The Global Trade Compliance Manager is a leadership role in the setting, management and control of all guidelines; policies and activities associated with the import and export of goods across any international border. The Manager, Global Trade Compliance, is responsible for developing and administering all programs involving the receipt of imported materials and shipment of merchandise for export in a manner consistent with Bunzl policies, Government regulations, and applicable laws.
The role supports import activities across multiple countries and export operations to numerous global markets. The position operates in a balanced strategic and operational capacity, partnering closely with various departments within the business to develop policies and procedures to minimize trade compliance risk and associated costs while facilitating international opportunities to grow revenue and improve margin.
This role is hybrid based in Morton Grove, IL or Maple Grove, MN. Open to local candidates.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Compliance Oversight: Provide oversight and coordination of import and export functions to ensure strict compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies across global operations.
Government Interface: Serve as a designated representative for interface with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Census), Corporate Trade Compliance, internal legal counsel, and other regulatory agencies.
Program Ownership: Develop, implement, and maintain trade compliance programs, policies, and procedures aligned with corporate standards and business unit requirements.
Team Leadership: Manage and oversee Global Trade Compliance activities, providing daily and strategic direction to the team while ensuring effective prioritization, resource alignment, and execution
Operational Execution & Risk Management: Ensure consistent execution of import and export processes, including issue resolution, audit support, and response to government inquiries, with emphasis on compliance accuracy, audit readiness, and regulatory risk mitigation, including AD/CVD considerations.
Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborate with cross-functional partners (Operations, Logistics, Procurement, Finance, Customer Experience & IT) to mitigate risk, support operational performance, and align trade compliance with business objectives, including new business onboarding and network changes.
Technical Advisory: Provide guidance to internal stakeholders and customers on trade compliance requirements, regulatory changes, classification, valuation, and country of origin determinations, including coordination of responses to audits and regulatory inquiries.
Compliance Infrastructure: Maintain import/export compliance infrastructure, including documentation, training programs, and supporting databases, to ensure consistent execution and regulatory adherence.
Systems & Data Integration: Collaborate with IT and business stakeholders to improve data quality, resolve system gaps, and enhance compliance processes across ERP (JDE/AS400), WMS (Koerber), TMS, and GTM integrations supporting export operations.
Continuous Improvement: Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including expansion of import audit programs, customs broker management, and strengthening cross-functional partnerships improve compliance outcomes and upstream data integrity.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
REQUIREMENTS
- BS/BA degree or equivalent experience required.
- Minimum of 5 years of trade compliance experience including global experience.
- Licensed Customs Brokers are strongly preferred.
- WMS and Logistics experience is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to determine Harmonized Tariff Schedule classifications, ECCN numbers, and Country of Origin.
- Knowledge of regulatory risk areas including AD/CVD considerations and multi-country compliance requirements.
- Intermediate computer literacy and knowledge of software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio; PowerBI, JDE A/S 400 ERP system.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Detailed and Analytical.
- Strong written and verbal communication
- Well-developed organizational, priority management and planning skills.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with ability to collaborate across functions and levels.
- Proven problem solving and decision-making skills
- Strong leadership skills
- Action oriented; drive for results; customer-focused
- Proven ability to deal with ambiguous environment
- Extensive import and export experience.
- Knowledge of global export control regimes and requirements, product classification and documentation requirements.
The salary range for this role is $85K-$135K based on education, experience, and geographic location.
The perks of being a Bunzl team member don’t stop at being part of a great team or being valued as our #1 asset. We offer a full range of benefits to help our employees take care of themselves and their families today, tomorrow and for the future.
- Medical, Dental & Vision Benefits effective the 1st day of the month after 30 days
- Paid Time Off - Vacation, Sick, Holidays and Personal Time
- 401K with generous company match
- Additional benefit information can be found on the Bunzl Careers home page under Benefits and Perks.
Bunzl is a global leader in the Cleaning & Hygiene, Food Processing, Grocery, Health Care, Non‑Food Retail, and Safety industries. We have grown both organically and through acquisitions to exceed $10 billion in sales. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Bunzl North America operates more than 100 warehouses and serves all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, and parts of the Caribbean and Mexico. With more than 10,000 team members and over 400,000 supplies, Bunzl is recognized as a leading supplier across North America—and proudly certified as a Great Place to Work®. At Bunzl, you’ll find Unlimited Potential… your career, our future.
Bunzl Distribution offers competitive salaries, a comfortable work environment, and a full range of benefits including a 401k with a company match.
Bunzl Distribution has a tradition of commitment to equal employment opportunity. It is the established policy to attract and retain the best qualified people without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex/gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, age, disability or veteran status as provided by law.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
