Lead Specialist - Trade Compliance, Import

About GlobalFoundries:
GlobalFoundries is a leading full-service semiconductor foundry providing a unique combination of design, development, and fabrication services to some of the world’s most inspired technology companies. With a global manufacturing footprint spanning three continents, GlobalFoundries makes possible the technologies and systems that transform industries and give customers the power to shape their markets. For more information, visit www.gf.com.
Summary of Role:
Based in Malta, NY, the Lead Global Trade Compliance Specialist will lead export and import operations, regulatory risk management, trade strategy, and policy developments that impact the semiconductor industry. This Lead Specialist will work in Global Trade Compliance with other team members and cross-functional partners to support and execute compliant global business operations while being a Subject Matter Expert (SME) of customs, export controls, sanctions, supply chain processes, and international trade developments.
Essential Responsibilities:
Own day-to-day import compliance execution and provide timely, practical guidance to business teams, logistics, customs brokers, freight forwarders, suppliers, and service providers
Conduct routine, risk-based audits of customs broker entries to verify the accuracy of tariff classification, customs valuation, country of origin, duty treatment, special tariff applicability, and supporting documentation; investigate discrepancies and drive timely corrective action
Develop, maintain, and continuously improve import compliance procedures, records, controls, and operating practices across applicable sites
Lead and oversee Foreign-Trade Zone feasibility effort, including admissions, withdrawals, inventory controls, reconciliations, audits, and coordination with site teams, brokers, service providers, and government agencies
Advise on customs valuation, tariff classification, country of origin, duty impact, Section 301 and Section 232 measures, exclusions, and lawful duty-mitigation opportunities
Lead or materially support the company’s CTPAT program, including security-profile maintenance, risk assessments, validations, corrective actions, and cross-functional stakeholder coordination
Assess internal controls, identify root causes and compliance gaps, and drive sustainable corrective and preventive actions
Prepare, review, or coordinate responses, prior disclosures, protests, data requests, and other submissions to U.S. Customs and Border Protection or other regulatory authorities
Translate complex trade requirements into clear, actionable guidance, decision frameworks, and operating requirements for internal stakeholders
Provide targeted export-operations support, including shipment review, documentation, screening support, issue resolution, and escalation of compliance concerns
Use data, metrics, and trend analysis to identify risk, improve controls, reduce avoidable duties and delays, and measure program effectiveness
Lead cross-functional trade compliance projects and contribute to broader Global Trade Compliance initiatives, systems enhancements, and process transformation
Design and deliver training and practical guidance for business partners on import and export compliance requirements
Perform all work safely, ethically, and in accordance with applicable company requirements
Role Expectations
Operate with a high degree of independence and accountability across import compliance, customs operations, tariff matters, possible future FTZ evaluation and activity, CTPAT, and periodic export-operations support
Apply sound judgment to interpret requirements, evaluate facts, assess risk, and recommend practical, defensible solutions
Lead resolution of complex operational issues and implement durable improvements to processes, systems, and controls
Manage competing priorities, exercise urgency when required, and maintain quality in a fast-paced environment
Develop recommendations that may materially affect operations, costs, customers, and cross-functional processes, and communicate tradeoffs clearly to decision-makers
Collaboration and Communication
Build trusted working relationships with internal teams, external partners, customs brokers, and regulatory authorities
Partner effectively with logistics, supply chain, procurement, finance, tax, legal, security, site operations, information technology, and business teams
Communicate complex trade compliance requirements clearly to technical and nontechnical audiences at varying levels of the organization
Present findings, risk assessments, options, and recommendations to functional and business leadership
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, international business, logistics, finance, business administration, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
Advanced working knowledge of U.S. import regulations, customs operations, internal controls, and recordkeeping requirements
Demonstrated ability to lead projects, coordinate cross-functional work, influence without direct authority, and guide business partners or less-experienced colleagues
Strong analytical, investigative, problem-solving, and written and verbal communication skills
Ability to manage competing priorities, work independently, and drive complex issues to timely resolution
Professional fluency in written and spoken English
Proficiency with trade compliance, customs, ERP, and data-analysis tools; ability to learn and apply new systems quickly
Preferred Qualifications:
U.S. Licensed Customs Broker; Certified Customs Specialist or another relevant trade-compliance credential is a plus
Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in trade compliance, customs, import operations, or customs brokerage
Demonstrated experience managing international transportation and logistics operations, including carrier and freight-forwarder coordination, shipment execution, routing, documentation, cost management, and resolution of cross-border delivery issues
Semiconductor industry experience or experience in another highly regulated, technology-focused manufacturing environment
Hands-on experience with Foreign-Trade Zone operations, controls, reconciliations, and regulatory requirements
Experience with Section 301 and Section 232 measures, including tariff classification, exclusions, duty impact analysis, and mitigation strategies
Experience managing or materially supporting a CTPAT program, including validations and corrective actions
Experience supporting export operations, including shipment execution, documentation, issue resolution, and compliance escalations
Experience working effectively in a global, matrixed organization across multiple sites and functions
Expected Salary Range
$107,000.00 - $178,000.00
The exact Salary will be determined based on qualifications, experience and location.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at usaccommodations@gf.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.
An offer with GlobalFoundries is conditioned upon the successful completion of pre-employment conditions, as applicable, and subject to applicable laws and regulations.
GlobalFoundries is fully committed to equal opportunity in the workplace and believes that cultural diversity within the company enhances its business potential. GlobalFoundries goal of excellence in business necessitates the attraction and retention of highly qualified people. Artificial barriers and stereotypic biases detract from this objective and may be illegally discriminatory.
All policies and processes which pertain to employees including recruitment, selection, training, utilization, promotion, compensation, benefits, extracurricular programs, and termination are created and implemented without regard to age, ethnicity, ancestry, color, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion, political and/or third-party affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other characteristic or category specified by local, state or federal law