Manager Customs Compliance & Preference

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

Analyse data from all Markets on success rate in claiming duty reductions under Free Trade Agreements.

Manage the use of preferential trade agreements by adidas in the Latin American region, resulting in reductions in duty paid at import to achieve saving targets. Ensure compliance of claiming preference by markets in the Latin American region.

Act as a regional contact for the markets in Latin America region on customs topics to bridge the communication between Global Customs and local customs teams. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Complete data analysis of savings achieved by Markets, following up issues of preference claims in the markets and liaising with different stakeholders (including markets, LOs and Global Logistics, etc) to support markets to achieve their saving targets. Ensure timely submission of results for responsible Markets.
• Review results in claiming preference for all markets to identify data discrepancies.
• Identify missed preference opportunities, completing deep-dives with respective stakeholders to confirm reasons.
• Prepare management summaries on results achieved.
• Monitor trade agreements and all relevant legislation changes in the assigned region to ensure compliance and to identify preferential sourcing opportunities.
• Study trade agreements for the assigned region and prepare training materials on origin rules and documentation requirements.
• Provide training and information to Liaison Offices / Sourcing / Costing / Material Teams / Suppliers on the preference agreements, duty rates and preferential rules of origin relevant to the assigned region. Liaise with customs authorities to confirm rules where necessary.
• Prepare Guidelines on preferential document preparation for Suppliers to follow.
• Manage and coordinate preference audits at key Suppliers relevant to the preference claims in the assigned region.
• Support customs projects, particularly in assigned region.
• Support other team members to clarify preference requirements with factories in Latin American region.

Key Relationships:

• Sourcing /LOs
• Factories
• Markets
• External auditing company
• Customs authorities
• External consultants 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Good Customs technical knowledge, particularly of import processes and Free Trade Agreements
• Good Supply Chain knowledge
• Strong communication skills, including writing and presentation skills
• Ability to work with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and explain governmental regulations
• Strong research, writing, communication, and analytical skills

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• 5+ years’ working experience in supply chain and customs specialist functions
• Current and relevant knowledge of customs legislation
• Fluency in English and Spanish, written and spoken (minimum B2, ideally C1+)