Customs and Trade Manager Mexico

About the Role 

The Customs and Trade Manager Mexico is responsible for the overall management, governance, and compliance of customs and trade activities across Mexico, with a strong focus on IMMEX (Maquila) operations. This role ensures compliance with customs, tax, foreign trade, and inventory control requirements while supporting business continuity, operational excellence, and cost optimization. The position serves as the key liaison between business functions and Mexican authorities, helping maintain IMMEX benefits, audit readiness, and regulatory compliance across all Mexico sites. 

Key Responsibilities Include 

• Lead day-to-day IMMEX/Maquila operations, including temporary imports and exports, virtual operations, inventory balances, permits, certifications, and compliance calendars. 

• Ensure accurate and timely Annex 24 inventory control and Annex 30 VAT certification reporting, including reconciliations and discrepancy resolution. 

• Oversee customs brokers, pedimentos, HS classification, valuation, origin management, documentation quality, KPI monitoring, and corrective actions. 

• Coordinate with Finance and Tax teams to manage VAT and duty exposure, tax obligations, audit support, accruals, payment tracking, and risk mitigation. 

• Act as the primary company contact with ANAM, SAT, the Ministry of Economy, and other regulatory agencies during audits, inspections, renewals, and compliance requests. 

• Translate regulatory requirements into practical processes across Operations, Logistics, Finance, Tax, Legal, IT, and Global Customs & Trade teams. 

• Maintain customs and trade risk registers, lead internal and external audits, close findings, and strengthen internal controls. 

• Drive continuous improvement, automation, digitalization, and compliance-enhancing initiatives across customs and trade processes. 

• Manage and develop the local customs and trade team on a day-to-day basis. 

About You 

• Bachelor’s degree in International Trade, Customs, Law, Finance, Accounting, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field is required. 

• Master’s degree or customs/trade certification is preferred. 

• 8-12+ years of experience in customs and trade, with strong exposure to IMMEX/Maquila operations, customs compliance, foreign trade, tax/VAT, or manufacturing supply chains. 

• 3-5+ years of leadership experience managing teams and/or cross-functional programs. 

• Deep knowledge of Mexican Customs Law, RGCE, IMMEX Decree, Annex 24, Annex 30, VAT certification, pedimentos, HS classification, valuation, origin, and customs audits. 

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex regulations and data. 

• Strong stakeholder management, influencing, and cross-functional collaboration skills. 

• Fluency in Spanish and English, with excellent verbal and written communication skills. 

• Experience with Microsoft 365 is required; SAP/ERP and customs systems experience is preferred.