Lead Customs Specialist

Department: Operations

Location: US-California-San Jose

Compensation: $110,200 - $151,500 / year

The Customs Specialist supports customs operations execution across the Americas, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely import, export, and in bond activities within a highly regulated medical device supply chain. This role is a senior individual contributor, applying experience and judgment to resolve complex customs issues, support broker interactions, and ensure high quality customs data and documentation. The Customs Specialist works closely with Logistics, Trade Compliance, Finance, and external customs brokers to support on time delivery, cost control, and regulatory compliance.

The role is responsible for execution and problem resolution within assigned scope. Trade Compliance retains accountability for policy interpretation, regulatory strategy, and engagement with authorities.

• Execute and support import, export, and in bond customs activities across the Americas.
• Prepare, review, and validate customs documentation and data to support accurate and timely clearance.
• Monitor shipments for customs exceptions, holds, or inspections and take action to support resolution.
• Support multi leg parcel shipments and coordination with carriers and customs brokers.
• Apply sound judgment to resolve complex or ambiguous customs issues within established procedures.

• Work directly with customs brokers to ensure accurate filings and adherence to established procedures.
• Identify filing errors, data quality issues, and recurring trends; support corrective actions.
• Escalate recurring issues, systemic risks, or potential compliance concerns to the Sr. Manager, Logistics Americas.
• Support broker performance improvement initiatives led by management.

• Execute customs activities in compliance with customs, tax, and trade regulations.
• Apply established operational controls for classification, valuation, country of origin, and record retention.
• Support internal and external audits, post entry reviews, and customs inquiries.
• Follow sanctions screening, licensing, and regulatory requirements as directed by Trade Compliance.

• Use SAP / S/4
  
  HANA, customs broker platforms, and carrier systems to support customs execution.
• Maintain accurate customs data, documentation, and records in accordance with policy and audit requirements.
• Support testing and validation of system or process changes impacting customs filings or documentation.
• Use reports and data to identify discrepancies, trends, and improvement opportunities.

• Support monitoring of duty, tax, and brokerage costs; assist with variance analysis.
• Assist with FTA / USMCA documentation and preferential duty utilization where applicable.
• Help prevent rework, post entry corrections, penalties, and double duty exposure through accurate execution.

• Identify opportunities to improve customs processes, accuracy, and cycle times.
• Apply structured problem solving to resolve recurring customs issues.
• Demonstrate curiosity and openness to AI and digital tools to improve efficiency, accuracy, and data quality (e.g., reducing manual reviews, identifying error patterns).
• Share improvement ideas and best practices with the broader logistics and trade team.

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, International Trade, Logistics, or a related field.

• Typically, 7+ years of hands on customs operations experience with demonstrated ability to resolve complex, ambiguous customs issues independently.
• Experience working with customs brokers, carriers, and cross functional partners.
• Experience in regulated industries (medical devices, manufacturing, pharma) preferred.

• Working knowledge of SAP / S/4
  
  HANA and customs broker platforms.
• Strong Excel, data review, and documentation skills.

• Fluent in English (written and spoken); additional languages a plus.

If provided, base salary or wage rate ranges are the range in which Align reasonably expects to set a…