Licensed Customs Broker/ Operations Manager (Laredo, TX) at Confidential company

Role is to perform managerial responsibilities for a team of import account managers and provide proper management and oversight for customs brokerage clients. Individual will provide responsible supervision and control over department team members, ensuring regulatory compliance in all required facets.

Strong understanding of most important and fundamental U.S. Customs regulations, obligations and time reporting requirements is required for the position. It is vital that the person is well experienced in the U.S. Customs Brokerage industry with diverse knowledge and expertise on wide scope of U.S. Customs matters, including but not limited to entries, inbonds, EEI transactions, FDA/USDA matters, 9801/9802 Provisions and HTS Classification. Solid understanding of FDA, USDA and other basic PGA reporting requirements and message sets is needed.

Position’s Responsibilities

1. Manage department’s activities, providing effective and diligent oversight of all areas within department
2. Manage direct reports within Operations department, monitoring their activities and performance to ensure compliance
3. Ensure continuous compliance with all U.S. Customs and PGA regulations.
4. Perform problem analysis and offer/ implement well considered solution approaches to effectively resolve issues and problems
5. Determine new work procedures and protocols, when needed
6. Review existing department’s processes, identifying potential weaknesses and vulnerabilities
7. Develop lean procedures and improved processes to create better operational effectiveness
8. Create and update department and client SOPs, ensuring necessary training of such to direct reports, to ensure compliance
9. Perform proactive daily action to ensure work flow of shipments is properly managed and within target response times
10. Timely assistance with client’s inquiries and consultations, via phone calls and emails. Respond within one hour; more critical issues require faster response times.
11. Respond with empathy and sense of urgency to critical and time sensitive issues.
12. Process entries and inbonds as needed for specialized accounts, when a direct report is out on PTO/ absent, and when shipment volume is higher than normal.
13. Assign and delegate transactions and tasks to department members, as needed
14. Build and promote team capabilities and cross training within the department
15. Perform certain audits on transactions

Core Skills, Competencies & Requirements

• Customs Brokerage License required.
• Fluent in English & Spanish (verbal & written)
• Minimum of 8+ years working in U.S. Customs Brokerage industry
• College degree preferred but not required
• Good command of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel
• Willing to work overtime hours when needed
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal
• Outstanding customer service skills and rapport with clients
• Possess attention to detail
• Very organized
• Effective time management skills, with ability to prioritize tasks accordingly
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to analyze and effectively solve problems
• Ability to work in a high pressure environment
• Self-motivated with self-initiative
• Possess Integrity, Reliability and Energy

Salary & Benefits

• Great Compensation, based on level of experience
• 401(k) & Profit Sharing Plan
• Generous PTO Plan

Other Responsibilities

• Provide for back-up in case of employee absence, if necessary, performing the work directly.
• Review and conduct staff performance reviews for your direct reports
• Perform other duties as assigned by the local Customs Manager.
• Plan for and hold effective weekly department meetings with team.
• Self-initiative by taking on increasing responsibility
• Escalate unresolved issues or risks before they materially impact the company.

Experience

• U.S. Customs Brokerage: 8 years (Required)

Job Type
Full-time, Approx. 50 hrs. per week

Schedule

• 10 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Overtime
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person