Role
:
Trade Compliance Leader
Team:
Customs & Trade
Scope:
People
Manager, M4
Years of Experience:
10+
Location:
Ventura, CA
(Hybrid)
General
Summary
:
Owns the strategy, governance, and continuous improvement of the Company’s global trade compliance program, ensuring
compliant, resilient
, and cost-effective cross-border movement of goods. Partners with Sourcing, Product, Logistics, Finance, Legal, and IT to build an end-to-end trade strategy that
optimizes
duty and tariff exposure (within the bounds of law), strengthens supply chain security, and enables business growth. Leads the design of risk-based controls, audit/self-testing, and escalation processes; serves as a key interface with U.S. Customs and other government agencies. Drives modernization through data, automation, and AI-enabled process improvements, while coaching and developing a high-performing team of trade compliance analysts and specialists.
What
You’ll
Do
:
Serve as the Company’s primary
point
of contact with U.S. Customs and other applicable government agencies; ensure end-to-end compliance with customs laws and regulations while enabling efficient and predictable clearance. Represent the Company with the Center for Excellence and Expertise for Apparel and Footwear.
Own and evolve the Company’s Importer Self-Assessment (ISA) program, including risk assessment, controls testing, corrective action management, and executive/agency reporting; present program outcomes, trends, and remediation plans to senior leadership and U.S. Customs as
required
.
Lead the Company’s C-TPAT program, including annual security risk assessments, partner validation, training, audits, and certification/validation activities; collaborate with Supply Chain and Security partners to
maintain
and continuously improve the program.
Lead technical compliance programs for classification, valuation, origin, and entry—including governance, standard work, training, and quality controls. Maintain deep
expertise
in HTSUS interpretation (GRIs, notes, Explanatory Notes), CROSS research, and binding ruling strategy.
Create and execute a multi-year global trade strategy aligned to the Company’s sourcing and growth plans—balancing compliance, speed-to-market, cost, resilience, and brand/ESG commitments.
Identify
and lead lawful duty and tariff mitigation opportunities (e.g., tariff engineering, sourcing/manufacturing shifts, first sale, special programs, FTAs, duty drawback, U.S. Goods Returned), including feasibility assessment, documentation requirements, and sustained operating controls.
Develop tariff exposure models and “what-if” scenarios to support sourcing decisions, product design/material choices, Incoterms negotiation, and geopolitical disruption planning; translate insights into clear recommendations for senior leaders.
Lead technology modernization and AI-enabled efficiency gains across trade processes (classification/origin workflow, document review, broker entry quality, audit sampling, and exception management); define the roadmap, controls, and success metrics in partnership with IT and key vendors.
Origin: Own country-of-origin determinations and origin substantiation; manage U.S. Goods Returned, preferential trade programs/FTAs, duty drawback, and other special program eligibility with strong documentation, supplier engagement, and audit-ready records.
Valuation: Lead valuation governance (e.g., first sale, assists, related-party considerations, chargebacks/rebates, reconciliations) and partner with Finance to ensure
accurate
declarations, sustainable processes, and defensible documentation.
Entry:
Establish
entry standards and broker governance (e.g., ISF quality, pre-entry review, post-entry audit, PGA requirements) and
optimize
workflows within GT-Nexus and related systems to reduce exceptions, rework, and compliance risk.
Lead the Company’s first sale valuation program (where applicable), owning the legal/operational framework, controls, and supplier/broker enablement to support compliant use and sustained savings.
Manage
factory
relationships
with
respect
to
import
compliance
requirements.
Provide
training
and
feedback
on
their documentation and operating procedures.
Assess
and
meet
the
training
needs
of
compliance-facing
departments;
i
ncluding
IT,
Materials
Development,
Product Development,
Design,
PLMs,
Finance,
Legal
DC
Receiving
&
Production
and
Sourcing
departments.
Work
closely
with
Product Development to pre-classify all
products
and
optimize
duty rates. Conduct targeted
trainings
for direct reports, supervisors, and
vendors.
Manage
relationships
with
external
functional
partners
to
identify
and
rectify
any
information/process
gaps;
to
include
customs brokers, legal consultants, and technology vendor partners.
Monitor
global
import/export
regulatory
or
procedural
changes
that
could
impact
planning
for
import
or
related
requirements and
clearly communicate those guidelines to stakeholders during the export/import planning process.
Develop
and
maintain
internal
and
external
standard
operating
procedures
and
compliance
manuals.
Write,
review
and
enforce internal and external SOPs to manage expectations and performance of vendors and employees.
Define and report trade compliance and duty-savings KPIs (e.g., audit findings/closure rate, entry quality, cycle times, savings realized vs. plan).
Identify
automation opportunities and leverage analytics/AI responsibly to increase throughput, reduce error rates, and strengthen compliance with global trade regulations.
Maintain
professional
competence
in
compliance
of
applicable
laws;
membership
in
industry
group
such
as
ICPA
(International Compliance Professionals Association), OIA (outdoor industry Association) and AAFA (American Association of Footwear and
Apparel)
Managing
and
mentoring
a
team
of
import
compliance
professionals
by
providing
training,
goal
setting,
career
guidance
and managing absence requests and compensation/bonus reviews.
Departmental
budget
management
responsibilities
including
travel,
consulting,
outside
services,
conference
and
entertainment line items.
Who You Are
:
Strategic trade leader who connects customs requirements to business outcomes—balancing compliance, cost, service, and risk across product and supply chain decisions.
Proven people
leader
with the ability to coach, develop, and inspire teams through change; sets clear standards, builds capability, and creates a culture of continuous improvement.
Ability to influence and negotiate across all levels and functions, including with external partners (brokers, forwarders, suppliers, and counsel); exercises sound judgment, discretion, and calm decision-making in high-stakes situations.
Strong prioritization and program management skills; comfortable operating with ambiguity, using data to focus effort,
managing
multiple workstreams, and
driving
measurable outcomes.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex trade topics into clear guidance for executives and operational teams; strong analytical and interpersonal skills.
Digitally fluent and improvement-minded—able to
identify
automation opportunities, partner with IT, and responsibly apply analytics/AI tools to increase efficiency and strengthen controls.
Works well in a fast-paced environment and minimal day-to-day
supervision.
Collaborative
-
As
Yvon
Chouinard
writes
in
Let
My
People
Go
Surfing,
“Our
best
efforts
are
collaborative,
and
the
Patagonia culture rewards the ensemble player while it barely tolerates those who need the limelight.”
Experience You
Bring
:
10+ years of
general experience
in business, supply chain,
procurement
or related
field.
7+
years
of
experience
and
demonstrating
application
of
trade
compliance
knowledge
in
operational
and
compliance environment, preferably within the apparel industry.
5+
years' experience
in dealing with external government
authorities
5+ years’ experience
leveraging
technology, analytics, and automation to drive process improvements; experience evaluating and implementing AI-enabled workflow enhancements is a plus.
5+
years' experience
in
working
with
Freight
Forwarders,
Customs
Brokers,
Technology/Automation
companies,
Trade
Lawyers, and the use of INCOTERMS
3+ years of experience leading a
team.
2+ years of direct management of a compliance team or equivalent. Experience using data-driven process improvement methods, metrics, and automation (including AI-enabled tools where
appropriate)
to deliver measurable gains.
Experience
analyzing
business
problems
using
different
tools
(such
as
Microsoft
Office,
and
statistical
analysis)
bachelor's
degree from an accredited institution
required
Licensed Customs Broker strongly preferred. Equivalent experience leading large-scale importer compliance programs (ISA, CTPAT, valuation, classification, origin, and FTA governance) will also be considered.
Physical
Requirements
Ability to sit/stand for extended periods of
time.
Ability to look at a computer screen for extended periods of
time.
Ability
to
maintain
a
composed
and
professional
demeanor
within
a
flexible
and
(at
times
noisy)
work
environment. Must be able to travel internationally and domestically
utilizing
various transportation methods.
Hiring range:
$150,000 - $160,000
USD Annual
At Patagonia, pay ranges are assigned to a job based on the location specific market median of similar
jobs
according to 3rd party salary benchmark surveys. Individual pay within that range can vary for several reasons including skills/capabilities, experience, and available budget.
Benefits
Patagonia offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, retirement and leave of absence plans. Benefit plans may vary slightly depending on the nature of your employment.
Workplace Location Overview
This position is Hybrid, with a standard schedule of Tuesday - Thursday on-site and remote work on other days. Occasional
additional
office visits may be
required
for team events or critical meetings.
Employee
Conduct
It
is
the
responsibility
of
every
employee
to
contribute
to
a
positive
work
environment
through
cooperative
and
professional interactions with co-workers,
customers,
and vendors.
Equal Employment Opportunity
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.