Job Description

Team Leader, Foreign Trade

Location: Michigan, USA || South East Michigan

• $100,000 – $140,000 basic
• 20 days annual leave + PTO + ESTA
• Relocation package available
• Full-time, permanent role (40 hours per week)
• Laptop and mobile provided
• 401(k) with employer match + full medical, dental & vision
• Hybrid working: 4 days onsite, 1 day from home

Umbilical Search is delighted to be partnering with a global manufacturing business with a significant North American footprint. The organisation operates multiple sites across the USA and Mexico, supplying high-volume manufacturing operations and managing complex foreign trade flows across the region.

This is a pivotal opportunity for an experienced Foreign Trade professional to take ownership of all customs, tariff, and trade compliance activities across North America. The role carries major strategic importance, directly influencing regional financial performance and shaping the company’s tariff mitigation strategy.

You will lead cross-functional trade initiatives, implement best-practice compliance programmes, navigate changing regulations across the USA, Canada and Mexico, and act as the primary advisor to senior leadership on foreign trade matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead regional customs and foreign trade compliance programmes across the North American region
• Develop, implement and monitor processes that ensure full adherence to trade laws and internal standards
• Oversee Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) operations and related compliance requirements
• Support IMMEX compliance activities in Mexico
• Liaise with customs authorities, brokers and internal stakeholders
• Interpret HTS codes, tariff rules and regulatory changes to support strategic decisions
• Develop and implement tariff mitigation strategies to reduce financial impact
• Prepare and submit PSCs and support cost recovery initiatives using Free Trade Agreements
• Ensure accurate product classification and integrity of SAP data
• Lead cross-functional tariff-related projects (no direct reports)
• Present analysis and updates to regional and international senior leadership
• Provide clear, layman-friendly explanations of complex trade topics to the wider business

About You

• Role Background: Experience in roles such as Export Specialist, Trade Compliance Analyst, Customs Compliance Specialist, Export Control Officer, Foreign Trade Manager or similar
• Sector: Experience from any manufacturing environment with significant international trade flows
• Experienced in foreign trade, customs, import/export, logistics or export control
• Strong knowledge of HTS classification, trade regulations and tariff processes
• Prior experience working with customs brokers, government authorities or FTZ/IMMEX programmes
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business or International Trade is preferred but not essential
• Certifications: CCS or CES strongly preferred
• Excellent communication, able to simplify complex regulatory topics

Why Apply?

This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of a region-wide foreign trade function within a global manufacturing organisation. You will have direct visibility with senior leadership, influence major financial outcomes, and shape compliance and tariff strategy during an unprecedented period of regulatory change.

The role offers long-term career development, with clear pathways into broader Supply Chain, Purchasing or Compliance leadership positions.

How to apply:

Please click “apply” or for further information, please contact Ajay Bhella at Umbilical LLC, alternatively, please email me an up-to-date copy of your CV to ajay@umbilicaladvanced.com

Umbilical LLC is committed to promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. We act as a neutral third party in the recruitment process, basing our candidate searches on skills and experience.

We do not discriminate based on age, gender, sex, relationship status, disability, race, religion/beliefs, or sexual orientation.

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