FTZ Administrator

The  FTZ Administrator will be a key player in the day-to-day management and compliance of our Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) operations reporting to the Global Trade Operations Manager. This role is critical in ensuring the efficient flow of goods, minimizing duty costs, and maintaining strict adherence to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations. A significant part of this role will also involve providing expert support for the implementation and optimization of our FTZ software system. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with a strong understanding of FTZ procedures, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to work independently in a remote environment while supporting a major project.

Responsibilities

• FTZ Operations Management: Oversee all inbound and outbound FTZ transactions, including admissions, withdrawals, and inventory reconciliation.
• FTZ Software Implementation Support:
  • Act as a subject matter expert during the implementation of a new FTZ software system.
  • Assist in defining business requirements, testing functionalities, and validating data migration.
  • Collaborate with IT and external vendors to ensure the software meets operational and compliance needs.
  • Participate in user acceptance testing (UAT) and provide feedback for system enhancements.
• Inventory Control: Maintain accurate FTZ inventory records, ensuring all admissions and withdrawals are properly documented and tracked.
• Compliance & Reporting: Prepare and submit all required reports to CBP, including the FTZ e214 (Admission) and e3461 (Withdrawal) filings. Provide Monthly KPI reports.  b Ensure timely and accurate filing of the Annual Inventory Report (AIP).
• Audit & Reconciliation: Conduct regular internal audits of FTZ records to identify and correct discrepancies. Reconcile FTZ inventory with company ERP/WMS systems.
• Documentation: Maintain comprehensive and organized records for all FTZ-related activities, including bills of lading, commercial invoices, and entry summaries.
• Problem Resolution: Investigate and resolve issues related to FTZ entries, withdrawals, and inventory discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Policy & Procedure: Assist in the development, implementation, and maintenance of FTZ policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure compliance and efficiency, particularly as they relate to the new software system.
• Communication: Serve as the primary point of contact for internal stakeholders (e.g., warehouse, logistics, finance) and external partners (e.g., customs brokers, CBP, software vendors) on all FTZ matters.
• Training: Develop training materials and provide guidance to internal teams on FTZ policies and procedures, including the use of the new software system.
• Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date on changes to FTZ regulations and CBP policies.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, International Business, or a related field preferred.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of 2 - 5 years of experience in logistics, supply chain, or international trade.
  • Proven experience with Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) operations and compliance is a must.
  • LCB preferred
  • Hands-on experience with FTZ software systems, preferably QAD (e.g., SmartZone, TradeStone, Integration Point, etc.) and a demonstrated ability to support system implementations or major upgrades is highly desirable.