Senior Counsel, Trade Compliance & Customs

Overview: Every moment of every day, people all over the world turn to Panasonic to make their lives simpler, more enjoyable, more productive and more secure. Since our founding almost a century ago, we’ve been committed to improving peoples’ lives and making the world a better place–one customer, one business, one innovative leap at a time. Come join our journey! Responsibilities: Senior Counsel, Trade Compliance & Customs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tMgKm_71qs ( by clicking this link you are being referred to an external site that is not part of Panasonic ) Meet the Recruiter: Amber Smallwood What You'll Get To Do: The Senior Counsel, Trade Compliance & Customs serves as the legal and functional leader for customs and international trade compliance across North American operations. The role provides strategic legal counsel and oversight for customs, import compliance, tariff management, duty optimization, customs audits, government inquiries, and regulatory risk mitigation. Approximately 80% or more of the role is focused on customs-related legal advice and matter management, with the remaining time dedicated to broader trade compliance responsibilities. Provide all customs legal and compliance legal advice pertaining to: USMCA, tariff classification, customs valuation, country-of-origin determinations, customs rulings, post-entry corrections, and FTZ compliance. Monitor customs and trade regulatory developments; assess business impact; communicate recommendations to leadership; and deliver relevant compliance training to stakeholders. Support customs audits, government inquiries, investigations, disclosures, penalties, and enforcement matters, coordinating with regulators, outside counsel, customs brokers, and external advisors as needed. Advise Supply Chain, Procurement, Logistics, Finance, and business teams on duty optimization strategies, tariff mitigation, free trade agreements, duty drawbacks, special customs programs, and cross-border supply chain efficiencies. Develop and oversee customs compliance policies to ensure adherence to import regulations, forced labor requirements, and documentation standards, as well as Panasonic global policies and standards. Coordinate corresponding trade compliance procedures and standards, as appropriate, with operational trade compliance teams. Provide legal advice and oversight for broader trade compliance matters, including export controls, economic sanctions, anti-boycott requirements, and other international trade regulations. Scope Serves as the customs and trade compliance legal subject matter expert in the Legal & Compliance function. Manages outside counsel, consultants, and other external resources within approved authority. Serves as the primary legal lead for customs and import compliance matters across North American operations. Qualifications: What You'll Bring: Education & Experience Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar. Eight or more years of legal experience focused on customs law. Experience advising multinational, manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, or logistics organizations is strongly preferred. Problem Solving Independently evaluates complex and evolving customs and trade regulations, identifies legal and operational risk, and develops practical solutions that balance compliance requirements with business objectives. Leads responses to audits, investigations, enforcement matters, and high-impact cross-border issues that may affect cost, product flow, or business continuity, at the direction of the Chief Legal Officer or Chief Compliance Officer. Communications Regularly advises executive leaders and partners with Legal, Supply Chain, Procurement, Logistics, Finance, Government Affairs, and business teams. Requires the ability to influence decisions, explain complex legal requirements clearly, and drive alignment across functions. Other Requirements …

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