Associate Manager Global Trade

Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra , India

Position Title: Assistant Manager, Global Trade

Summary:

This position will provide comprehensive Global Trade Compliance and Operational support for Hershey India’s exports and imports. The role will be reporting to Head, Materials Planning and will have a strong dotted line to HSY’s Global Trade Compliance Manager, focusing on establishing strategic direction, setting priorities, and implementing functional execution.

Key Responsibilities:

• Global Trade Compliance Program: Manage Hershey India’s Global Trade Compliance Program, including the compliance audit process and Free Trade Agreement (FTA) qualifications.

• Regulatory Liaison: Act as the local liaison with the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Directorate General of Foreign Trade, and other government agencies concerning import/export activities.

• Dashboard Support: Support the Global Trade Dashboard and maintain a local compliance dashboard for imports and exports.

• System Implementation: Assist in the implementation of system capabilities for trade compliance tasks and identify and recommend improvements for logistics compliance processes and performance.

• Audit Coordination: Coordinate and implement routine audits with Global Trade Centers of Excellence (COEs) for the Hershey India to ensure compliance with government requirements specific to foreign trade and logistics security.

• Regulatory Knowledge: Gather in-depth knowledge of applicable regulations for India and share updates with relevant functional areas regarding changes in laws or requirements that affect the import/export process.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Customs Compliance: Serve as the local point of contact for customs compliance requests from regional customers, including HS Classification, Country of Origin, and other related inquiries.

• Project Support: Support import/export and compliance projects based on business needs and identify potential cost-saving opportunities through FTAs, duty drawback, and other similar customs schemes.

Summary of major duties include:

Hershey India Customs Compliance Program maintenance

- Ongoing maintenance of HSY India’s Customs Compliance Manual

- Audit Process (follow methodology, document errors and share reports with Global Trade Compliance)

- Liaison with India Customs Broker. Participate in monthly Brokerage Performance Metrics/KPIs with Global Trade Compliance team

- Support HS classification process for Hershey India’s import/exported items

- Ensure Record keeping policy is followed

- Maintain copies of Broker Management Guidelines and ensure yearly renewal of brokerage expectations. Coordinate with GTC on yearly assessments and brokerage reviews.

- Support Training to other areas in import/export compliance

- Work with GT COE on any CBIC, DGFT and other government agencies request for information or audits.

- Support implementation of systems capabilities for trade compliance tasks (FTA, HTS, etc.)

- Keep up-to-date with changes in India laws and regulations as it pertains to Customs, Import and Export, and communicate necessary information to all appropriate parties and GT COE.

Master Data Responsibilities

- Master List Maintenance: Maintain an up-to-date master list of imported materials.

- FTA Eligibility and COO Maintenance: Manage and maintain the eligibility of products for Free Trade Agreements.

Global Trade Operations

- Gather shipping requirements from Supply Chain/internal teams to facilitate placing ocean bookings with forwarder

- Prepare documents ahead of shipment arrival to customer

- Define and track metrics to ensure service levels are met

- Perform Monthly and Quarterly Supplier Performance Review (Customs Brokers & Forwarders)

Project Stakeholder

- Participate in projects as deemed necessary by the business and departments

Career Development

- Goal Setting and Training: Develop annual goals, participate in cross-training, and define and support your career path and succession planning.

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities:

• Working knowledge of India based FTAs including Rules of origin and qualification methodologies

• Strong understanding of Harmonized Tariff System Classification general rules of interpretation

• Previous work experience in Import/Exports Compliance, food industry recommended

• Experience with India Food inspection agencies (i.e. FSSAI)

• Ability to work on a daily basis with teams across geographies (Asia, Middle East, etc) and multitask between projects

• Self-managed. Needs to be able to follow up and complete projects with limited daily supervision

• Strong initiative & Change Management

• Interpersonal communication skills, relationship management and collaboration skills

• Able to present professional and technical materials to different audiences

• Strong attention to details and analytical skills

• Strong follow-up skills

• Adaptive to fast and continuous change

• Strong oral and written communications skills

• Understanding of product line and related logistical product characteristics

• Analytical/math and problem solving skills

• Computer skills including data entry, PC, Windows, database and MS Office.

• Understanding of logistics information systems and system handoffs (i.e. SAP, S4, GTS), or other internet logistics based tools

• Understanding of imports/exports process flow related to transportation, documentation, clearance, etc.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Operations, Business Administration, International Trade or related field.
• Broker’s license or equivalent imports compliance certifications preferred.
• MBA degree is a plus

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years related Export/Import Logistics and Customs Compliance
• Experience with a consumer packaged goods (CPG) company is a plus
• Extensive experience in developing, deploying and maintaining export and import compliance at an International company. Working experience with India Customs Agencies, DGFT, product classifications, brokerage and logistics.
• Strong project management and communication skills.
• Experience with Food inspection agencies is a plus (e.g. FSSAI)