Senior Brokerage Manager / VP
Location: Chicago, IL or Charleston, SC
Job Type: Full-Time
Compensation: $120,000 – $130,000 base salary + performance bonus
About the Role
We are seeking a Senior Brokerage Manager / VP of Customs Brokerage to lead and scale our U.S. customs brokerage operations. This individual will act as the Corporate License Qualifier and National Permit Holder, with full responsibility for compliance, operations, and profitability across multiple U.S. locations.
This is a high-impact leadership role for someone who combines deep regulatory expertise with strong operational and commercial acumen.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Oversight
- Lead and manage all U.S. Customs Brokerage departments across multiple branches
- Act as Corporate License Qualifier / National Permit Holder
- Serve as the product owner for customs brokerage operations and compliance
- Partner with district managers to drive performance and alignment
Compliance & Regulatory Management
- Ensure compliance with all U.S. Customs regulations, including 19 CFR Part 18 (in-bond)
- Maintain and enforce the Responsible Supervision & Control Plan
- Mitigate penalties, liquidated damages, and audit risks
- Oversee compliance across:
- In-bond entries
- Advanced cargo declarations
- FTZ activities
- CFS and bonded warehouse operations
- Ensure compliance with regulatory bodies including:
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Federal Maritime Commission
- Transportation Security Administration
- Food and Drug Administration
- National Motor Freight Traffic Association
Operations & Systems
- Own and manage the ACE portal, including:
- ES reports, reject reports, CF 28/29 reports
- Census warning and carrier in-bond reports
- Oversee customs bonds (C1–C4) and FMC bonds (FF & NVOCC)
- Review and approve Powers of Attorney (POAs)
- Conduct entry audits and ensure accuracy and compliance
Financial & Commercial Responsibility
- Own the P&L for the Customs Brokerage product
- Support district managers in maximizing profitability
- Develop pricing strategies and quote brokerage services
- Drive efficiency and margin improvement initiatives
Trade Compliance Expertise
- File Protests and Post Summary Corrections (PSC)
- Request Binding Rulings (classification, COO, etc.)
- Ensure SOPs are current and compliant with all U.S. Customs regulations
Training & Development
- Develop and implement structured training programs (OJT)
- Train teams on compliance, in-bond processing, and trade regulations
- Conduct mid-year and annual performance reviews
- Mentor managers and build a strong compliance culture
Customer & Stakeholder Engagement
- Lead compliance calls for global accounts
- Serve as escalation point for complex customs issues
- Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction and advisory support
Qualifications
- Licensed U.S. Customs Broker (Required)
- Experience as Corporate License Qualifier / National Permit Holder strongly preferred
- 10+ years of customs brokerage experience, including leadership roles
- Strong knowledge of:
- ACE systems
- In-bond regulations (19 CFR Part 18)
- FTZ and bonded warehouse operations
- Experience with C-TPAT programs and portal
- Proven experience managing multi-site operations and P&L
- Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
Why Join
- Executive-level role with full ownership of a key business unit
- Opportunity to shape and grow U.S. brokerage operations
- High visibility with leadership and global clients
- Competitive base salary + bonus potential
