Senior Trade Compliance Specialist

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Why Join Finning?

At Finning, we operate at scale across borders, products, and regulatory environments—making trade compliance a critical business enabler. In this role, you’ll have:

• Enterprise‑level impact across multiple business entities

• Autonomy to shape strategy, process, and governance

• Direct interaction with CBSA, CBP, brokers, consultants, and OEM partners

• The opportunity to mentor and elevate technical capability across the Trade Compliance team

What You’ll Do

Trade Compliance Leadership & Process Ownership (≈85%)

• Own and govern all customs compliance processes across Finning entities, ensuring alignment with current CBSA and CBP regulations

• Act as the senior technical expert for Canadian and U.S. customs matters, including:

  • Tariff classification & valuation

  • Origin determination & USMCA qualification

  • SIMA, surtax, PGAs, export controls, and duty programs

• Independently manage high‑complexity HS classification, including new product introductions, kits and assemblies, tariff shifts, and multi‑program eligibility reviews

• Provide strategic guidance on tariff changes, SIMA applicability, valuation adjustments, and regulatory developments

• Own and govern the USMCA qualification and review process for manufactured and remanufactured products

• Manage Finning’s CARM account, ensuring compliance, financial security, and system accuracy

• Lead detailed audits of broker entries, classifications, valuations, and origin documentation to identify risks and drive corrective action

• Serve as Finning’s primary technical contact with CBSA, CBP, customs brokers, Caterpillar, and external advisors

• Design and implement process improvements and compliance frameworks that enhance accuracy, efficiency, and risk mitigation

• Provide advanced technical mentorship to Trade Compliance Specialists, reducing reliance on management for complex decisions

Duty Recovery & Cost Optimization (≈10%)

• Lead technical analysis to identify duty recovery, conditional relief, drawback, and end‑use opportunities

• Evaluate parts, assemblies, and product families to determine program eligibility and compliance requirements

• Partner with Caterpillar and customs consultants on complex recovery initiatives

• Analyze sales and part‑level data to ensure recovery claims are audit‑ready

• Quantify financial impact and clearly communicate duty savings opportunities to the business

Operational Escalation & Risk Management (≈5%)

• Act as the primary escalation point for high‑risk and high‑value trade issues, including SIMA scope, PGAs, temporary imports, CERS, export controls, and valuation disputes

• Review and approve classification, valuation, and duty accuracy for high‑value vendor invoices

• Provide hands‑on support during urgent or business‑critical shipments

• Coordinate with Treasury on customs bonds and duty payments to prevent financial exposure

What You’ll Be Accountable For

• Maintaining expert‑level knowledge of Canadian and U.S. trade regulations

• Translating regulatory change into clear, actionable guidance

• Proactively identifying compliance risks and implementing mitigation plans

• Delivering data‑driven insights, reports, and recommendations to stakeholders

• Acting as a trusted internal consultant and thought partner to the business

• Supporting continuous improvement, SOP development, and best practices

• Safeguarding Finning against penalties, delays, and reputational risk

What You Bring

Skills & Capabilities

• Strategic thinker with strong independent judgment and decision‑making ability

• Highly analytical with exceptional attention to detail

• Clear, confident communicator with strong presentation and training skills

• Collaborative influencer able to drive change across functions

• High ethical standards and the confidence to advocate for compliance

Technical Knowledge & Expertise

• Deep expertise in Canadian and U.S. customs regulations, tariff schedules, GIRs, D‑Memos, WCO notes, SIMA, valuation, and surtax

• Advanced understanding of USMCA and free trade agreement qualification

• Strong knowledge of HS codes, ECCNs, ECL, and export controls

• Experience with duty recovery and minimization programs

• Familiarity with PGAs (EPA, FDA, CFIA, DOT, HC, CGP, Environment Canada)

• Solid understanding of supply chain, logistics, reverse logistics, and INCOTERMS

• Proven ability to lead audits, amendments, and ruling‑based decisions

Education & Experience

• Diploma or degree in International Trade, Logistics, Business, or related field

• 10+ years of experience in customs, trade compliance, export controls, and duty recovery

• Professional certifications (or working toward):

  • Certified Customs Specialist

  • Certified Trade Compliance Specialist

  • Customs Export Specialist

• Experience with CARM and Single Window (strong asset)

• CITP / FIBP as an asset

• Experience writing ruling requests and responding to ruling decisions

• Familiarity with U.S. export regulations, AES filings, and reporting

• Licensed Customs Broker or Control Goods Program experience (asset)

• Strong proficiency in Excel and Power BI, including reporting, pivots, and data analysis

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you’re a seasoned trade compliance professional who enjoys solving complex problems, influencing at scale, and protecting the business while enabling growth, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today and help shape the future of trade compliance at Finning Canada.

At Finning, we prioritize creating a diverse and inclusive environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we actively encourage all individuals to express themselves and achieve their full potential. As a company, we continuously strive to enhance our outreach to individuals of all backgrounds and identities. We do not discriminate against applicants based on gender identity, race, national and ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, marital and family status, and/or mental or physical disabilities. Furthermore, Finning is committed to collaborating with and providing reasonable accommodations /adjustments to individuals with disabilities. If you require an adjustment/accommodation at any point during the recruitment process, please inform your recruiter.