Global Trade & Customs Compliance Manager

Job Summary: 

Our Manager, of Customs Compliance is a detailed oriented hands-on collaborative customs compliance professional with a strong foundation in US Government regulations especially for import shipments. Primary areas of responsibility will include managing Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) Classification, Country of Origin determinations, Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) maintenance and import documentation. The overall objective will be to ensure that regulations from Code of Federal Regulations, US Customs Border Protection and other government agencies are incorporated in the planning, directing, and coordinating of international shipments.  

Job Responsibilities: 

• Comply with all U.S. Customs, other government related agency regulations and internal standards to maintain a “low risk importer status” for Guitar Center.   

• Develop and maintain internal programs and processes that support compliance goals.  

• Serve as an internal/external escalation point-of-contact for all Customs Compliance issues. 

• Oversee the compliance accuracy and timeliness of all customs entries.  

• Manage Post Entry adjustments as necessary. 

• Own the HTS classification process for all products and parts databases. 

• Maintain Guitar Center’s CTPAT Tier II Validation status and Supply Chain security assessment for international manufacturers and transportation partners.  

• Manage and own the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) portal for all import data.  

• Perform monthly import audits to ensure continued compliance with U.S. Customs.  

• Maintain recordkeeping for import and export shipments.  

• Manage Duty Relief programs, (drawback, tariff exclusions, etc.) where applicable.  

• Explore opportunities to implement new technologies to automate import processes. 

• Partner with product management and merchandising teams regarding HTS classifications. 

• Set challenging and realistic performance goals and targets.  

• Develop and monitor budget/forecast for duties and other import fees. 

• Measure business performance based on most appropriate financial and quantitative indicators and provide monthly reports on key compliance and cost metrics.  

• Become acquainted with our internal order management and 3PL’s operating systems.   

• Provide training when necessary to inform internal stakeholders of compliance risk.  

LOGISTICS SUPPORT  

• Partner with International Logistics team to identify any compliance related functions that impact overall landed cost and transportation speed.
• Experience in building and maintaining collaborative cross functional internal relationships that address Customs compliance challenges and opportunities.
• Solid understanding of INCOTERMS and their compliance and operational applications.
• Work as needed with customers ensuring overall Customs compliance within our internal order processing, landed cost and Third-Party Logistics operating systems.
• Manage Vendor Compliance initiatives.
• Manage Overages Shortages and Damage (OS&D)

To join our band, you'll need the following experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required with a focus in Global Logistics, Customs Compliance and or International Trade.
• Minimum of 5 years of Import Compliance experience preferred.
• U.S. Customs Broker License preferred  
• 2-5 years supervisory experience is preferred 
• Advanced computer skills:  Excel, Word, PowerPoint required 
• Ability to travel up to 10% required   
• Strong understanding of Customs Compliance rules and regulations in support of a major retail importer 
• Experience managing a CTPAT program, Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) and Country of Origin rules 
• Knowledgeable of Duty Relief programs across various import operational platforms. 
• Solid understanding of International Commercial Terms (INCOTERMS) and their compliance and operational applications 
• Strong Intra and cross-functional collaboration expertise 
• Ability to embrace our core values of Customer first (exceed expectations), Passion, (Inspire others ), Respect (embrace individuality & honor diversity) and Integrity (be open, honest, and ethical) 

Why join us?

With a career at Guitar Center, you become part of the world's largest multichannel musical instrument retailer. Whether at our Stores, Contact Centers, Distribution Centers, or Support Center, Guitar Center employees have a common goal: to help people find their sound and fill the world with more music.

About Guitar Center

The Guitar Center Company embodies the world of creativity and music by encouraging our teammates to find their own individual sound. Our mission is to develop and nurture lifelong musicians and make a difference in the world by enabling musicians and non-musicians alike to experience the joy that comes from creating music. We believe in putting our customers first, engaging with respect and integrity and fulfilling our mission with passion.

The Guitar Center Company operates through several business divisions. Guitar Center is the world's largest retailer of guitars, amplifiers, drums, keyboards, recording, live sound, DJ, and lighting equipment, with more than 290 stores across the United States.  2014 marked the milestone 50th anniversary of the Guitar Center Company as the organization continues to help people make music from coast to coast.   

E-Commerce brands Guitar Center, Musician's Friend and WWBW offer online sales of a broad selection of music products. The Music & Arts division operates more than 220 stores specializing in band & orchestral instruments for sale and rental, serving teachers, band directors, college professors, and students since 1952. AVDG and GCPro headline the enterprise audio-visual integration business, delivering a best-in-class commercial and residential customer experience.

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Guitar Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides fair and equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status prohibited under Federal, State, or local laws. All employment decisions are based on valid job‐related requirements.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website, you may request a reasonable accommodation to express interest in a specific opening. You can request a reasonable accommodation by sending an email to recruiting@guitarcenter.com.