Senior Trade Compliance Specialist

As a Senior Trade Compliance Specialist, you will serve as the regional expert for customs and international trade compliance across Latin America. In this role, you will lead trade compliance programs, customs governance activities, risk management initiatives, and trusted trader programs while partnering closely with business teams, customs authorities, and external service providers. You will play a critical role in protecting the business, enabling cross-border trade, and driving operational excellence throughout the region.

Job Description

The Senior Trade Compliance Specialist is responsible for leading and overseeing regional trade compliance programs and customs governance activities across Latin America. This position ensures compliance with applicable customs, import, export, sanctions, valuation, classification, origin, and supply chain security regulations while supporting business growth through effective risk management and regulatory oversight.

Business Unit

Global Business Services supports operational excellence through compliance, governance, and scalable business processes that help strengthen efficiency, resilience, and service delivery across the organization.

Team Description

You will join a collaborative and highly engaged Trade Compliance team dedicated to enabling compliant international trade operations while supporting business growth across the Americas. The team partners with internal stakeholders, customs authorities, customs brokers, and logistics providers to promote regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and supply chain security.

Where You'll Make a Difference

• Lead the implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of trade compliance programs throughout Latin America.
• Develop and maintain regional policies, procedures, and internal controls to support customs and international trade compliance.
• Manage Authorized Economic Operator (AEO/OEA) and other trusted trader programs, including certifications, validations, monitoring activities, and corrective action plans.
• Serve as a key company representative with customs authorities and government agencies, supporting audits, assessments, and regulatory inquiries.
• Provide technical guidance on tariff classification, customs valuation, rules of origin, free trade agreements, import and export regulations, and special customs programs.
• Oversee customs brokers, freight forwarders, consultants, and compliance service providers to ensure high-quality and compliant operations.
• Conduct compliance reviews, risk assessments, audits, and remediation activities to strengthen governance and regulatory adherence.
• Support strategic projects involving compliance technology, process harmonization, automation, and operational excellence initiatives.

What Makes You the Right Fit

• Bachelor's degree in International Trade, Customs Administration, Business Administration, Supply Chain, Law, Logistics, or a related field.
• Significant experience in customs, international trade compliance, import/export operations, or trade governance roles within multinational organizations.
• Strong knowledge of customs regulations, tariff classification, customs valuation, rules of origin, sanctions compliance, and free trade agreements.
• Demonstrated experience managing trade compliance programs, internal controls, audits, and regulatory interactions.
• Experience working with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and government agencies across Latin America.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and risk management skills with the ability to manage complex compliance matters.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across multiple functions and countries.
• Professional proficiency in English and Spanish; Portuguese is highly valued.

How Would You Stand Out

• Experience leading AEO/OEA certification, recertification, validation, or supply chain security programs.
• Professional certifications related to customs, international trade, compliance, or supply chain security.
• Experience implementing trade compliance technologies, automation solutions, or regional process standardization initiatives.

Why Choose Us

• Work in a highly visible regional role supporting business operations across Latin America.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to shape compliance strategy and governance initiatives.
• Contribute to meaningful projects that strengthen operational excellence, risk management, and supply chain security.
• Grow your expertise within a global organization committed to innovation and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with diverse teams in an inclusive and purpose-driven environment.
• Access learning and professional development opportunities that support long-term career growth.

We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.

Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more