Sr. Customs Specialist

JOB DESCRIPTION

Overview:

The successful candidate will be part of the Global Customs & Trade Compliance (GCTC) organization that is responsible for the company's customs and trade compliance activity throughout the world. The team focuses on ensuring the company's imports and exports are handled efficiently and legally compliantly. This position's overall purpose is to play a crucial role in establishing and overseeing customs and international trade compliance activities for the company's operations.

Core Responsibilities:

Tariff Classification: Manage the U.S. and Canadian tariff classification activity:

• Provide advice, and make determinations, regarding the classification of the articles that Adient imports and exports under the Harmonized System (and other laws) for the U.S. and Canada.
• Determine and manage special tariffs applied to Adient's imports - Section 232, Section 301, ADD/CVD, etc.
• Coordinate and oversee the workload of an external service provider that provides tariff classification services.
• Review & Approve classification decision trees (and keep updated).
• Audit classification determinations by the external service provider.
• Audit classifications declared on Adient's behalf by its customs brokers.
• Identify opportunities and assist local entities in taking advantage of those opportunities.
• Manage post summary correction activity and coordinate filings with approved customs brokers.
• Review current and submit binding rulings, as required.

Data Analytics and KPIs: Perform required customs data analysis and maintain databases:

• Obtain required Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and customs broker reports each month.
• Maintain Access databases (queries and tables).
• Develop and manage standardized and repeatable processes for gathering and interpreting complex datasets from multiple sources.
• Perform tooling reviews and cost paid analyses to determine additional value/duty owed.
• Coordinate and oversee the workload of an external service provider that provides Value Reconciliation filing services.
• Develop Power BI reports and other visualization tools.
• Review & Approve data related work instructions (and keep updated).
• Develop Power BI reports and other visualization tools.

Customs Valuation and Value Reconciliation: Oversee the U.S. Customs Value Reconciliation activity:

• Provide advice, and make determinations, regarding the valuation of the articles that Adient imports and exports into the U.S. and Canada.
• Prepare U.S. import data universe (ACE and customs broker data) for the annual reconciliation project.
• Perform tooling reviews and cost paid analyses to determine additional value/duty owed.
• Coordinate and oversee the workload of an external service provider that provides Value Reconciliation filing services.
• Review & Approve valuation reconciliation work instructions (and keep updated).
• Audit values declared on Adient's behalf by its customs brokers.
• Identify opportunities and assist local entities in taking advantage of those opportunities.

Audits & Controversies: Assist in the handling of customs & international trade compliance audits and controversies (penalties, disclosures, judicial or administrative proceedings, etc.) that arise between Adient and the customs authorities in the Americas. This will involve analyzing the facts and circumstances of Adient GCTC's program considering applicable Customs laws and may require coordination with Corporate Compliance and the Legal Department.

Special Projects: Lead special initiatives and projects to increase trade compliance and cost avoidance opportunities (e.g., Authorized Economic Operator, tariff exclusions, or other special importer status programs).

Additional Responsibilities:

• Participate in annual planning and budgeting for duty expenses
• Provide reviews and impacts of various trade related actions as needed
• Develop and maintain internal controls and procedures
• Audit/monitor activities of Adient's personnel and its agents/ service providers.
• Perform data analytics to identify issues, risks and opportunities that may arise.
• Develop and deploy training and communication updates concerning compliance risk areas, enforcement trends, existing trade laws, regulations and developments in applicable laws and regulations.
• Oversee implementation and operation of information technology solutions.
• Provide technical advice to local and regional operations, management, and senior leadership.
• Partner with regional management and the business on Strategic projects.
• Coordinate with other functional partners, such as: Commercial, Finance, Risk Management, Legal Counsel, Tax, Information Systems, Procurement, Supply Planning, Logistics, etc. to resolve and/or improve related activities.
• Perform customs & trade related projects, as needed.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university required.
• 4 years' experience in a global trade compliance related position.
• Demonstrated expertise in the subject matter (e.g., laws governing the import and export of goods, export controls, sanctions, embargoes, etc.).
• Demonstrated expertise in applying tariff classifications to Antidumping/Countervailing Duty cases, and Free Trade Agreement eligibility.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Access, Excel, and Power BI.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, critical thinking, presentation skills and attention to detail
• Knowledge of regulations of government agencies other than Customs & Border Protection that impact cross border trade in the United States.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Ability to work within teams and independently with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications:

• U.S. Customs Brokers License (LCB) preferred.
• Legal or paralegal background preferred.
• Knowledge of EU (European Union), APAC and other non-U.S. regimes is a plus.

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