Trade Compliance Senior Specialist

About the role

Mars is looking for a Trade Compliance Senior Specialist in Cairo who will be the main point of contact for freight forwarders, government agencies, customs brokers and designated Mars affiliates on trade compliance matters. The role covers designing compliance programs, managing relationships with brokers and forwarders, running audits and delivering savings through cost avoidance.

Key responsibilities

• Design and implement the import/export compliance program for the assigned segment or country, including customs regulations, valuation reviews, tariff classification, duty and cost avoidance, security programs (AEO) and training of associates on new trade policies.
• Manage relationships with customs brokers and freight forwarders, collaborate with Mars Commercial on brokerage sourcing and lead periodic broker performance reviews.
• Develop and run processes for FTA programs, Foreign Trade Zones and other duty/cost avoidance initiatives, ensuring eligibility and record retention requirements are met.
• Communicate new requirements to associates through training, newsletters and SOPs, and create and update SOPs and policies to meet world-class compliance standards.
• Conduct complex customs research and analysis, and run annual holistic compliance audits using trade compliance software or manual checks, implementing corrective actions.
• Determine HTS classification, maintain the classification database and provide analytics and reporting on compliance activities.
• Act as compliance liaison to government authorities for customs issues, possibly signing customs documents, and resolve trade compliance issues and risks.

Required profile

• Specialized, advanced knowledge of trade and customs compliance regulations for the MEA region.
• Preferred: broker's license, law degree, or degree/certificate in compliance, international logistics, customs work or international studies.
• Minimum 6-7 years of progressive experience in complex CPG, legal or consulting environments.

Required skills

• Proficiency with trade authorities in the MEA region and with compliance software and SAP.
• Knowledge of strategic trade programs such as duty drawback and free trade agreements.
• Ability to work independently, make sound decisions and deal with ambiguity.