Lead Customs Specialist
US Department of Operations
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: US-California-San Jose
Compensation: $110,200 - $151,500 per year
Description
The Customs Specialist supports customs operations execution across the Americas, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely import, export, and in-bond activities within a highly regulated medical device supply chain. This role is a senior individual contributor, applying experience and judgment to resolve complex customs issues, support broker interactions, and ensure high-quality customs data and documentation.
The Customs Specialist works closely with Logistics, Trade Compliance, Finance, and external customs brokers to support on-time delivery, cost control, and regulatory compliance. The role is responsible for execution and problem resolution within assigned scope. Trade Compliance retains accountability for policy interpretation, regulatory strategy, and engagement with authorities.
Role Expectations
Customs Operations Execution • Execute and support import, export, and in-bond customs activities across the Americas. • Prepare, review, and validate customs documentation and data to support accurate and timely clearance. • Monitor shipments for customs exceptions, holds, or inspections, and take action to support resolution. • Support multi-leg parcel shipments and coordination with carriers and customs brokers. • Apply sound judgment to resolve complex or ambiguous customs issues within established procedures.
Broker & Partner Support • Work directly with customs brokers to ensure accurate filings and adherence to established procedures. • Identify filing errors, data quality issues, and recurring trends, and support corrective actions. • Escalate recurring issues, systemic risks, or potential compliance concerns to the Sr. Manager Logistics Americas. • Support broker performance improvement initiatives led by management.
Compliance & Regulatory Execution • Execute customs activities in compliance with customs, tax, and trade regulations. • Apply established operational controls for classification, valuation, country of origin, and record retention. • Support internal and external audits, post-entry reviews, and customs inquiries. • Follow sanctions screening, licensing, and regulatory requirements as directed by Trade Compliance.
Data Systems & Documentation • Use SAP S4HANA customs broker platforms and carrier systems to support customs execution. • Maintain accurate customs data, documentation, and records in accordance with policy and audit requirements. • Support testing and validation of system or process changes impacting customs filings or documentation. • Use reports and data to identify discrepancies, trends, and improvement opportunities.
Cost & Duty Support • Support monitoring of duty, tax, and brokerage costs, and assist with variance analysis. • Assist with FTA, USMCA documentation, and preferential duty utilization where applicable. • Help prevent rework, post-entry corrections, penalties, and double duty exposure through accurate execution.
Continuous Improvement & Digital Enablement • Identify opportunities to improve customs processes, accuracy, and cycle times. • Apply structured problem-solving to resolve recurring customs issues. • Demonstrate curiosity and openness to AI and digital tools to improve efficiency, accuracy, and data quality. • Share improvement ideas and best practices with the broader logistics and trade team.
Education • Bachelors degree in Supply Chain, International Trade, Logistics, or a related field.
Experience • Typically 7 years of hands-on customs operations experience with demonstrated ability to resolve complex, ambiguous customs issues independently. • Experience working with customs brokers, carriers, and cross-functional partners. • Experience in regulated industries, medical devices manufacturing, or pharma preferred.
Systems & Tools • Working knowledge of SAP S4HANA and customs broker platforms. • Strong Excel data review and documentation skills.
Languages • Fluent in English, written and spoken, with additional languages a plus.
Pay Transparency If provided, base salary or wage rate ranges are the range in which Align reasonably expects to set a candidates pay for the posted position. Actual placement depends on the individual skills and experience level of a candidate, plus the total compensation and equity across team members.
General Description of All Benefits
Align offers the following benefits to full-time employees in this position:
Family Benefits • Medical with a Health Savings Account option for some plan offerings • Dental and vision in accordance with those plans • Align also offers to employees and their eligible dependents: • Discounts on Invisalign and Vivera • Back-up Child and Elder Care • Family Forming Benefits • Breast Milk Delivery and Lactation Support Services • Employee Assistance Program • Hinge Health Virtual Physical Therapy • Short-term and long-term disability insurance • Basic Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment • Voluntary Supplemental Life Insurance • Flexible Spending Accounts • 401k plan with a discretionary Company match • Employee Stock Purchase Program • Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays • Parental Leave • Bereavement Leave • Jury Duty Pay • Other insurance options