Trade and Customs Compliance Analyst

Job description

A mutually rewarding experience. Work. Realize your ambitions. And realize there’s more to being in business than just making a profit. That’s the Mars philosophy. And the opportunity we offer every one of our Associates. An opportunity to take what you do and make it mean more for you, for those around you and for the planet.  What you get here is challenging, interesting work. You get the tools you need to do a great job and you get to have the best possible people on your side to help you do it. And at the same time as getting to find ways to do business better today than we did it yesterday and driving a great career, you also get to build a more enlightened business and drive sustainability.

Because it’s never just about a single person, a single project or a single brand. It’s about how you can grab everything that’s within your reach here and use it to pursue mutual, long-term gain. It’s about having ideas. And ideals. Being prepared to risk failure because the promise of success means we’ll all be a little better off. It’s that mix of integrity and ambition that makes Mars such a special place to work. And why working here is always about more than just a job.

Mars has net sales of more than $33 billion, operates six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, Symbioscience, and more than 75,000 Associates worldwide that are putting its Principles into action to make a difference for people and the planet through its performance.

Mars brands include: Petcare – PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, BANFIELD® Pet Hospital, CESAR®, SHEBA®, DREAMIES® and NUTRO®; Chocolate – M&M’S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Wrigley – DOUBLEMINT®, EXTRA®, ORBIT® and 5™ chewing gums, SKITTLES® and STARBURST® candies, and ALTOIDS® AND LIFESAVERS® mints. Food – UNCLE BEN’S®, DOLMIO®, EBLY®, MASTERFOODS®, SEEDS OF CHANGE® and ROYCO®; Drinks – ALTERRA COFFEE ROASTERS™, THE BRIGHT TEA COMPANY™, KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience – COCOAVIA® and WISDOM PANEL®.

 

Position Summary:

The Trade Compliance Analyst function is primarily responsible for partnering with the Trade Compliance Manager in implementation and execution of appropriate policies, strategies, and procedures to enhance Wrigley’s import and export compliance program and to conduct import operational activities in compliance with laws governing international trade. 

The incumbent is expected to be an interface between freight forwarders, Government agencies, customs brokers and Wrigley affiliates in regards to trade compliance. This person will be responsible for the following key areas: Working knowledge of, and ability to apply laws and regulations related to trade compliance business activities in the Americas; must be proficient working with, and the requirements of, trade authorities globally; must be proficient working with compliance software and SAP; audits of import and export documentation, recordkeeping, and classification of internationally shipped goods (multiple countries of import). This position has to maintain a close relationship with the Legal Department, Corporate Regulatory, Finance, Manufacturing, Freight Forwarders, Procurement, and Engineering.

 

The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, a subsidiary of Mars, Inc, is a global leader in the manufacturing and marketing of high quality chewing gum products and confections.  The organization, which sells its products in over 140 countries worldwide, is supported by the corporate offices located in Chicago, Illinois.  The Commercial organization consists of four geographies: Americas, Western Europe, CISMEA and Asia/Pacific. Five functional groups reside in Commercial: Commercial Operations, Commercial Sourcing, Supplier Quality, Trade Compliance, and Commercial Services.  Within the Americas region, there are five manufacturing plants across U.S., Canada and Mexico and foreign sales affiliates.

 

Major Responsibilities:

Execute Compliance Activities
• Execute Wrigley’s export compliance program including denied party screening, embargoed countries, INCO terms training, ECCN determination, and classification.

• Execute Wrigley’s import compliance program  -  activities may include, but are not limited to, FDA Prior Notice, day to day import operations and assignment of US, CA, and MX HTS classifications, application of customs regulations across US, CA, MX, valuation reviews, assist tracking, CTPAT,  roll-out and training of associates on new trade policies, and maintenance of Trade Software data.

• Maintain a current, comprehensive knowledge of the U.S. Departments of Commerce and State regulations as well as the policies and practices of these and other government agencies involved in export regulation.

• Maintain a current, comprehensive knowledge of US CBP and other governmental import regulations as well as the policies and practices of these and other governmental agencies involved in import regulation.

• Perform audits of Free Trade Agreement forms to ensure compliance with FTA programs including but not limited to NAFTA, Korea, Chile, CAFTA, and US-Australia Free Trade Agreement.   Ensure eligibility and record retention requirements are met.  May generate FTA certificates.

• Advise internal customers on import/export requirements, tariff systems and other customs-related matters.

Audit

• Utilize Trade Compliance Software to perform audits of import/export entries, and where software may not be utilized, complete manual audits of import/export requirements, developing .xls tools where needed.

• Monitor procedures used by other Wrigley manufacturing facilities and vendors to ensure compliance with U.S. and other governmental trade regulations.

• Perform investigations pertaining to trade compliance with applicable import/ export laws.

• Perform annual recordkeeping audits.

• Ideate corrective actions in response to audit results and hold affiliates, suppliers, and brokers accountable for compliance.

• Other audit activities as assigned by the Trade Compliance Manager

Document Policies

• Update the Customs Compliance SharePoint as needed.

• Maintain records of import documents and assist in monitoring compliance of export documentation retention.

• Create and update SOP’s to ensure documented policies reflect current practice.

Operations
• HTS classification of items and maintenance of classification database in accordance with Customs procedures.
• Participate in broker reviews and generate reports as required. 
• Finalize ISF filings where needed.
• Execute Wrigley’s import/export operational day-day processes and procedures
• Prepare/File end of month reports as necessary
• Assist and/or manage special projects, which may include support of Commercial Operations
• Provide backup support to Customs Compliance Manager
• Continue skill development in strategy, classifications, compliance and regulatory issues.
• Identify/implement cost savings opportunities
• Identify new procedures/methods to expedite clearance of import shipments
• Own system maintenance of Trade Compliance Software – data integrity, new vendor/item creation etc.
• Participate in North America Customs Compliance Committee to support trade-related work

 

Minimum Requirements :

Bachelors degree (4-year)
3+ years of international logistics and trade compliance OR prior experience with a customs broker (food manufacturing environment preferred)
Expertise in ground, air, ocean logistics operations

Must be well versed in Import/Export compliance

Proficiency in using data programs (i.e., Excel) and SAP systems

Solid project management experience

Preferred Skills :

Strong business acumen and analytical skills
Effective communicator; excellent oral and written communication skills
Sound interpersonal skills to work effectively within cross-functional teams in a matrix organization

Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.