Position Summary:

The Global Trade Operations Manager for the EEMEA (Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa) region is responsible for overseeing and ensuring compliance with global trade regulations, optimizing import/export processes, and managing operational execution across multiple countries. This role serves as a key liaison between internal stakeholders, external partners, and government authorities to enable smooth and compliant cross-border trade.

Responsible for managing various aspects of import/export and trade compliance processes throughout the EEMEA region, ensuring compliance with applicable customs laws, trade regulations, and regional requirements. Develops and implements regional and local SOPs, WIs, and KPIs to ensure effective internal controls, regulatory compliance, and quality standards across multiple jurisdictions.

Plays a key role in cross-functional projects and initiatives, providing advisory support to the business on regional trade, customs, and supply chain implications, including emerging markets and complex regulatory environments, while supporting decision-making and maintaining stakeholder alignment.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Map regional trade lanes and review current activities and processes to identify and implement appropriate actions for continuous improvement, including process efficiency, internal controls, and data quality.
• Support and enhance legal and regulatory compliance by providing import/export administration and controls in accordance with applicable government rules and regulations.
• Ensure adherence to global trade regulations, including customs laws, sanctions, and export control requirements across EEMEA.
• Monitor changes in regional trade regulations and implement necessary process updates.
• Oversee day-to-day trade operations for imports and exports within the EEMEA region.
• Manage relationships with customs brokers.
• Drive process improvements to reduce lead times, costs, and compliance risks.
• Provide training and guidance to regional teams on trade compliance policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with internal and external legal counsel to prepare, review, and provide data and documentation required for filings, disclosures, or communications with Customs and other governmental agencies related to trade compliance.
• Liaise, where applicable, with Ministries of Health, Customs authorities, Chambers of Commerce, and other governmental agencies to support compliance requirements and facilitate efficient product flow.
• Manage and actively participate in cross-divisional and cross-functional projects and initiatives supporting regional trade, customs, and supply chain objectives.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders across Commercial, Legal, Finance, Logistics, and other relevant functions to align regional and global trade operations with business objectives and support strategic and operational initiatives.
• Implement, monitor, and maintain regional metrics and KPIs to measure performance, compliance, and process effectiveness.

Education & Special Trainings:

• Academic degree in international trade, customs affairs or equivalent experience
• Working knowledge of customs procedures/authorizations/audits
• Working knowledge of tax implications on imports/exports
• Working knowledge on Import/Export Controls

Qualifications & Experience:

• Minimum of +8 years trade compliance or international logistics experience preferred
• Excellent knowledge of English (reading, writing, speaking), other EEMEA languages are an asset (Turkish, Arabic, Russian)
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Experience in Project Management