Sr. Manager Trade Compliance Operations

About the Role

Ariat is looking for a Senior Manager of Trade Compliance Operations to oversee global trade activities and ensure compliance with international laws and regulations. This position will report to the Sr. Director, Transportation, Logistics & Trade Compliance. The ideal candidate will drive process improvements, minimize customs risks and duties, and partners across teams to support efficient and compliant trade operations.

You'll Make a Difference By

• Managing day-to-day Ariat global trade compliance activities ensuring the company complies with global trade laws and regulations


• Sharing guidance on evolving and existing trade regulations impacting the business.


• Partnering and educating key stakeholders on incoterms, harmonized tariff codes and product classifications to minimize customs duties levied on Ariat products.


• Designing and delivering solutions through RFI/RFP events; FTZ/bonded warehouse for future cargo flow strategies; trade software solutions; and customs brokerage improvements.


• Managing the development, implementation, documentation and maintenance of a comprehensive and efficient trade compliance program.


• Ensuring compliance with country laws and other regulatory requirements, working closely with regulatory agencies, trade partners and internal/external stakeholders


• Staying updated on industry trends, technology advancements, and regulatory changes for implementation to improve efficiency and accuracy of Trade Compliance processes; to build short/long term strategies and roadmaps; and ensure departmental best practices


• Monitoring international inbound and outbound orders: root cause and resolve order delays related to diversions, customs documentation, missing arrival notices, clearance or process issues.


• Collaborating and analyzing import/export documentation to ensure accuracy for brokers, factories, suppliers and customers. Pre-auditing all customs entries against purchase orders; Coordinating filing of Post Summary Corrections.


• Monitoring dashboards and reporting to manage key actionable trade compliance metrics monitoring performance, milestones, clearance timeliness, clearance accuracy, exceptions, process improvement, cost management, and drive continuous improvements


• Driving trade compliance continuous improvement activities, compliance assurance and risk assessment programs to control trade compliance risk.


• Creating and maintaining Trade Compliance Process and training SOPs.


• Conducting Trade Compliance risk assessments across Ariat locations, factories and suppliers; Maintaining foreign supplier questionnaires, USMCA factory audits and updated USMCA certificates of origin.


• Managing relationships with transportation partners, customs brokers, customers and stakeholders.


• Strengthening in leading, training, developing and mentoring team members at all career journey levels

About You

• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, International Trade, International Business or a related field preferred


• 7+ years specialized experience in Global Trade Compliance, preferably within the apparel and footwear industry


• 5-10 years Customs Compliance experience, working for an importer 


• U.S. Customs Broker License (or working to obtain) and/or similar professional trade certification (preferred)


• Experience with CTPAT, FTZ, bonded warehouse and CITES requirements and transactions (preferred)


• Demonstrated knowledge of trade regulations including HTS classification


• Maintain the highest ethical standards, even when challenged by Senior Leaders


• Ability to work and accomplish multiple daily tasks, programs and projects in parallel, delivering results in a fast-paced and ambiguous environment, while maintaining high-quality work ethic with little supervision


• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with internal/external stakeholders


• Excellent problem-solving, data analysis and reporting skills


• Strong proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint and computer skills


• Ability to travel up to 25%, depending on business needs

About Ariat

Ariat is an innovative, outdoor global brand with roots in equestrian performance. We develop high-quality footwear and apparel for people who ride, work, and play outdoors, and care about performance, quality, comfort, and style.

The salary range for this position is $130,000 - $150,000 per year.

The salary is determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data for geographic locations. Ariat in good faith believes that this posted compensation range is accurate for this role at this location at the time of this posting. This range may be modified in the future.

Ariat’s holistic benefits package for full-time team members includes (but is not limited to):

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options


• Expanded wellness and mental health benefits


• Paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, and paid volunteer days


• 401(k) with company match


• Bonus incentive plans


• Team member discount on Ariat merchandise

Note: Availability of benefits may be subject to location & employment type and may have certain eligibility requirements. Ariat reserves the right to alter these benefits in whole or in part at any time without advance notice.

Ariat will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws. Ariat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics or any other basis protected under federal, state, or local law. Ariat is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to candidates with disabilities. If you need an accommodation during the application process, email [email protected].

Please see our Employment Candidate Privacy Policy at www.ariat.com/careers to learn more about how we collect, use, retain and disclose Personal Information.

Please note that Ariat does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Agreement, Ariat will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter/agency placement fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed Agreement, Ariat explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted directly to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Ariat.