Customs Manager

Reports to: Director of Operational Execution (based in Kingsville)

Based at: Mucci Pac Ltd., Kingsville, ON

Type of Employment: Full-Time, permanent, 6-days a week; and some additional hours which may include Saturdays, depending on workload and priorities.

Mucci Farms is a leader in the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) industry, specializing in greenhouse-grown produce with a strong commitment to sustainability, innovation, and quality. We take pride in our products, service and high standards of compliance. We often exceed regulatory requirements with an eye to be compliant before new regulations are introduced. We constantly have our eye on processes and systems that can grow with us.

Job Description:

As the Customs Manager you will be responsible for leading a dynamic team in a fast-paced environment. The opportunity to develop, mentor, coach and share in the success of direct report staff and work with corporate level staff to keep ahead of impending regulations relative to the international movement of fresh produce. Working in a fast-paced environment while ensuring high level regulatory compliance is essential to the success of Mucci Farms.

Leading a team to success is essential in this role, as the operations run 24/7/365 and grow significantly each year.

Job Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• To lead, streamline, assess and affect inbound & outbound Grower and Purchase Product clearances for successful Operational Execution, both continental and intercontinental
• To support technological innovation and Subject Matter Expertise for the areas supported by Customs
• Support audits: CBP, CBSA, FDA, APICS and other 3rd party audit requests
• Hire, terminate, develop, retain and refine direct report staff to ensure efficient internal customer service levels are attained in a 24/7/363 environment
• This role function is to maximize product movement while allowing Operations to execute customer orders. Influencing expediency and execution of operational delivery
• Intimate and current knowledge of all applicable customs controls pertaining to produce and packaging related items
• Liaise with Mucci operations across North America as needed to coordinate import / export requirements for those locations
• Maintaining relationships with and management of external Customs Broker relationships including selecting, hiring and terminating partnerships with external vendors
• Providing real time feedback on any discrepancies, changes or alterations to schedule related to Customs processing
• Maintaining, initiating and balancing base accounting for the transactions being handled by the direct Customs team
• Navigating any applicable permitting, annual certification and licensing required as a shipper of fresh, living produce
• Liaise with Purchasing and Procurement when inbound quality, count or schedule of inbound international shipments. Address and correct at root with Procurement / Purchasing
• Providing Peer level guidance to Production and Commodity Inventory Managers on incoming / arrived product status and any deviations that may need to be considered
• Providing Procurement and Purchasing with actionable metrics with which to manage grower / supplier accountability on margins.
• Escalating grower quality concerns affecting operations and working with procurement / purchasing
• Maintaining adequate staffing to reduce costs while maintaining internal service standards

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or equivalent education/experience in international distribution or related field
• Minimum CCS with 3+ years of supervisory experience in operations/distribution or related business
• Previous supervisory or leadership experience is required
• Ability to influence those that are not direct reports
• Proven ability to communicate in a clear and concise manner to all levels of the organization
• Outstanding organization skills and attention to detain
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Occasional need to travel to OH, MI. Day Travel,