Global Trade Compliance Manager

As the largest pureplay adhesives company in the world, H.B. Fuller’s (NYSE: FUL) innovative, functional coatings, adhesives and sealants enhance the quality, safety and performance of products people use every day. Founded in 1887, with 2023 revenue of $3.5 billion, our mission to Connect What Matters is brought to life by more than 7,000 global team members who collaborate with customers across more than 30 market segments in over 140 countries to develop highly specified solutions that enable customers to bring world-changing innovations to their end markets.

Position: Global Trade Compliance Manager

Location: Mindelo, Vila do Conde, Portugal - Hybrid

Position Overview:

The Trade Compliance Manager will leverage past experience and expertise and relations with appropriate government regulatory agencies to provide practical guidance in the application of customs and related international regulations across the multiple countries where H.B. Fuller does business. The position works collaboratively with supply chain, logistics, procurement, customer service, regulatory, legal, finance/tax, and business operations. This role will execute on a broad range of short, medium, and long-term projects aimed at developing and managing a comprehensive export/import control infrastructure to ensure compliance with all regional regulations (NA, EU/UK, IMEA, LATAM, APAC).

Primary Responsibilities:

• Implement trade compliance initiatives including identification, creation and deployment of new import/export processes across regions, relative to key workstreams (i.e., compliant customs clearance declarations, trade sanctions, free trade claims, returned goods, trade compliance record keeping).
• Maintain awareness of changing laws, regulations and current industry movements and provide timely, accurate and useful written and spoken analysis regarding applicable issues of potential impact.
• Respond to stakeholder inquiries and support international transactions by providing regulatory and policy and interpretations relative to import and export compliance procedures, documentation, and business processes.
• Conduct stakeholder training and prepare appropriate guidance documentation.
• Confirm alignment between business operations and applicable legal requirements to meet and maintain high performance levels for import/export transactions.
• Manage external regulatory audits, resolve discrepancies, and request corrective action with customs administrative entry submission as appropriate.
• Perform internal risk evaluations and create methods to address identified risks including executing an audit plan and monitoring import / export entry transactions.
• Lead the vetting, adoption, and implementation of global trade management software.
• Engage in data mining and data analytics efforts to identify global trade compliance metrics and trends and generating performance and other key metrics for export and import processes.
• Assist with M&A due diligence.
• Facilitate sanctions and restricted party screening compliance.

Minimum Requirements:

• BS/BA in any related fields of Supply Chain/Logistics, International Trade, Economics, Auditing or Business (equivalent experience will be considered)
• 7+ years of direct experience with customs and trade compliance in EMEA Region
• 3+ years of direct experience handling Customs import / export clearance operations and escalations in EMEA Region.
• Solid knowledge of international rules that affect foreign trade (i.e., valuation, tariff classification, origin, FTA utilization, Incoterms, export controls, sanctions, VAT impacts, record keeping).
• Demonstrated hands-on expertise in applying EU/UK import/ export requirements
• Familiarity with, and an ability to master knowledge of, import/ export rules in other geographies
• Be analytically minded, with exceptional problem-solving skill and ability to deal with ambiguity.
• Proven ability to write and speak understandably, efficiently and with influence. 
• Exercises initiative in implementing programs and making recommendations to senior colleagues.
• Highly organized with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Fosters an environment based on integrity and high ethical standards.
• Demonstrated strength in coaching and developing direct reports and promoting a collaborative work environment.
• Earns trust and respect of others by mentoring, inspiring, and empowering teams of people to achieve strategic objectives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Multiple language abilities are highly desired.
• Experience with project management is helpful.
• Prior government/regulatory agency experience is a plus.
• Customs Brokerage License is a plus.
• Experience using data-driven process improvement tools and metrics.

H.B. Fuller is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and proud to have created a collaborative culture where employees around the world are seen, heard, and respected. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or marital status or status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected classification.

H.B. Fuller does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms. To conduct business with H.B. Fuller, a written service agreement must be executed by Human Resources prior to submitting any information relating to a potential candidate. Without a signed service agreement, H.B. Fuller shall not be obligated for payment of any fee or compensation.