Customs Specialist II

About the Role Join ZF’s Customs and Trade Compliance team as a Customs Specialist II. You’ll support daily trade operations, HTSUS classifications, USMCA activities, and cross-functional collaboration across North American facilities to optimize duties and ensure compliance. What You'll Do

• Provide daily guidance to various business units and U.S. Customs in North America in the conduct of importation, exportation, reconciliation, and drawback activities.
• Support sourcing/supply chain personnel in import/export shipping.
• Determine (HTSUS) Harmonized Tariff Schedule classifications for raw materials and finished goods; ensure data is reported accurately and all duties, taxes, and fees are paid in compliance with trade regulations.
• Research and analyze products for qualification for free trade agreements (e.g. USMCA, US-Chile, US-Korea).
• Collect and issue USMCA Certificates, ensure plant compliance with USMCA regulations, review USMCA Certificates issued by ZF Plants and Vendors, and audit USMCA certificates and communicate findings to all parties for compliance requirements.
• Manage the Customs systems and database; maintain USMCA certificates and affidavits for plants.
• Maintain and update USMCA and Country of Origin data in Customs systems.
• Handle all Country of Origin issues; manage USMCA solicitations, qualification and record keeping.
• Provide support to FTZ compliance by coordinating with plants in developing, implementing, and maintaining processes, procedures, manuals, and systems.
• Create and review Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) with ZF border brokers and suppliers and respond to requests for information from the Customs Brokers.
• Manage, direct, and evaluate the performance of customs brokers and other customs-related service providers.
• Provide support to business units in the areas of Customs Drawback and Reconciliation programs.
• Provide support to business units with Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and ISA / Trusted Trader programs. What We're Looking For
• Knowledge of import/export regulations and trade compliance, including HTSUS classifications and duty/tax reporting.
• Experience with USMCA (and other FTAs) qualification, certificate management, and related compliance processes.
• Ability to manage customs systems, affidavits, and data updates related to USMCA and Country of Origin.
• Experience coordinating with FTZ programs and working with plants to implement/process improvements.
• Ability to create and review SOPs with brokers/suppliers and respond to information requests from customs brokers.
• Experience managing brokers and other service providers, with strong cross-functional collaboration across multiple business units.
• Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills; able to operate in a fast-paced, matrix environment.
• Willingness to work onsite with North American teams and interact with multiple ZF divisions. Nice to Have
• Experience with C-TPAT and ISA/Trusted Trader programs. Compensation & Benefits
• Not specified