Customs Brokerage Manager

About the Company

A growing midsized international freight forwarder is expanding its Customs department in Chicago. With a strong focus on service quality, compliance, and operational excellence, the business is now seeking an experienced Customs Brokerage Manager to oversee its import brokerage operations and drive the next phase of growth.

The Customs Brokerage Manager will lead the day-to-day operations of the import customs brokerage team, ensuring full compliance with CBP regulations while optimizing workflow, service delivery, and client satisfaction. This is a hands‑on leadership role ideal for someone who brings deep technical expertise in U.S. import regulations, strong team management experience, and a forward‑thinking mindset.

• Manage, mentor, and develop a team of Customs Entry Writers and support staff.
• Oversee workload distribution, productivity metrics, and performance management.
• Provide training on regulations, ACE systems, PGA requirements, and classification best practices.

• Ensure full compliance with CBP, Partner Government Agencies (FDA, USDA, TSCA, EPA, etc.), and all applicable regulations.
• Review and approve complex entries, classifications, documentation, and duty calculations.
• Maintain and update SOPs and compliance policies.

• Oversee daily import entry operations from pre‑arrival through final clearance and billing.
• Resolve escalations, documentation issues, holds, exams, and audits.
• Monitor KPIs to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and exceptional client service.
• Act as a subject‑matter expert to key customers, providing guidance on compliance, tariff rulings, PGA requirements, and duty mitigation strategies.
• Support new business onboarding and work closely with sales on customs‑related opportunities.

• Identify operational gaps and implement process improvements to streamline the brokerage function.
• Leverage systems (ACE, ABI, Cargo Wise, etc.) to improve accuracy and efficiency.
• Support digitalization and compliance automation initiatives.

• Active Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) – required.
• 5–10+ years of import customs brokerage experience in a U.S. freight forwarding or brokerage environment.
• Prior experience managing or supervising a customs team.
• Strong working knowledge of HTS classification, valuation, OGA/PGA requirements, Free Trade Agreements, ADD/CVD, and customs audits.
• Proven ability to handle complex commodities and high‑volume environments.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem‑solving skills.
• Proficiency in ACE, ABI, and ideally Cargo Wise or similar TMS.

• Base salary up to $115,000
  , depending on experience.
• Opportunity to lead and shape a growing customs department.
• A stable, expanding midsized forwarder with a strong reputation across the ORD market.
• Career growth, autonomy, and a collaborative leadership culture.

Interested and have the relevant experience please apply today or contact

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

Management