Director of Trade Compliance - North America (United States, Canada & Mexico)

Company Description

Who is Senior plc?
Senior plc is an international, market-leading, engineering solutions provider with 21 operational business in 10 countries. Senior designs, manufactures and markets high-technology components and systems for the principal original equipment producers in the worldwide aerospace, defense, land vehicle and power & energy markets. The Group is split into two divisions, Aerospace and Flexonics, servicing five key sectors.
Safety - Integrity - Customer Focus - Respect & Trust - Accountability - Excellence

Job Description

Senior plc is a global manufacturer of high technology fluid conveyance and thermal management components and systems principally for OEMs in the aerospace & defense, land vehicle, and power & energy markets. Operating through 21 businesses across 10 countries, Senior is organized into two divisions—Aerospace and Flexonics—and is known for its decentralized, entrepreneurial culture rooted in accountability, operational excellence, and strong governance.
The Opportunity
Senior plc is seeking a Director of Trade Compliance – North America to provide strategic and operational compliance leadership across U.S., Canadian, and Mexican operations. This is a hands-on leadership role with principal responsibility for export, import, customs, and trade compliance programs, supporting both commercial and defense-related activities.
This role also serves as the company’s Empowered Official (EO) under U.S. export control law (ITAR), holding legal authority for export authorizations and certifications related to defense and aerospace programs. The position partners closely with executive leadership and operating businesses to enable compliant, sustainable growth.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic & Operational Leadership
Lead the North American Trade Compliance program aligned with global governance and risk frameworks
Serve as the regional subject matter expert on international trade and regulatory compliance
Advise executive leadership and brief the Board as required on compliance performance, risks, and remediation
Export, Import & Customs Compliance
Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, including:U.S.: ITAR, EAR, OFAC, CBP, ACE, CTPAT/OEA.
Canada: CGP, CBSA, Export Control List
Mexico: SAT, VUCEM, IMMEX Maquiladora program management

Oversee licensing, classification, valuation, documentation, and recordkeeping
Deliver training and compliance awareness across all levels of the organization
Trade Agreements & Optimization
Lead compliance and optimization under CUSMA / USMCA / T-MEC
Direct HTS classification, valuation, including the Reconciliation program, broker oversight, and duty recovery initiatives such as Chapter 98, FTZ and Bonded Whse opportunities.
Advise supply chain and procurement on landed cost, MFN tariff engineering, Section 301, 232, 122 and IEEPA tariffs and trade strategy
Empowered Official (ITAR)
Act as the designated Empowered Official under 22 CFR §120.25
Hold signing and certification authority for U.S. export licenses, TAAs, MLAs, and related authorizations
Exercise independent legal judgment to approve or deny export and re-export transactions
Serve as primary liaison with DDTC, BIS, OFAC, and other U.S. government agencies
Team Leadership & Program Development
Lead and mentor trade compliance professionals across the region
Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and internal controls
Implement automation and digital tools for licensing, audits, and analytics
Monitor regulatory changes and ensure timely implementation
Auditing, Risk & Governance
Conduct compliance audits across all North American sites
Develop standardized audit tools, metrics, and corrective action tracking
Support internal audit alignment, voluntary disclosures, and regulatory remediation
Lead trade compliance due diligence for M&A and business integrations

Qualifications

Qualifications & Experience
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Law, Supply Chain, or International Trade
Minimum of 10 years of progressive trade compliance leadership across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico
Deep expertise in ITAR, EAR, OFAC, CBSA, SAT, and CUSMA/USMCA/T-MEC
Experience with ACE (U.S.), CARM (Canada), and VUCEM (Mexico)
Recognized Empowered Official (EO) under ITAR with defense/aerospace experience
Proven experience auditing trade compliance programs and leading corrective actions
Multi-industry background (e.g., aerospace, defense, land vehicles, oil & gas, medical devices)
Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
Core Competencies
Highly analytical and detail-oriented
Decisive, ethical leader with strong regulatory judgment
Collaborative and hands-on leadership style
Adaptable and resilient in complex regulatory environments
Strategic and credible executive communicator

Additional Information

Location & Travel
Location: Remote, hybrid, or on-site (flexible)
Travel: Approximately 15–25% across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and occasional global travel

Trade Compliance Statement Access to our facilities is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to U.S. Persons (U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents, U.S. Nationals, U.S. refugees, asylees, or temporary residents under amnesty provisions ), and to properly licensed foreign persons. Applicants receiving a conditional offer of employment will be required to provide information to determine whether they are subject to these regulations and, if so, to assess their country of chargeability for export control purposes. Additionally, potential employee names will be screened against the Consolidated Screening List (maintained by the United States government) to determine eligibility to receive controlled technical data.
To ensure there is no unexpected delay to your start date with our Company and due to the potential need to obtain an export license, we would like to promptly assess whether such a license is needed to access our facility and/or systems. Such licenses can take several weeks/months to obtain from the U.S. Government. Our Trade Compliance department may reach out to you with a Licensing Assessment form, which we request you kindly complete and return as soon as possible.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. EOE M/F/D/V/VEVRAA Federal Contractor