Strategic Initiatives

• Support the CTCO with merger and acquisition activities, integration efforts, and due diligence reviews from a trade compliance perspective.
• Develop metrics and executive reporting to provide leadership visibility into compliance program effectiveness and risk exposure.

• Master's degree in supply chain and/or trade management field (preferred) and 10+ years of experience in managing U.S. trade compliance programs; or Bachelor's degree in supply chain and/or trade management field (preferred) and 12+ years of experience in U.S. trade compliance.
• Hold Customs Broker License (strongly preferred).
• Certified Import and/or Export Specialist (preferred but not required).
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