Customs & Trade Operations Team Lead

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day.

With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability.

The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables.

As a globally inclusive and diverse company, Eastman employs approximately 14,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries.

The company had 2023 revenue of approximately $9.2 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com .

Role Profile

The Customs & Trade Operations Team Lead leads the NAR Customs and Trade Operations department. This individual has a depth and breadth of knowledge and experience in customs matters, import / export regulations and dealing with government authorities.

The role requires an ability to work independently, interpret internal / external business challenges, and maintain objective and organized under demanding circumstances.

Excellent communication and research skills are used to communicate complex information and negotiate others to adopt different viewpoints.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and safeguard all NAR CTO related customs processes within the organization, ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.
• Develop relationships with customs authorities, acting as primary contact for their requests.
• Advise internal departments and customers of new and revised customs procedures.
• Liaise with customs house brokers to ensure customs compliance, including implementing new processes, systems, and procedures.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including customs authorities, logistics providers and other departments within the company.
• Supports local customs audits.
• Maintain Standard Operating procedures.
• Maintain good working relationships within the logistics departments, global trade compliance and others.
• Facilitate compliant US and Canada import transactions.
• Help establish business plans and processes to address new regulations that impact US or Canadian imports.
• Provide reporting and analysis of import data as needed.
• Stewardship of duty drawback programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Experience in international trade / export management / logistics / transport planning
• Driven toward results / Strong personal accountability
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize work in an efficient manner to balance urgent and non-urgent but important tasks
• Strong written, listening and verbal communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to continually adapt in a rapidly changing environment
• Good analytical skills, ability to analyze, summarize and present facts and findings
• Detail oriented
• Customer focused
• Ability to use insightful judgment to make sound decisions
• Proficient in SAP, Microsoft Office, Data Analytics

Eastman Chemical Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, pregnancy, veteran status or any other protected classes as designated by law.

Eastman is committed to creating a powerfully diverse workforce and a broadly inclusive workplace, where everyone can contribute to their fullest potential each day.