Director, Customs Compliance

About Us Centric Brands is a leading lifestyle brand collective that designs, sources, markets and sells high quality products in multiple segments, including women's, men's and kid's apparel, accessories, entertainment and beauty. Centric Brands is focused on our customers and our brands that will drive the company's future growth. We are defined by innovation as we seize new opportunities and thrive in an environment informed by creativity and thinking that is both analytical and outside the box. Centric Brands reflects a team built on respect, for others and for the hard work it takes to achieve our goals and build our bright future together. As one of the world's premier lifestyle brand collectives, we want to ensure that warehouses, factories, retail outlets and on-line retailers all over the world have what they need, when they need it. You'll be part of a team that leverages leading-edge technology - and innovative solutions - to deliver goods and materials on time, on schedule and in great condition. It's a career path the offers non-stop challenges and endless variety - along with the opportunity to learn the business from the best. Specific Responsibilities Would Include Position Summary: The Director, Customs Compliance is responsible for leading and advancing the company's global trade compliance strategy, encompassing import and export operations, duty management, and trade program utilization. This role provides both strategic leadership and operational oversight to ensure compliance with international trade regulations while identifying opportunities for duty savings and process efficiencies. The Director serves as a key advisor to senior leadership and collaborates cross-functionally with Operations, Finance, and Sourcing, as well as externally with customs brokers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and other government agencies. This is a highly collaborative role that requires a consistent on-site presence to effectively lead teams, engage with stakeholders, and drive operational excellence, mitigate risk, and support global supply chain performance. Key Responsibilities: * Lead, develop, and manage the U.S. Customs Compliance team within a matrixed global organization by setting clear priorities, defining performance expectations, and ensuring efficient day-to-day operations, including leading regular on-site team meetings and fostering strong in-person engagement. * Provide coaching, mentorship, and performance management through regular one-on-one interactions, fostering a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team culture. * Provide strategic oversight to ensure compliance with all applicable customs and international trade laws and regulations. Manage relationships with customs authorities, including responding to CBP and other government inquiries, audits, and enforcement actions. * Oversee critical compliance functions, including HTS classification, country of origin determination, customs valuation, reconciliations, FDA requirements, trade preference programs (FTAs), duty drawback, and supply chain security programs such as C-TPAT. * Establish and maintain a robust compliance governance framework, including the development and implementation of policies, procedures, internal controls, and audit programs to proactively identify and mitigate risk. * Drive duty optimization strategies, including validating First Sale programs, analyzing duty spend, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and overseeing internal and external duty drawback programs to ensure timely and accurate filings. * Lead cross-functional collaboration with IT and business stakeholders, leveraging in-person engagement to drive alignment, decision-making, and execution of compliance and automation initiatives, including AI-enabled tools for HTS classification, post-entry audits, and trade agreement validation. * Monitor and interpret global trade regulations, policy changes, customs rulings, and court decisions. Assess impacts and communicate actionable insights to senior leadership and key stakeholders; implement necessary process and operational changes. * Represent the company in external forums, industry associations, and government advocacy efforts to influence trade policy and stay aligned with industry best practices. * Define, track, and report on KPIs to evaluate customs clearance performance, identify gaps, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. Our Best Fit Candidate Would Have Qualifications: * Bachelor's degree (required) in Business, International Trade, Supply Chain, or a related field * Minimum of 15+ years of experience in customs compliance or global trade * 8-10 years of experience in people leadership, with a proven track record of building, developing, and managing high-performing, diverse teams * Licensed Customs Broker strongly preferred * Experience in apparel, accessories, beauty, or jewelry industries preferred * Deep expertise in global customs regulations, laws, and compliance procedures * 5+ years of experience working with U.S. trade programs, including C-TPAT, with an established network of customs brokers, government agencies, and industry stakeholders * Demonstrated experience serving as a subject matter expert and influencing senior leadership while driving cross-functional alignment and continuous improvement * 5+ years of experience leading process automation or digital transformation initiatives within customs compliance * Strong strategic planning, roadmap development, and execution capabilities for complex initiatives * Proven ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving global trade environment * Experience with trade and supply chain systems such as Descartes, SAP, PLM, and Infor Nexus preferred * Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) * Additional language skills are a plus * Ability and willingness to work on-site in Greensboro, NC on a hybrid schedule, with a strong emphasis on in-person leadership, collaboration, and team engagement In return, we provide an industry-competitive salary, along with a comprehensive benefits plan (medical, dental, vision) that includes a matching 401(k), Summer Fridays, generous PTO, merchandise discounts, excellent career development opportunities, and a work environment that reflects our industry leadership. Our social impact program, Centric Cares, focuses on volunteerism to make a difference in communities we live and work in and our D&I committee is shaping the future of diversity, equity and inclusion at Centric Brands though workshops, resources and inspiring conversation. At Centric Brands, we believe our people are our greatest asset, and we seek to structure competitive compensation offers to ensure that we are able to attract and retain the best talent. Our job postings include an annual base salary range at the time of employment. The stated base salary range represents our good faith estimate as to what candidates are likely to expect, and we tailor our offers within the range based on several factors, including the selected candidate's educational and professional experience, industry knowledge, location, technical and communication skills, and other factors that may prove relevant during the selection process. Base salary is a part of a total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include commission earnings, annual bonus and other Centric Brands sponsored benefit programs. Be part of our growing community by getting involved with groups, teams and initiatives like Be Green, Be Giving, and Be Celebrated. Centric Brands is an Equal Opportunity Employer Please note that Centric Brands will only reach out to interview, make an offer of employment or conduct onboarding activities for candidates who have applied through our careers site. When interviewing for a position, the candidate experience will include live interaction, such as a video conference or telephone call, with a Recruiter and/or company employee(s). We will never ask for any money or payments from applicants at any point in the recruitment process. Be aware of suspicious recruitment activity. If you think you are a victim of an employment scam, you may contact your local law enforcement agency and/or visit the Federal Trade Commission website here: #LI-KW1 #LI-Hybrid