Manager Customs

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

Lead customs operations in Colombia to ensure compliance, product availability, and efficient cross-border trade, while optimizing costs, mitigating risks, and supporting business growth.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Customs Strategy & Risk Management:

• Develop and implement the market customs strategy aligned with business growth plans, supply chain objectives, and global customs governance requirements.
• Assess regulatory changes and proactively define mitigation plans to minimize business disruption and compliance risks.
• Monitor inbound shipments and customs activities to ensure timely product availability and alignment with business priorities.
• Ensure the accuracy, completeness, timely submission, and proper retention of import and export documentation in accordance with customs regulations and company requirements.
• Supervise customs clearance processes to ensure on-time release of goods and delivery to the distribution center.
• Monitor customs valuation, tariff classification, and origin determination processes to ensure compliance and duty optimization.
• Develop and communicate customs performance reports, providing visibility of operational performance, risks, and opportunities to key stakeholders.
• Ensure the implementation and maintenance of customs controls and internal governance processes.

2. Stakeholder & Authority Management

• Build and maintain effective relationships with customs authorities, government agencies, trade associations, and key external stakeholders to support compliant and efficient trade operations.
• Partner with Global Customs, Supply Chain, Tax, Legal, Finance, and Commercial teams to support business objectives and ensure effective customs governance.
• Ensure compliance with local customs regulations, trade requirements, and adidas global policies.
• Support and manage customs audits, and customs authority inquiries.
• Coordinate customs brokers and other service providers according to business priorities and operational requirements.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to evaluate customs broker performance, customs lead times, compliance, and service quality.

3. Team Leadership & Capability Development

• Lead, coach, and develop the Customs team, ensuring appropriate capabilities, succession planning, and a culture of compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance customs processes, reduce clearance lead times, increase visibility, and improve operational efficiency.

4. Financial Accountability

• Manage and control the customs operations budget, ensuring effective cost management and identification of savings opportunities.
• Coordinate with Accounting, Finance, and Treasury teams to ensure the timely payment of duties, taxes, and customs-related costs.
• Identify and implement opportunities to optimize duty costs and maximize the utilization of applicable Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

5. Trade Compliance Governance

• Ensure the effectiveness of customs compliance programs through periodic controls, self-assessment, monitoring activities, and corrective action plans.
• Identify customs compliance risks and implement appropriate corrective and preventive measures.
• Ensure compliance with local labeling requirements and other import regulatory requirements applicable to products.
• Maintain and oversee the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certification, including recertifications, compliance monitoring, and implementation of required controls.

6. Business Continuity and Continuous improvement

• Develop contingency plans and coordinate response actions to customs disruptions, regulatory changes, port congestion, or other events impacting product availability.
• Support automation and digitalization initiatives related to customs and trade compliance processes.

Key Relationships:

• Purchasing, Global Customs, Internal Control, Order Fulfilment, Accounting, Sales, Demand Planning, Customer Service, Finance.
• Forwarder and Logistic partners, Customs Brokers.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• University degree in International Trade, Logistics, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or related field.
• Strong knowledge of Customs regulations, Trade Compliance, Customs Valuation, Tariff Classification, and Rules of Origin.
• Fluent English (written and spoken).
• Customer-oriented and business mindset.
• Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management.
• Leadership and team development.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Continuous improvement and process optimization mindset.
• Experience identifying automation and digitalization opportunities to improve efficiency and control.
• Ability to leverage data and AI tools to support decision-making and productivity.
• Strong focus on cost optimization and identification of savings opportunities.
• Planning, organization, and prioritization skills.
• Strong communication and influencing skills.
• Ownership, accountability, and action-oriented mindset.
• Adaptability and openness to change.

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• 5 years experience
• Minimum 1 year informal management experience required