Trade Compliance Advisor

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:

The Senior Trade Compliance Advisor leads North American trade compliance activities to ensure alignment with applicable trade laws, regulations, and company policies. Serves as a strategic advisor to internal stakeholders, offering expert guidance on import/export operations, classification, valuation, tariffs, country of origin, and risk mitigation.

(1) Subject Matter Expertise:

• Classifies SHW products using the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) of the U.S. and other countries, applying general rules of interpretation, product chemistry, function, and customs rulings. Investigates and responds to customs and other governmental inquiries.
• Provides strategic advice on global trade compliance matters and serves as a North America subject matter expert. Partners with regional trade compliance advisors to provide global strategic recommendations.
• Monitors regulatory developments and best practices in global trade and applies them to Sherwin-Williams.
• Represents Sherwin-Williams in external forums, including trade associations and professional groups.
• Provides expert level response to internal and external customer inquiries.
• Designs and delivers internal training on trade compliance topics.

(2) Free Trade Agreements Program Management:

• Leads the North American FTA program, including product qualification, supplier solicitation, broker communication, customer support, and refund filings.
• Leads implementation and continuous improvement of FTA qualification software.
• Ensures accurate documentation, including certificates of origin, and maintains product databases.
• Collaborates with purchasing teams to obtain annual COO documentation for raw materials and purchased articles.
• Responds to internal and external inquiries related to COO, USMCA, government procurement, and other FTAs.
• Files duty refunds for applicable FTAs.
• Provides coaching to the other members of the Sherwin-Williams Trade Compliance team that support free trade activities.

(3) Trade Compliance Systems and Processes:

• Leads cross-functional projects to enhance trade compliance processes.
• Partners with IT, Finance, Tax and other departments to drive automation, system improvements, data completeness, and accurate trade accounting.
• Identifies and implements system and process enhancements.
• Ensures accuracy and completeness of trade data during business system integrations and other IT projects.
• Advises on best practices for trade compliance during system implementation.

(4) Other responsibilities and projects to support the goals of the Trade Compliance team, as assigned.

"Job duties include contact with other employees and access confidential and proprietary information and/or other items of value, and such access may be supervised or unsupervised. The Company therefore has determined that a review of criminal history is necessary to protect the business and its operations and reputation and is necessary to protect the safety of the Company's staff, employees, and business relationships."

This position is eligible for health benefits, such as medical, dental and vision coverage, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), disability coverage, security, retirement and saving benefits, and more. Additional benefits include a generous time away from work package, including personal leave, paid parental leave, medical leave, vacation, holidays, among other benefits

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

FORMAL EDUCATION:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in International Business or International Relations
• OR Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in sciences such as chemistry, biology, engineering, or similar
• OR Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution in another discipline with relevant import/export, customs brokerage or trade compliance experience

Preferred:

• Master's degree from an accredited institution in International Business or International Relations
• OR Master's Degree from an accredited institution in sciences such as chemistry, biology, engineering, or similar
• OR Master's Degree from an accredited institution in another discipline with relevant import/export, customs brokerage or trade compliance experience

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

Required:

• US Customs Broker's license
• 8+ years of Trade Compliance, Customs Brokerage, Import/Export, and/or Regulatory
• Thorough understanding of customs entry filing in the US and Canada
• Thorough understanding of trade compliance regulations including customs valuation, importer of record responsibilities, country of origin determination, tariff and origin engineering
• Thorough understanding of global Free Trade Agreements
• Expertise in harmonized tariff schedule classification

Preferred:

• 10+ years' experience in Trade Compliance, Customs Brokerage, Import/Export, and/or Regulatory
• Thorough understanding of customs entry filing outside North America
• Experience with trade compliance software implementation
• Experience in the chemical industry or good understanding of chemistry as it relates to the paint and coatings industry
• Experience interpreting codes of federal regulations
• Experience in dealing with governmental agencies
• Experience in tariff classification of chemicals
• Experience working with cross-functional teams to meet trade compliance goals

TECHNICAL/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

Required:

• Intermediate proficiency using Microsoft Excel
• Team oriented with excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must be able to work with and respond to all levels of management, peers, laboratories, manufacturing, regulatory agencies, industry groups and other internal and external customers
• Strong problem solving and decision-making skills with the ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment
• Strong organizational and analytical skills and ability to prioritize competing projects

Preferred:

• Proficiency in common project management methods such as chartering, user story writing, requirements gathering and documentation, status reporting, etc.
• Experience delivering technical presentations to diverse audiences.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other data analysis tools

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: (TIME SPENT AWAY FROM HOME OR OTHER TYPICAL OFFICE LOCATION)

• 10%