Dickies: Manager, Customs Compliance

Now that you’ve found the job description, what’s next? 

At VF, we strive to foster a culture of belonging based on respect, connection, openness, and authenticity.  As a purpose-led, performance-driven company, we are committed to inclusion, diversity, equity, and action. So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us – our values and our culture - visit VF Careers or www.vfc.com.  

What will you do? 

A day in the life of a Customs Compliance Manager at VF looks a little like this.

This Costa Mesa, CA, based role anchors a local team of customs experts in direct support of our Dickies brand.  The Customs Compliance Manager maintains collegial relationships with brand stakeholders such as Product Development, Costing, Finance, and orchestrates across VF’s regional and global customs network. The Manager aligns across Global Supply Chain functions, such as Logistics, Product Procurement, and external logistics service providers, supporting the efficient goods movement from origins to final destinations, with important focus on the importation process.

Let’s break down that day-in-the-life a bit more. 

• Ensuring the company meets customs reasonable care standards and is compliant in all aspects of the customs regulations
• As a subject matter expert and owner of tariff classifications for assigned brand product lines
• Managing day-to-day interactions with external service providers such as customs brokers, and 3PL’s
• Directly manage engagements, request responses and any other dialogue in our partnership with Customs and Border Protection
• Working closely with brand product development to tariff-engineer products achieving optimal duty rates
• Conducting subject matter training to relevant stakeholders in the organization
• By engaging on team projects both small and large
• Contributing your vision in building the strategic direction of the broader Customs organization
• Documenting and applying processes and procedures as new laws and regulations warrant
• Ensuring the correct valuation of imports is applied
• Implementing Importer Self-Assessment program requirements
• Supporting our duty drawback, reconciliation, and other post-importation programs
• Supporting our Foreign Trade Zone program.
• Managing the validation, control and recordkeeping of Free Trade Agreement sourced production.
• Overseeing import operations, brokerage processes and SOP’s
• Implementing improvement plans and develop operational efficiencies that drive both enhanced compliance and better business processes

What do you need to succeed? 

We all have unique skills that we bring to work and celebrate every day. For this role, there are foundation skills you’ll need to succeed and excel.

The foundation skills and requirements you will need in this position are: 

Educational/ Position Requirements: 

• Bachelor's degree with 8+ years of experience in progressively responsible customs compliance roles (~ equivalent years of experience considered in lieu of degree)
• 2+ years of supervisory experience required
• Expertise in USHTS Section X1 and chapters 42, 61, 62 and 64 required
• Expertise in Apparel Free Trade Agreement (USMCA, CAFTA-DR, HOPE) rules and regulations required
• U.S. customs broker's license required
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel required
• Proficiency in Microsoft Access, Smartsheet and Office 365 suite of tools (Teams, OneNote, etc.)
• Experience with SAP S4 Global Trade Services (GTS) a plus
• Background check for FTZ program required upon hire
• Acumen in solving complex business problems with forward thinking solutions
• Ability to engage appropriately at varying levels of the organizatio