Director, Global Trade

Drives the ongoing strategic development, leadership, and execution of Mueller’s trade compliance programs and processes. Leads and sets priorities for Mueller’s global trade compliance by shaping and building the trade compliance team and its capabilities. Advises all levels of the organization, both domestic and international, to drive value for the business units by efficiently and effectively navigating the global trade and export compliance environment.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Develop, maintain, and implement appropriate global trade compliance policies and processes to facilitate all Customs compliance requirements for manufactured goods and purchased goods crossing borders, particularly with respect to origin, classification, and value declarations.
2. Collaborate with the R&D, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Procurement, Logistics, and Commercial Business Units to understand and support current and future operations, processes and/or projects, validate country of origin information and advise on potential customs and export issues/questions.
3. Design, implement and maintain policies and procedures to ensure that country of origin data is accurately maintained and declared (in filings and on packaging).
4. Engage with government regulators and agencies, as needed.
5. Monitor the global trade regulatory changes, rulings, and case-law to assess risk and impact on Company operations.
6. Provide leadership and expertise in overseeing the ongoing strategic development and implementation of export controls and import programs. Research, develop and implement automation projects and enhancements.
7. Provide expertise and support to all levels of the organization, both domestically and internationally, to enable business units efficiently and effectively to navigate the trade, export, and import compliance environment.
8. Build and enhance the trade compliance controls program and policies - including policy review/enhancement, training to relevant business units (e.g., including Legal, Engineering, Sales, Operations, and HR) on trade compliance and export control issues in order to increase understanding of the compliance obligations, and risk-based analysis to assess export and sanctions risk.
9. Work closely with relevant business units to determine export classifications for Company products and goods/technology that may be exported (or otherwise treated as deemed exports).
10. Work with the Corporate Development team to provide strategic advice on trade compliance matters throughout the process of acquiring and integrating companies.

Key Relationships / Interfaces:

1. Global Supply Chain, Legal, Functional, Regional and Leadership Teams.
2. Business Unit Leadership Teams across Company.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Experience 10+ years with US and international trade compliance and manufacturing experience.
2. Bachelor’s degree in international business, international relations, international trade, law degree or a related degree or equivalent work experience preferred.
3. Holds a customs broker license.

SPECIALIZED SKILLS & PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

1. Ability to work independently to originate, execute, and complete trade compliance initiatives - including the ability to draft documents, policies, and communications in a detailed manner, while still being concise and consumable to the audience.
2. Adept and culturally aware to lead effectively and build relationships within a globally distributed organization.
3. Experience and capability to engage effectively with, and build consensus among, senior executives, business unit leaders, and international colleagues.
4. Demonstrated expertise and results in talent development and building Compliance Team bench strength.
5. Strategic vision and planning skills to lead their team to develop strategic plans that drive continuous improvement.
6. Good judgment and problem-solving ability.
7. Capable of understanding the impact of decision making on the Company and its customers.
8. Travel (U.S. and international).

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other category protected by law.