Global Customs Specialist
We are seeking a hands-on Global Customs Compliance Leader to drive tariff classification, origin strategy, and regulatory governance across global import and export activities, with strong expertise supporting exports into the United States.
This role reports to the Director of Logistics and combines deep technical judgment with execution. You will own HS classification, USMCA/free trade compliance, and customs risk mitigation while directly performing origin analysis, tariff shift assessments, and classification decisions for both standard manufactured products and custom-engineered solutions.
HS Code Classification & Governance
- Lead global HS code strategy with strong focus on HTSUS and U.S. compliance
- Determine and maintain classifications for assemblies, kits, and engineered equipment
- Govern supplier HS codes and maintain classification documentation
- Partner with engineering to assess functionality, tariff shift, and substantial transformation
USMCA & Origin Compliance
- Lead origin determination under USMCA and other trade agreements
- Review BOMs to evaluate tariff shift, regional value content, and process rules
- Issue certifications and manage supplier origin statements
Broker, Claims & Regulatory Interface
- Act as primary technical contact with brokers, customs authorities, and external legal experts
- Lead binding rulings, post-entry corrections, duty recovery initiatives, and post-entry claims
- Resolve entry discrepancies and maintain defensible classification and origin positions
Compliance Integration, Risk & Execution
- Integrate customs compliance into the selling process and internal software stack (ERP/MRP)
- Build scalable SOPs and governance embedded into engineering and supply chain workflows
- Maintain audit-ready documentation aligned with CBP reasonable care standards
- Deliver training and directly execute complex classification and origin analyses
Qualifications
- University degree in business, international trade, engineering, law, or related field
- Formal training or certification in customs/trade compliance
- 5–10+ years of experience in global trade compliance, preferably with a customs broker, consultancy, or similar environment
- Strong expertise in HTSUS, USMCA, tariff shift, and substantial transformation
- Experience reviewing complex BOMs and working cross-functionally with engineering teams
- Structured, detail-oriented, and execution-focused
Additional Information
What We Offer
- Career pathing: Real opportunities to grow through personalized development plans, bi-annual employee reviews, and mentorship program
- Professional development: Continuous training in performance management, inclusive leadership, leadership operating model, team building, and giving/receiving feedback
- Gender diversity & inclusion: Pay equity reviews, inclusive policies, and a Women’s Employee Resource Group offering networking, mentorship, and quarterly learning sessions.
- Hybrid work: Enjoy flexibility with our hybrid model, allowing you to work from home on select days.
- Community engagement: Two paid volunteering days per year to give back to causes you care about.
- Central location: Regular team gatherings and a collaborative office space in the heart of Montreal, surrounded by cafés and restaurants.
- Team events: All year round employee events including annual kick-off, employee summit, quarterly happy hours, and department events.
Comprehensive benefits: A complete group benefits plan for you and your family that start day one.
What to Expect in Your Interview
- Initial Call
- Meet the Team
- Case or take-home interview
- Decision & Offer
We’re committed to making every step of the process inclusive and accessible. If you require accommodations at any stage, please let us know, we’ll ensure you have what you need to succeed.
Professional Growth & Development
Vention believes strongly in promotion from within. For this reason, we structured a comprehensive professional development program that elevate high-performing individuals who deeply understand the inner workings of Vention. This program encompasses:
- In-house coaching program with former industry executives working with small cohort of emerging leaders
- Quarterly management training on topics ranging from “Giving & Receiving Feedback, to Building high-performing teams, to "Developing your own Leadership model”
- Quarterly World-Class Speaker Series featuring industry leaders sharing their perspective and lessons learned as they build their function and business
- Dedicated professional development channels sponsored by the Executive team to foster continuous professional learning
- Book allocation program to further your knowledge in your domain of expertise or any business leadership topics
Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at Vention
When you join Vention, you join a team of professionals with diverse experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. Together, we’re building a workplace where everyone belongs, feels valued, and can achieve extraordinary results.
We celebrate differences in ideas, in experiences, and in people. Our initiatives in gender equity, career growth, and leadership development are designed to create real opportunities for everyone to thrive.
Vention’s culture
Vention is an uplifting environment for high achievers. Thinking that Vention’s culture would keep you energized? See our full culture guide here.