Trade Compliance Program Manager (Chicago)

Based in: Chicago, IL or Memphis, TN

What if you owned the trade compliance programme for an entire business?

We’re supporting a global industrial manufacturing and technology organisation operating across multiple international markets, with products spanning electric motors, automation and engineered solutions.

They’re looking for a Trade Compliance Program Manager to take ownership of trade compliance for one of their U.S. businesses, working closely with Procurement, Logistics, Finance, Engineering, Customer Service and Operations.

What will you actually be doing?

You’ll be the go-to person for trade compliance , balancing regulatory requirements with the reality of running a business.

Your world will include:

• Import & export compliance across HTS, ECCN, Schedule B, valuation and country of origin
• FTAs, tariffs, AD/CVD and Section 301
• Denied-party screening and sanctions-related processes
• Trade compliance audits, controls and remediation
• Customs broker management and performance
• Regulatory enquiries and government audits, including CBP and BIS
• Building policies, procedures and training that people actually use
• Working with the corporate Trade Compliance team on governance, risk and controls
• Monitoring regulatory changes and turning them into practical business decisions

You’ll also have the opportunity to improve systems and processes across the business, using tools such as ACE, SAP/GTS, e2open, Descartes, Integration Point and Excel .

What we’re looking for

• 5+ years in Trade Compliance, Customs, Logistics Compliance or a related field
• Strong knowledge of U.S. import/export regulations
• Hands-on experience with classifications, valuation, origin, FTAs and tariffs
• Experience with audits, broker management and compliance programmes
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Comfortable influencing stakeholders across a matrix organisation
• Experience dealing with government enquiries or enforcement matters
• U.S. residency required

Why this role?

Because you won't be sitting on the sidelines.

You’ll have real ownership of the programme , direct exposure to the business and the opportunity to shape how trade compliance works across an international manufacturing environment.

If you’re the person everyone calls when something gets stuck at customs, a regulation changes, or nobody knows what the right answer is - this might be your next move.

If you're curious to learn more, feel free to get in touch directly ( ) even if your CV isn't fully up to date. We'd be happy to have a confidential conversation .

The Leonid Group is an international, specialist search and consultancy firm focused on corporate governance and professional services, that specialises in the placement of Legal, Compliance, Trade Compliance & Ethics professionals on an international scale across the Americas, EMEA and APAC. Legal and compliance are both global, with teams worldwide, and our network reflects this. We work with multinational corporations to help structure their departments with the best people, from the Global Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel to the Compliance Analyst and Trade Compliance Specialist .