Sr Manager Global Customs Lam

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

Are you passionate about navigating the intricate world of global trade? Join Global Customs, where you will dive into the dynamic realm of customs regulations across Latin America (LAM), ensuring our products flow seamlessly across borders. Take the lead in optimizing our international supply chain while safeguarding our brand’s global footprint. 

LAM is a diverse and dynamic region covering seven countries: Mexico, Panama, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, with the Regional Hub located in Panama. Home to a team of rebellious optimists who bring a wealth of experience from diverse backgrounds, LAM plays a critical role in driving growth, adapting global strategies to local market needs, and fostering strong cross-functional collaboration. This role contributes to shaping regional strategy and market execution. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Support and manage customs and SCM related projects as defined by Global Customs and  and LAM SCM.

• Regional role, supporting customs compliance programs and activities that ensure compliance with customs requirements and timely customs clearance.

• Work closely with the subject leads (classification, valuation, and preference) in Global Customs to understand the global initiatives and incorporate them in Markets KPI and compliance monitoring. 

• Create and review regional customs operations to ensure cross-border processes and procedures are effective, duty-optimum, compliant, and documented.

• Support regional management of external customs brokers focussing on compliance and performance of service providers.

• Ensure Customs market team members have the appropriate training and technical knowledge of the best practice in their areas.

• Keep abreast of legislation changes that could impact adidas, positively or negatively, and support lobbying efforts in consultation with Global Government Affairs.

Key Relationships: 

• LAM SCM Senior Management

• SCM – LAM and Global Teams

• Finance & GBS 

• Group Taxes

• Group Legal & Compliance

• Government Affairs

• Non-Trade Procurement

• Global IT & external software providers

• Customs brokers and service providers

• Official authorities

• External consultants / advisors

Knowledge, Capabilities and Skills:

• Import/Export Procedures: Familiarity with import and export procedures, including customs clearance processes, licensing requirements, and preferential trade programs.

• Trade Compliance Auditing: Ability to conduct internal audits to assess trade compliance processes, identify areas for improvement, and ensure adherence to regulatory requirements.

• Global and Regional Business Alignment: Demonstrated ability to align local customs and trade practices with overarching global and regional business goals, and strategies.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills, and experience collaborating with diverse internal stakeholders to ensure alignment on trade compliance strategies and initiatives.

• Communication Skills: Effective verbal and written communication skills, and cultural sensitivity to interact with customs authorities, external vendors, and internal teams.

• Problem-solving Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to resolve customs and trade compliance issues efficiently and mitigate potential risks to the business.

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail to ensure accuracy in customs documentation, and compliance processes.

• Continuous Learning and Adaptability: Ability to stay updated on changes in customs regulations, trade policies, and industry best practices, and adapt compliance processes accordingly.

• Planning and Organizational Skills: Demonstrated track record of delivering results in dynamic environments while adhering to specified internal and external deadlines.

• Influencing & Change Management: Proactive mindset with the ability to influence stakeholders, resolve conflicts, and drive change effectively in a fast-paced and evolving environment.

Qualifications: 

• Fluency in English and Spanish, written and spoken.

• Minimum 6+ years of relevant work experience in multinational environment, ideally in the Sporting Goods/Retail/eCommerce/FMCG industries.

• College or university degree, or equivalent combination of education & experience.

• Excellent MS Office skills.

• Knowledge of adidas based software a benefit (e.g., SAP S/4HANA, InforNexus).