Senior Manager, Customs & Trade Compliance

Job description

Role Purpose The Senior Manager, Customs Trade Compliance APAC owns and oversees the customs and trade compliance function across the APAC region for all VF brands and relevant VF business entities, with a particular focus on China, Japan and South Korea. The role is responsible for defining the regional customs compliance strategy, establishing governance standards, mitigating risk, and ensuring import and export activities are executed in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, internal policies and audit expectations. This position leads a team of 8 customs trade compliance professionals and is responsible for creating a high-performing, engaged and accountable team culture. The role builds capability across the team through coaching, feedback, performance management, succession planning, talent development and empowerment, while fostering a growth mindset and encouraging continuous learning. The Senior Manager is expected to lead with clarity, trust, inclusion and resilience, using strong communication skills to set direction, explain priorities, provide timely feedback, listen actively, manage expectations and ensure team members feel informed, supported and equipped to deliver both operational excellence and strategic compliance outcomes. A key part of the role is to act as a collaborative business partner and connector across Customs Trade Compliance, Logistics, Supply Chain, Finance, Legal, IT, Global Trade Compliance, APAC country teams, customs brokers and external service providers. The role bridges the gap between compliance requirements and operational execution, ensuring that customs priorities are embedded into logistics planning, shipment flow, systems, data, cost management and business decision making. The Senior Manager owns regional customs projects, oversees customs audits and authority interactions, drives strategic planning for duty optimization and trade programs, and ensures that systems, data, controls and processes support business growth while protecting VF’s compliance position. Key Responsibilities Own and oversee the APAC customs trade compliance program across VF brands and business entities, with focused accountability for China, Japan and South Korea. Be responsible for regional compliance governance, policies, procedures and control frameworks to ensure import and export activities comply with applicable customs laws, regulations and internal standards. Oversee HTS classification, country of origin, customs valuation, duty rate assignment and related ruling strategies across all relevant brands and product lines. Own strategic planning for APAC customs compliance priorities, including risk assessment, audit readiness, process improvement, duty optimization and capability building. Lead, coach and develop a team of 8 customs trade compliance professionals, setting clear objectives, building succession strength, promoting a growth mindset and creating an inclusive, accountable and high-performing team environment. Be responsible for team engagement, performance management, career development, workload prioritization and capability building to ensure the team can support regional compliance requirements and future business growth. Bridge the gap with the Logistics department by aligning compliance requirements with operational execution, shipment planning, shipment flow, broker performance, issue resolution and service-level expectations. Partner closely with Supply Chain, Finance, Legal, IT, Global Trade Compliance and APAC country teams to integrate customs compliance considerations into business planning, systems changes, cost initiatives, sourcing decisions and operational processes. Facilitate cross-functional governance forums, escalation discussions and improvement initiatives to ensure clear ownership, timely decision making and aligned execution across departments. Communicate customs priorities, risks, decisions and trade-offs in a clear and structured way to team members, senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders, ensuring transparency, alignment and timely escalation. Oversee customs-related systems, master data, files and databases relevant to import and export activities, including SAP, Infor and other trade compliance platforms. Be responsible for regional audit readiness, including preparing files, leading responses to internal audits and external customs audits, and ensuring timely remediation of findings. Oversee Free Trade Agreement utilization, duty reduction opportunities, special customs programs and other trade preference initiatives across APAC. Own regional customs data analysis, KPI reporting, duty and savings reporting, and compliance dashboards to drive informed decision making. Manage customs brokers, consultants and third-party service providers, ensuring service quality, SOP adherence, escalation management and continuous improvement. Represent VF with customs authorities and external partners where appropriate, ensuring professional, consistent and compliant communication. Drive continuous improvement, operational efficiency and scalable compliance solutions through new applications, process redesign and cross-functional collaboration. Number of Subordinates Directly Reporting to this Position: 8 customs trade compliance professionals Number of Subordinates Indirectly Reporting to this Position: As assigned through regional projects, broker governance and cross-functional compliance initiatives People Leadership Scope: Owns day-to-day and long-term leadership of the APAC customs trade compliance team, including hiring input, onboarding, coaching, performance feedback, development planning, engagement, succession planning, workload balancing and creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement. Communication is a core leadership expectation, including clear goal setting, regular one-to-one conversations, constructive feedback, active listening, transparent updates, conflict resolution and the ability to connect team members to the broader business strategy. E xperience, Education and Competency Requirements Minimum Relevant Experience: 10+ years Bachelor in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, International Trade, Customs or related discipline with 10+ years of progressive customs trade compliance experience. Strong APAC customs compliance experience, with practical knowledge of China, Japan and South Korea customs environments. Proven experience owning regional customs programs, managing audits, leading compliance transformation and working with customs authorities, brokers and consultants. Apparel, footwear, retail, consumer goods or complex supply chain industry experience is desired. Minimum People Leadership Experience: 5+ years leading professional teams, including demonstrated experience in coaching, performance management, succession planning, talent development, team engagement and leading through change in a regional or matrix environment. Internal Communication and Stakeholder Management: Partners frequently with APAC country teams, Logistics, Supply Chain, Finance, Legal, IT, Global Trade Compliance, senior management and operational leadership at all levels. The role requires strong cross-functional influence, the ability to translate customs requirements into practical business actions, and the capability to align departments around shared compliance, cost, service and risk objectives. The role also requires clear, concise and audience-appropriate communication, including the ability to explain complex customs topics to non-specialists, prepare executive updates, facilitate difficult discussions, listen to stakeholder concerns and drive decisions through fact-based communication. Required Competencies Strong people leadership skills with the ability to inspire, coach, develop, empower and hold a professional team accountable while building trust and psychological safety. Ability to set a clear team vision, translate strategy into team priorities, create alignment across countries and ensure disciplined execution through regular follow-up and feedback. Inclusive leadership style with the ability to build collaboration across cultures, create space for different perspectives and support a team operating across APAC markets. Strong talent-development mindset with the ability to identify strengths, address capability gaps, delegate effectively and prepare future leaders within the team. Strategic planning capability and ability to translate regional customs risks into clear priorities, roadmaps and measurable outcomes. Growth mindset with a continuous improvement orientation and willingness to challenge current ways of working. Ability to bridge the gap between compliance requirements and logistics execution while maintaining strong business partnership. Strong collaboration and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to build trusted partnerships across Logistics, Supply Chain, Finance, Legal, IT, Global Trade Compliance and APAC country teams. Ability to lead through influence in a matrix environment, resolve competing priorities across functions and create alignment around compliant, efficient and scalable solutions. Executive communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly, concisely and confidently across countries, cultures, functions and seniority levels, including senior leadership, operational teams and external partners. Strong leadership communication skills, including active listening, transparent decision communication, constructive feedback, conflict resolution, expectation management and the ability to motivate and align teams through change. High integrity, sound judgement and accountability for decisions impacting compliance, cost, service and reputation. Strong analytical thinking, risk assessment and problem-solving skills in a dynamic regional environment. Leadership Behaviors Change leadership and ability to guide teams through transformation, process redesign and system-enabled improvements. Trusted partner mindset with customer focus, business acumen and ability to balance compliance protection, operational efficiency, logistics execution, cost management and stakeholder expectations. Communicates with clarity, empathy and credibility, ensuring messages are tailored to the audience and that teams and stakeholders understand expectations, decisions and the rationale behind them. Resilience and composure when working under pressure, managing urgent shipment issues or responding to authority requests. Additional Requirements Deep knowledge of APAC customs processes, trade compliance controls, import/export operations and business processes. ERP and trade system knowledge, including SAP, Infor and customs compliance data management. Language skills: fluency in English required; practical knowledge of Chinese Advanced PC and reporting skills, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, e-mail, internet research and data analysis tools. Travel Required: 20-30% across APAC as business needs require. R-20260422-0002