Director, Customs & Import Accounting

Job Description Position: Director, Custom Imports Payable

Location: Brampton, ON

Company Description

Hudson’s Bay Company is one of the fastest-growing department store retailers in the world.  In North America, HBC’s leading banners include Hudson’s Bay, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, Gilt, Saks OFF 5TH, Find @ Lord & Taylor, and Home Outfitters. In Europe, HBC’s banners include GALERIA Kaufhof (the largest department store group in Germany), Galeria INNO (Belgium’s only department store group), and SportArena. At HBC we are a company of adventurers who explore uncharted territory, challenge convention, and work with imagination and fun.   

Major Responsibilities

Develops, maintains, and promulgates Imports Payable & Customs Accounting policies, procedures, and practices for the company.   Maintains a data system which ensures the central point of cognizance in determining what is being imported by commodity, country of origin, tariff, currency, cost, quantity and supplier/source.  Provides staff support which ensures a full-service capability to deal with all Customs issues. Works closely with merchandise personnel at all levels in the operating groups and divisions.  Establish a monitoring system for all import shipments to ensure company’s import merchandise is customs cleared and merchants receive product intact and on time. Act as Key Subject Matter (SME) Expert and company representative to senior management, merchandisers, company legal counsel, government representatives and others on matters related to the department.  Act as central point of contact for dissemination of information to both Internal and External Auditors.   Maintains a strategic awareness and macro-overview of domestic and international trends, FTA’s, risks, issues and management concepts related to the function.  Develops contacts with industrial counterparts, trade associations, and suppliers in assessing the importation of merchandise to Canada and developing company strategy, both short-range and long-range.

Role responsibilities include:

1. Ensure that all imported merchandise passing through Canada Customs are released and delivered to the respective warehouses on a timely basis without impact to the overall company’s operation.
2. Manage, direct, motivate and develop team members.
3. Direct and support the Accounting function.
4. Administer and enforce NAFTA, and other Free Trade Agreements and ensure that imported and exported goods for which NAFTA referential and FTA is claimed and entitled.
5. Manage Internal Controls for customs audits, from CBSA, Bank Auditors and Internal Auditors.
6. Formulate and implement all import and export Customs and Accounting strategies. Ensure compliance to all government regulations on an ongoing basis.
7. Ensure developed processes and procedures are consistent with the CBSA regulations.
8. Work closely with customs brokers, freight forwarders, Couriers regarding service levels and provide input to the Logistics team to facilitate annual negotiation of rates and service levels.
9. Validate and confirm accurate calculation and payment of duties and customs fees by service providers and internal staff.
10. Drive efficiency, accuracy and compliance of customs processes.
11. Monitor and work in conjunction with third party consultant to obtain any duty drawback on company’s imports and exports programs.
12. Conduct and ensure all customs entries are internally audited for Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) and other compliance issues.
13. Provide strategic and tactical direction including personnel management to a large group staff with varying backgrounds, skills and experience.
14. Works very closely at all levels with the buying, supply chain management, accounting, finance, distribution centres, logistics, operating groups, internal/external auditors, other divisions, suppliers, banks, freight forwarders, consultants and senior management to ensure that there is continuity and full integration of import functions.
15. Keep constantly apprised of potential risks that could impact/impede the flow of incoming merchandise and take prompt action to mitigate these said risks. 

Qualifications:

•   Bachelor of Commerce with major specialization in Customs Trade.complemented with a CMA or CGA designation
•   In addition to the above qualifications the candidate should also possess and or demonstrate that they are pursuing studies to obtain a) Customs Professional, b) International Trade Specialist and c) Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) diplomas/designation accredited by one of the Canadian Colleges
•   10-12 years of in depth knowledge and experience in Customs & international  inbound Cargo freight (clearance) at a senior management level
• 10-12 years experience and knowledge in importing  from  Asia, Europe and South America
•  In depth knowledge of Customs regulatory compliance, policies and procedures.
•   Established relationships with key personnel at both Industry and CBSA
• Ability to work under pressure and constant deadlines within a fast paced environment
• Good Computer proficiency
• read, write and speak English fluently 

  Management Skills:

o   Builds effective and responsive interpersonal relationships both within and outside department.

o   Understands the financial aspectsof the business and sets goals and measures and documents staff progress and success.

o   Knows how to create an environmentin which people of varying backgrounds and ethnicity, experience positive morale and recognition.

o   Strong work ethic, attitude, knowledge and skills; including a very high display of professionalism in dealing with his/her staff, peers, management and outside contacts