Director of Trade Compliance - North America (United States, Canada & Mexico)

Senior plc is a global manufacturer of high technology fluid conveyance and thermal management components and systems principally for OEMs in the aerospace & defense, land vehicle, and power & energy markets. Operating through 21 businesses across 10 countries, Senior is organized into two divisions—Aerospace and Flexonics—and is known for its decentralized, entrepreneurial culture rooted in accountability, operational excellence, and strong governance.

The Opportunity

Senior plc is seeking a Director of Trade Compliance – North America to provide strategic and operational compliance leadership across U.S., Canadian, and Mexican operations. This is a hands-on leadership role with principal responsibility for export, import, customs, and trade compliance programs, supporting both commercial and defense-related activities.

This role also serves as the company’s Empowered Official (EO) under U.S. export control law (ITAR), holding legal authority for export authorizations and certifications related to defense and aerospace programs. The position partners closely with executive leadership and operating businesses to enable compliant, sustainable growth.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Operational Leadership

Lead the North American Trade Compliance program aligned with global governance and risk frameworks

Serve as the regional subject matter expert on international trade and regulatory compliance

Advise executive leadership and brief the Board as required on compliance performance, risks, and remediation

Export, Import & Customs Compliance

Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, including: U.S. : ITAR, EAR, OFAC, CBP, ACE, CTPAT/OEA.

Canada : CGP, CBSA, Export Control List

Mexico : SAT, VUCEM, IMMEX Maquiladora program management

Oversee licensing, classification, valuation, documentation, and recordkeeping

Deliver training and compliance awareness across all levels of the organization

Trade Agreements & Optimization

Lead compliance and optimization under CUSMA / USMCA / T-MEC

Direct HTS classification, valuation, including the Reconciliation program, broker oversight, and duty recovery initiatives such as Chapter 98, FTZ and Bonded Whse opportunities.

Advise supply chain and procurement on landed cost, MFN tariff engineering, Section 301, 232, 122 and IEEPA tariffs and trade strategy

Empowered Official (ITAR)

Act as the designated Empowered Official under 22 CFR §120.25

Hold signing and certification authority for U.S. export licenses, TAAs, MLAs, and related authorizations

Exercise independent legal judgment to approve or deny export and re-export transactions

Serve as primary liaison with DDTC, BIS, OFAC, and other U.S. government agencies

Team Leadership & Program Development

Lead and mentor trade compliance professionals across the region

Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and internal controls

Implement automation and digital tools for licensing, audits, and analytics

Monitor regulatory changes and ensure timely implementation

Auditing, Risk & Governance

Conduct compliance audits across all North American sites

Develop standardized audit tools, metrics, and corrective action tracking

Support internal audit alignment, voluntary disclosures, and regulatory remediation

Lead trade compliance due diligence for M&A and business integrations

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Law, Supply Chain, or International Trade

Minimum of 10 years of progressive trade compliance leadership across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico

Deep expertise in ITAR, EAR, OFAC, CBSA, SAT, and CUSMA/USMCA/T-MEC

Experience with ACE (U.S.), CARM (Canada), and VUCEM (Mexico)

Recognized Empowered Official (EO) under ITAR with defense/aerospace experience

Proven experience auditing trade compliance programs and leading corrective actions

Multi-industry background (e.g., aerospace, defense, land vehicles, oil & gas, medical devices)

Bilingual English/Spanish preferred

Core Competencies

Highly analytical and detail-oriented

Decisive, ethical leader with strong regulatory judgment

Collaborative and hands-on leadership style

Adaptable and resilient in complex regulatory environments

Strategic and credible executive communicator

Location & Travel

Location: Remote, hybrid, or on-site (flexible)

Travel: Approximately 15–25% across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and occasional global travel

Trade Compliance Statement Access to our facilities is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to U.S. Persons (U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents, U.S. Nationals, U.S. refugees, asylees, or temporary residents under amnesty provisions ), and to properly licensed foreign persons. Applicants receiving a conditional offer of employment will be required to provide information to determine whether they are subject to these regulations and, if so, to assess their country of chargeability for export control purposes. Additionally, po…