Branch Manager

The MIA Branch Manager is a top-level manager responsible for overseeing business operations in a specific branch. The Branch Manager communicates the mission of the company and works with the staff in their office to set and achieve goals.

The Branch Manager oversees and provides guidance to the personnel that report to them. They coordinate with all necessary upper management to discuss business progress and create strategies to accomplish the company's goals. The Branch Manager routinely meets with staff to assess performance and progress, creating action plans for resolving negative issues and advising staff on continuous improvement.

The Branch Manager is responsible for managing resources and staff, developing and attaining sales goals, delivering customer service, and growing the location's revenues and profitability together with the Management team and our USA Corporate office.

Position Location: Miami, Florida.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Responsible for daily, weekly, and monthly reports to monitor and audit the branch operations.
• Supervise and motivate all branch staff, ensuring that all operations are performed accurately and in a timely manner.
• Supervise and review that all accruals in each Operating file are recorded on time for a timely conclusion of monthly financials.
• Responsible for reviewing, on a monthly basis, analysis of P/L, comparison with Budget, and setting up goals for reaching higher profitability.
• Ensure compliance with local/international shipping and customs regulations for all import or export shipments together with our Corporate Compliance Department.
• Manage and oversee all systems for processing all import and export files by branch personnel, including customs software, and in-house operational and CRM systems.
• Assist Corporate Management on any requests made regarding accounting, operations, or business development.
• Assist all overseas offices and agents with any requests made to the local office, ensuring accurate and timely (within 24 hours) responses.
• Maintain direct responsibility for all customer relationships, as well as the development of salespeople.
• Build relationships and negotiate rates with local vendors, including but not limited to trucking companies, warehouses, and ocean carriers as needed.
• Attend any management meetings as required.
• Identify potential staff, hire, train, and continue growing the branch in Miami, Florida.

Licensed Customs Broker Activities:

• Coordinate, manage, and oversee the Customs Brokerage department to ensure compliance with company policies, US Customs regulations, and customer service requirements.
• Oversee, assist, train, and maintain responsibility for the preparation of customs entries and overall workflow.
• Organize, manage, and lead the Customs Brokerage Department.
• Monitor brokerage staff for efficiency, accuracy, and productivity.
• Work closely with the Branch Permit Holder, conduct regular meetings on expectations, transparency, and goal setting.
• Train and mentor department members in areas of Customers Brokerage Regulations and HTS Codes.
• Monitor team performance against company standards and department goals, conducting regular audits of shipment documents and accounting practices.
• Identify compliance issues and communicate with the Compliance department to implement corrective action when necessary.
• Ensure timely and orderly workflow including release, billing, and auditing.
• Provide management guidelines, training, and organization to the department.
• Work with the Permit Holder and Compliance Team to ensure new accounts are onboarded properly, with POAs and Bonds set up according to SOPs.

Qualifications should include:

Internal Relationships:

• Develop junior staff/department managers to the next level, providing effective feedback (both positive and constructive).
• Implement firm local policies regarding recruiting, staffing, training, and account management that result in top-notch customer service, fostering long-term staff and client retention.
• Promote a positive environment for staff and address any issues that create barriers to an optimal work environment.
• Offer ideas, insights, and recommendations on policies, staffing, client service, new business, and other topics that impact the overall quality of the organization.
• Successfully transition into problem-solving mode whenever challenges arise.
• Take the lead on implementing at least one internal program/procedure per quarter that improves office morale and/or contributes to staff retention.

External Relationships:

• Build strong relationships with existing clientele.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities, participate in new business pitches, and assist in new business proposals.
• Work with the sales team to expand and/or renew existing accounts.
• Collaborate on RFQs for global accounts.

Financial and Administrative:

• Prepare monthly reports summarizing P/L and key initiatives/challenges and submit to upper management.
• Regularly update projections and manage work to meet or exceed projected revenue targets.
• Identify ways to save company money by improving/streamlining internal systems or procedures.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in freight forwarding/U.S. Customs management of consumer goods; experience in the beverage sector is a major plus.
• Superior knowledge of all NVO functions.
• Superior communication skills.

Reports to: Regional Director USA and Mexico / VP Brokerage.