Senior Director Customs Compliance (m/f/d)

About the role

Adidas is looking for a Senior Director of Customs Compliance to lead its global customs compliance function, ensuring full compliance with customs legislation while streamlining processes for maximum efficiency. The role covers a global annual duty cost of EUR1.4bn and involves managing or supporting Global Customs' involvement in supply chain and technology projects. The position requires extensive travel.

Key responsibilities

• Manage Global Customs functional teams and ensure high standards of compliance and performance in tariff classification, preferential duties, customs valuation, audits, legal disputes and customs product development.
• Review duty paid by country and identify opportunities to mitigate or delay costs, focusing on the top 10 countries by annual duty paid.
• Manage customs risks (valuation, preference and classification), support global customs audits, maintain the customs risk register reported to the Board, and manage active audits and ongoing legal disputes.
• Manage a network of external attorneys for audits and disputes.
• Shape and optimise customs processes across functions to reduce costs while staying compliant, and maintain relationships with local customs teams.
• Support markets in obtaining and retaining supply chain security status (AEO, C-TPAT) and maintain the AEO status of adidas; review breaches of supply chain security arrangements.
• Maintain master customs manuals, conduct compliance reviews with local teams, give feedback to Market Heads and offer technical expertise on accreditations and broker selection.
• Manage claims to preference (around EUR500m savings per year) and liaise with Sourcing on allocation strategies.
• Lead ad hoc projects, representing adidas on International Trade and Customs committees.

Required profile

• 10 years of relevant experience in customs-related functions.
• University-level education or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience of stakeholder management up to Board level, compliance reviews, negotiating with customs authorities globally, and managing and developing staff.
• Excellent written and spoken English in a cross-cultural environment.
• Ability and willingness to travel is essential.

Required skills

• In-depth knowledge of global customs legislation on valuation, classification, special trade programmes, customs procedures and supply chain security.
• Strong research, writing, communication and analytical skills.