Overview:
The Customs Specialist will be part of the Global Customs & International Trade Compliance organization (GCTC) that is responsible for the company’s customs and trade compliance activity throughout the world. The team focuses on ensuring that the company’s imports and exports are handled in an efficient and legally compliant manner. The overall purpose of this position is to play a crucial role in establishing and overseeing customs and international trade compliance activities for the company’s operations.
Core Responsibilities:
1. Country of Origin and Free Trade Agreements (FTA): Assist with activities for determination of Country of Origin, Free Trade Agreements and related origin requests, including:
- Provide advice, and make determinations, regarding the origin of the articles that Adient imports and exports cross border.
- Work with IT and other groups to obtain required data & information (e.g., MBOM) to support the origin program.
- Help determine the workload of an external service provider that provides origin services – including the management of supplier solicitation and customer responses processes.
- Interface with customers as necessary to review requests/request status.
- Contact and escalate non-responsive suppliers.
- Support customs brokers and external service provider with origin and FTA questions.
- Review & approve origin logic and processes (and any updates thereto).
- Audit origin determinations by the external service provider.
- Audit origin/FTA declared on Adient’s behalf by its customs brokers.
- Identify opportunities and assist business in taking advantage of those opportunities.
2. FTA Reconciliation: Assist with the US Free Trade Agreement Reconciliation program. This involves identifying and quantifying post entry claims, working with external service provider to file timely claims and keep track of refund activity.
3. Audits & Controversies: Assist in managing customs & international trade compliance audits and controversies (penalties, disclosures, judicial or administrative proceedings, etc.) that arise between Adient and the customs authorities in the Americas. This will involve analyzing the facts and circumstances of Adient GCTC’s program considering applicable Customs laws and may require coordination with the Corporate Legal Compliance Department.
4. Internal Controls Program: Implement and maintain a formal internal controls process that can be performed by GCTC in the Americas.
5. Special Projects: Lead special initiatives and projects to increase trade compliance and cost avoidance opportunities.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Report key performance indicators (KPIs) to GCTC leadership.
- Audit/monitor activities of customs brokers/ service providers.
- Assist with responses to US and Canada customs authorities and requests for information.
- Access Adient’s CBP ACE Portal account and run necessary reports.
- Perform data analytics to identify issues, risks and opportunities that may arise.
- Draft and maintain desk procedures and processes for origin, FTA reconciliation, monthly and quarterly audits, and other areas, as required.
- Develop and deploy training and communication updates concerning compliance risk areas, enforcement trends, existing trade laws, regulations and developments in applicable laws and regulations.
- Provide technical advice to local and regional operations, management and senior leadership.
- Partner with regional management and the business on strategic projects.
- Coordinate with other functional partners, such as: Finance, Risk Management, Legal, Tax, Information Systems, Sales, Procurement, Supply Planning, Logistics, etc. to resolve and/or improve related activities.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university required.
- 2 years’ experience in a global trade compliance related, supply chain, manufacturing, data analysis or similar position.
- Advanced experience with Microsoft Office & data analytic tools: Excel, Access, Power BI.
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
- Ability to work with teams, lead projects and work independently.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both oral and written.
- Strong analytical and presentation skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Basic knowledge of origin of goods and preference criteria for US preferential and Free Trade programs, including USMCA, US Goods Returned.
- Basic SAP and QAD/MFGPro knowledge are an advantage.
- US Customs Brokers License (LCB) or trade services background.
- Demonstrated expertise in the subject matter (e.g., laws governing the import and export of goods, classification, valuation, origin, export controls, sanctions, embargoes, etc.).
- Knowledge of regulations of other government agencies outside of US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) that impact cross border trade into/from the United States and Canada.
- Knowledge of EMEA, APAC and other non-U.S. regimes is a plus.
PRIMARY LOCATION
Central Tech Unit Plymouth MI
