Corporate Trade Compliance Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

Our purpose is to make a difference in the world by reducing carbon emissions and improving access to clean energy with every module we make.

At Silfab Solar, the energy of our people is the power behind our success. Our employees actively shape the solar innovations of tomorrow, while adhering to the highest ethical operating standards and promoting a respectful and safe workplace for our diverse workforce.

Silfab Solar is the North American leader in the design, development, and manufacture of high-efficiency, premium quality solar cells and solar modules. Silfab leverages more than 40 years of solar experience and best-in-class technologies operating state-of-the-art facilities in Burlington, Washington, Fort Mill, South Carolina, and corporate headquarters in Toronto, Canada. Each operating facility features multiple automated production lines, certified to the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System standard, and just-in-time manufacturing to deliver Buy American approved PV modules specifically designed for and dedicated to the North American market.

We are committed to investing in our employees, providing a dynamic and supportive environment for learning and professional growth. We offer competitive pay, generous benefits, and opportunities for advancement, but more importantly, we offer you the ability to make a real difference in the world.

Summary of Functions:

The Corporate Trade Compliance Manager is key in ensuring that Trade Compliance policies, procedures, and other requirements for Silfab products are adhered to and followed. This includes supporting day-to-day export and import activities, while ensuring the accuracy and completeness of trade compliance documents and data.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identify and action discrepancies in documentation associated with the Customs clearance of imported and exported goods.
• Verify accuracy of, prepare and process brokerage invoices for payment for Accounts Payable
• Liaise and communicate between customs brokers, service providers, government agencies and Silfab locations to provide Trade Compliance support; resolve issues, concerns, and questions as they arise.
• Identify inefficiencies and problem solve for long-term solutions in Trade Compliance processes.
• Uphold and promote required trade compliance as set out by CBSA, CBP as well as other foreign Customs Authorities and government agencies regulations as required.
• Lead the development and implementation of the company's import compliance program in line with trade, solar, and contracting regulations.
• Assist import activities in managing import licenses, agreements, commodity jurisdictions, product classifications, and exemptions/exceptions for international business activities.
• Partner with cross-functional teams, including engineering, sales, and supply chain, to ensure a cohesive import compliance posture.
• Well understood import regulations and from there to develop a training program and conduct in-depth training and briefing sessions to raise awareness and understanding of import regulations and their impact across the company.
• Design and lead audit programs to identify potential areas of compliance vulnerability and risk; develop and implement corrective action plans for resolution.
• Serve as the key compliance contact for government audits and inquiries related to export activities; lead responses to governmental inquiries and investigations concerning compliance matters.
• Maintain updated knowledge of changes to import control laws and regulations, monitor regulatory reforms, and advise on their impact on company operations.
• Reducing legal risks and ensuring regulatory compliance. Partners with external legal teams as needed.
• Understand and communicate standard operating procedures to all business units; update according to changes in regulations.
• Manage, review and action inquiries and questions; assist in ensuring trade compliance is achieved at high level within import, export, and supply chain security processes
• Database management: create new parts, update and/or replace existing parts, maintain the import database on a short-term and long-term basis; update USMCA/CUSMA data; anti-dumping and countervailing duty data; OGD data
• Analyze export documentation that is supplied to (Company’s) locations for discrepancies and advise of required revisions prior to shipping and/or customs entry
• Review Canadian and US brokerage billing invoices for accuracy; request post entry adjustments where required; supply supporting documentation and information to substantiate duty refunds and payments
• Communicate effectively with brokers, carriers, service providers, CBSA, CBP via email, telephone, fax, mail and in-person.
• Support customs broker with issues; missing or incomplete documentation must be addressed for release on go-forward basis; clarify accounts; provide classification as needed; respond to general inquiries; review broker for accuracy, clearance delays (resolve and escalate where required)
• Assist in month-end / year-end procedures; organize, analyze data; allocate and process payment of duty and tax to Receiver General of Canada
• Review controlled exports for potential required authorization: apply for export permits and export licenses; collaborate with business unit to obtain information and documentation required per export control regulations
• Ensure ISO 9000 Policies/Procedures are followed

• A minimum of 8 years of experience in trade compliance within a relevant industry, solar industry experience is preferred
• Trade compliance / Customs (CBSA) diploma or any other post-secondary certificate

Skills/Traits:

• High technical aptitude, with a strong understanding in Microsoft Office, specifically Excel
• High attention to detail
• Excellent time management and communication skills
• Maneuvering through complex policy, process and people

Compensation and Benefits

• Paid Time Off (vacation, sick, and holiday) 
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Plans
• Health Savings Account option
• Supplemental/Voluntary Insurance Plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program 
• Home office and flexible working schedule