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Director of Trade Compliance – North America (United States, Canada & Mexico) Legal and Compliance is please to be working with a global manufacturer of highly engineered, technology-rich components and systems for leading OEMs in the aerospace & defense, land vehicle, and power & energy markets, recruiting for a Director of Trade Compliance. Operating through 26 businesses across 12 countries, the company is organized into two divisions—Aerospace and Flexonics—and is known for its decentralized, entrepreneurial culture rooted in accountability, operational excellence, and strong governance. The Opportunity The organization is looking for a Director of Trade Compliance – North America to provide strategic, operational, and legal leadership across all U.S., Canadian, and Mexican operations. This is a senior leadership role with enterprise-wide responsibility for export, import, customs, and trade compliance programs, supporting both commercial and defense-related activities. Critically, this role serves as the company’s Empowered Official (EO) under U.S. export control law (ITAR), holding legal authority for export authorizations and certifications related to defense and aerospace programs. The position partners closely with executive leadership, operating businesses, and global stakeholders to enable compliant, sustainable growth. Key Responsibilities Strategic & Executive Leadership • Lead the North American Trade Compliance program aligned with global governance and risk frameworks • Advise executive leadership and brief the Board as required on compliance performance, risks, and remediation • Serve as the regional subject matter expert on international trade and regulatory compliance Empowered Official (ITAR) • Act as the designated Empowered Official under 22 CFR §120.25 • Hold signing and certification authority for U.S. export licenses, TAAs, MLAs, and related authorizations • Exercise independent legal judgment to approve or deny export and re-export transactions • Serve as primary liaison with DDTC, BIS, OFAC, and other U.S. government agencies Export, Import & Customs Compliance • Ensure compliance with: • U.S.: ITAR, EAR, OFAC, CBP • Canada:CGP, CBSA, Export Control List • Mexico: SAT, VUCEM • Oversee licensing, classification, valuation, documentation, and record-keeping • Deliver training and compliance awareness across all levels of the organization Trade Agreements & Optimization • Lead compliance and optimization under CUSMA / USMCA / T-MEC • Direct HS classification, valuation, broker oversight, and duty recovery initiatives • Advise supply chain and procurement on landed cost, tariff engineering, and trade strategy Auditing, Risk & Governance • Conduct compliance audits across all North American sites • Develop standardized audit tools, metrics, and corrective action tracking • Support internal audit alignment, voluntary disclosures, and regulatory remediation • Lead trade compliance due diligence for M&A and business integrations Team Leadership & Program Development • Lead and mentor trade compliance professionals across the region • Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and internal controls • Implement automation and digital tools for licensing, audits, and analytics • Monitor regulatory changes and ensure timely implementation Qualifications & Experience • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Law, Supply Chain, or International Trade • 10+ years of progressive trade compliance leadership across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico • Recognized Empowered Official (EO) under ITAR with defense/aerospace experience • Deep expertise in ITAR, EAR, OFAC, CBSA, SAT, and CUSMA/USMCA/T-MEC • Proven experience auditing trade compliance programs and leading corrective actions • Multi-industry background (e.g., aerospace, defense, automotive, oil & gas, medical devices) • Experience with ACE (U.S.), CARM (Canada), and VUCEM (Mexico) • Bilingual English/Spanish preferred Core Competencies • Strategic and credible executive communicator • Decisive, ethical leader with strong regulatory judgment • Highly analytical and detail-oriented • Collaborative, cross-cultural leadership style • Adaptable and resilient in complex regulatory environments Location & Travel • Location: Remote, hybrid, or on-site (flexible) • Travel: Approximately 15–25% across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and occasional global travel Salary range guidance - $160-220k dependent upon experience. Discretionary bonus. A wide array of benefits including medical, dental and 401k.