Manager Customs

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:   Lead customs operations in Colombia to ensure compliance, product availability, and efficient cross-border trade, while optimizing costs, mitigating risks, and supporting business growth.   Key Responsibilities:   1. Customs Strategy & Risk Management:

Develop and implement the market customs strategy aligned with business growth plans, supply chain objectives, and global customs governance requirements. Assess regulatory changes and proactively define mitigation plans to minimize business disruption and compliance risks. Monitor inbound shipments and customs activities to ensure timely product availability and alignment with business priorities. Ensure the accuracy, completeness, timely submission, and proper retention of import and export documentation in accordance with customs regulations and company requirements. Supervise customs clearance processes to ensure on-time release of goods and delivery to the distribution center. Monitor customs valuation, tariff classification, and origin determination processes to ensure compliance and duty optimization. Develop and communicate customs performance reports, providing visibility of operational performance, risks, and opportunities to key stakeholders. Ensure the implementation and maintenance of customs controls and internal governance processes.

2. Stakeholder & Authority Management

Build and maintain effective relationships with customs authorities, government agencies, trade associations, and key external stakeholders to support compliant and efficient trade operations. Partner with Global Customs, Supply Chain, Tax, Legal, Finance, and Commercial teams to support business objectives and ensure effective customs governance. Ensure compliance with local customs regulations, trade requirements, and adidas global policies. Support and manage customs audits, and customs authority inquiries. Coordinate customs brokers and other service providers according to business priorities and operational requirements. Establish and monitor KPIs to evaluate customs broker performance, customs lead times, compliance, and service quality.

3. Team Leadership & Capability Development

Lead, coach, and develop the Customs team, ensuring appropriate capabilities, succession planning, and a culture of compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement. Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance customs processes, reduce clearance lead times, increase visibility, and improve operational efficiency.

4. Financial Accountability

Manage and control the customs operations budget, ensuring effective cost management and identification of savings opportunities. Coordinate with Accounting, Finance, and Treasury teams to ensure the timely payment of duties, taxes, and customs-related costs. Identify and implement opportunities to optimize duty costs and maximize the utilization of applicable Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

5. Trade Compliance Governance

Ensure the effectiveness of customs compliance programs through periodic controls, self-assessment, monitoring activities, and corrective action plans. Identify customs compliance risks and implement appropriate corrective and preventive measures. Ensure compliance with local labeling requirements and other import regulatory requirements applicable to products. Maintain and oversee the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certification, including recertifications, compliance monitoring, and implementation of required controls.

6. Business Continuity and Continuous improvement

Develop contingency plans and coordinate response actions to customs disruptions, regulatory changes, port congestion, or other events impacting product availability. Support automation and digitalization initiatives related to customs and trade compliance processes.

Purchasing, Global Customs, Internal Control, Order Fulfilment, Accounting,