North America Trade Governance Manager

The  
** NA Trade Governance Manager
** leads trade compliance governance across North America, ensuring import and export activities comply with applicable regulations, internal policies, and business requirements. This role provides strategic oversight of regional trade compliance programs, including customs, export controls, sanctions screening, origin, valuation, broker management, and audit response. The position partners across functions to build scalable processes, strengthen internal controls, and proactively manage trade-related risk.

As the function evolves, this leader will help shape the future-state governance model, bringing flexibility, sound judgment, and the ability to build structure that supports both compliance and business growth.

** Key Responsibilities*
* ** Trade Compliance Governance & Regulatory Oversight*
* + Lead trade governance and compliance across North America (U.S. and Canada), ensuring adherence to import/export regulations, customs requirements, export controls, and sanctions laws

+ Monitor and interpret changes in the external trade environment (e.g., customs regulations, forced labor requirements, government agency rules) and translate into business requirements

+ Serve as the regional subject matter expert and escalation point for trade compliance decisions and risk management

+ Apply a risk-based approach to prioritize compliance efforts and proactively mitigate exposure

** Policy, Procedures & Internal Controls*
* + Develop, implement, and continuously improve regional trade compliance procedures aligned to global policies

+ Ensure effective internal controls and governance structures are in place to maintain compliance

+ Drive adherence to global trade policies while enabling necessary regional adaptations

+ Lead corrective actions, root cause analysis, and remediation of compliance issues

** Import / Export Program Management*
* + Oversee core trade compliance program elements, including:

+ Import compliance and customs requirements

+ Export controls and sanctions screening

+ Product classification, valuation, and country of origin determination

+ Duty preference programs and free trade agreement utilization

+ Incoterms governance and trade documentation standards

+ Special program compliance (e.g., CTPAT, AEO, forced labor regulations)

+ Support strategic business decisions related to classification, valuation, origin, and duty optimization

+ Maintain strong governance over trade data and documentation to ensure compliance and audit readiness

** Broker, Systems & External Partner Management*
* + Own relationships with customs brokers, trade service providers, and external partners

+ Ensure effective governance of trade-related systems, accounts, and data (e.g., classifications, origin, Incoterms)

+ Partner with Procurement and other teams to establish and manage third-party support models

** Audit, Agency & Risk Management*
* + Represent the company in interactions with customs authorities and regulatory agencies

+ Lead responses to audits, inquiries, penalty notices, and documentation requests

+ Oversee import bond management, sufficiency reviews, and renewals

+ Partner with Legal, Ethics & Compliance, Risk Management, Treasury, and other functions to mitigate trade risks

+ Develop and monitor key compliance metrics, risks, and performance indicators

** Cross-Functional Leadership & Capability Building*
* + Lead and influence a cross-functional regional trade compliance network

+ Partner with Procurement, Logistics, Commercial, Marketing, Finance, and Legal teams

+ Develop and execute trade compliance training programs and increase organizational awareness

+ Build internal capability through clear guidance, documentation, and stakeholder engagement

** Strategic Planning & Future-State Development*
* + Contribute to regional trade strategy and due diligence activities

+ Identify opportunities to simplify, standardize, and automate trade processes

+ Enhance data quality, reporting, and compliance visibility through improved governance

+ Build scalable processes and frameworks to support evolving business and regulatory needs

+ Help shape the future-state trade governance model for North America

** Qualifications*
* + Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, International Trade, Business, Logistics, Finance, Law, or related field

+ Significant experience in trade compliance, customs, or global trade governance

+ Strong knowledge of U.S. and Canadian import/export regulations; broader global trade exposure preferred

+ Experience managing brokers, third-party providers, and regulatory interactions

+ Demonstrated experience developing policies, procedures, and internal controls

+ Experience supporting audits, investigations, and compliance remediation efforts

+ Industry experience in agriculture, seed, crop protection, manufacturing, or other regulated environments preferred

+ Professional trade certifications (e.g., CCS, CUSECO, LCB) a plus.

** Success Profile*
* The successful candidate will bring strong trade compliance…