Senior Manager, Global Trade Operations

Summary

Join Western Digital's Global Trade Operations Organization as a Senior Manager, a pivotal role driving business value through compliance. This global position requires expertise in import/export operations and compliance, coupled with business facilitation, data analytics, and team management skills. You will lead a team of regional trade experts, supporting WD's business units in managing trade compliance obligations. The role involves strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, regulatory monitoring, and process improvement initiatives to enhance market access and mitigate risk. Based remotely or in San Jose/Irvine, you will report to the Senior Director of Transportation and Trade Operations. This is a high-impact role for a self-driven individual who can execute on the organization's strategy.

Requirements

• Possess deep technical knowledge of global customs, import and export topics
• Have 10+ years of related work experience
• Stay informed on global trade developments and identify savings opportunities
• Be an excellent team leader with great organizational skills and strong motivation
• Possess flexibility to work with colleagues worldwide; foreign language capabilities are a plus
• Have experience with relevant government agencies (e.g., U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
• Possess experience managing/supervising teams
• Have strong analytical and communication skills
• Be able to successfully execute multiple projects
• Hold a Bachelor’s/Master’s degree
• Have minimum 8-12 years of experience in Trade Controls and Compliance
• Possess outstanding leadership and influencing skills
• Be able to discern strategic insights from data analysis
• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Be a proven self-starter who can work in a fast-paced environment
• Possess intellectual curiosity and ability to navigate ambiguous circumstances
• Be able to present findings succinctly and accurately
• Hold a minimum Bachelor’s degree in International Trade/Supply Chain Management or equivalent

Responsibilities

• Possess high working knowledge of international import/export operations and effectively troubleshoot issues
• Provide customs and trade operations support in the United States and International locations
• Develop strategies and actionable plans to support compliant and efficient international product and service movement
• Consult with and guide internal stakeholders in managing their compliance obligations
• Interface with freight forwarders, US government officials, custom brokers, and internal/external customers on import/export regulations
• Manage and execute operational tasks and problem-solving
• Design a global customs brokerage, forwarder, and logistic partner program
• Manage Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and drive process improvement
• Evaluate new government and trade compliance requirements and update standard operating procedures
• Partner with the legal team to understand regulatory changes and develop/execute procedures
• Serve as a functional expert in Global Trade, promoting compliant market access
• Drive improvements in cost, lead time, and process efficiency through data analytics
• Build communications, training plans, and standard operating procedures for trade compliance
• Collaborate to create and enforce regional trade compliance
• Build, track, and maintain content and metrics to monitor and enhance trade compliance
• Monitor proposed changes in import/export control law and assess their impact
• Manage daily tasks related to providing trade compliance governance guidance
• Assist with technology, product classification, including Harmonized Commodity Codes (HTS, Schedule B, ECCN)
• Proactively identify and drive automation, accuracy, friction reduction, and process improvement initiatives

Preferred Qualifications

• Possess a US Customs broker license
• Be a Certified US Export Compliance Officer
• Knowledge of Global Trade Management system

Benefits

• Paid vacation time
• Paid sick leave
• Medical/dental/vision insurance
• Life, accident and disability insurance
• Tax-advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts
• Employee assistance program
• Other voluntary benefit programs (e.g., supplemental life and AD&D, legal plan, pet insurance)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Transit
• Applause Program
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Western Digital Savings 401(k) Plan
• Short-Term Incentive (STI) Plan
• Long-Term Incentive (LTI) program (RSUs or cash equivalents)
• RSU awards for eligible new hires
• Remote work option (preferred location San Jose or Irvine)