Global Trade & Product Compliance Manager
Scope of Position
The Manager, Global Trade & Product Compliance is responsible for leading and governing trade, logistics, environmental, and product compliance across ’s international operations. The role ensures that products are compliant for importation, distribution, and sale across multiple markets in accordance with applicable regulatory, safety, and environmental requirements, while enabling cost efficiency, operational speed, and supply chain reliability. This position serves as the subject matter expert and strategic business partner for global trade compliance, product compliance, environmental obligations, and cross-border logistics. The Manager is accountable for establishing governance frameworks, policies, and internal control mechanisms, while leading a team responsible for operational execution. The role requires strong commercial acumen, analytical capability, and the ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into scalable business processes and practical operational standards.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Governance
• Lead the development and implementation of global trade, logistics, environmental, and product compliance strategies aligned with business expansion objectives.
• Establish and maintain governance frameworks, policies, SOPs, templates, and control mechanisms to standardize compliance practices across markets.
• Interpret regulatory requirements and translate them into structured business and operational compliance standards.
• Evaluate logistics networks, compliance frameworks, and operating models to improve scalability, efficiency, and risk management.
• Advise management on strategic implications of regulatory developments and market-entry requirements.
Operational Oversight & Performance Management
• Oversee end-to-end trade, logistics, and compliance operations executed by the team and external partners.
• Establish and monitor KPIs related to cost, lead time, service levels, regulatory compliance, and environmental obligations.
• Act as escalation authority for customs issues, shipment disruptions, compliance risks, and vendor performance matters.
• Ensure proper governance and control over regulated, specialized, and high-risk product categories.
Product Compliance & Environmental Management
• Oversee assessment of product regulatory feasibility and market entry readiness across target markets.
• Ensure compliance with applicable global regulatory requirements, including CE Marking (EU), REACH, RoHS, GPSR, and equivalent frameworks in other jurisdictions.
• Define compliance standards for technical documentation, including technical files, test reports, declarations of conformity, and product labeling requirements, and ensure team execution.
• Govern Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations, including registrations, reporting, and eco-fee compliance.
Trade Compliance & Customs Management
• Oversee import/export compliance activities performed by the team and external partners.
• Govern importer-of-record structures and ensure effective performance management of customs brokers.
• Lead initiatives for duty optimization and customs simplification opportunities.
• Act as escalation authority for customs disputes and regulatory issues with relevant authorities, ensuring proper resolution.
Financial & Cost Optimization
• Oversee budgets related to testing, regulatory registrations, and consultancy services.
• Drive cost optimization initiatives while ensuring full compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Support financial planning processes including budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis in collaboration with Finance.
Digital Transformation & Process Excellence
• Drive automation, system enhancements, and digital solutions for trade and compliance processes.
• Define business requirements for ERP systems, dashboards, and reporting tools.
• Track KPIs and identify continuous improvement opportunities.
Stakeholder & Team Leadership
• Lead, coach, and develop the Global Trade and Product Compliance team.
• Set clear KPIs, expectations, and development plans for direct reports.
• Maintain relationships with customs brokers, certification bodies, consultants, and regulatory authorities.
• Ensure cross-functional alignment with Legal, Commercial, Supply Chain, Finance, and Operations teams.
• Represent the organization in discussions with external regulators and certification bodies where required.
Risk Management & Business Continuity
• Proactively identify geopolitical, operational, regulatory, and environmental risks.
• Implement preventive controls and early-warning mechanisms.
• Develop contingency plans to minimize disruptions.
• Provide management with timely risk assessments and recommendations.
Global Regulatory Intelligence
• Monitor regulatory changes across key markets.
• Translate regulatory developments into business impact assessments.
• Provide early warnings on compliance risks affecting market entry and operations. Additional Responsibilities
• Perform any other duties assigned by management relevant to the role.
Requirements Education
• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, International Trade, Regulatory Affairs, Engineering, Business, or related field.
• Master’s degree or professional certification is an advantage. Experience
• Minimum 8–10 years of experience in global trade, customs, product compliance, regulatory affairs, or international logistics.
• Minimum 3 years of people management experience.
• Proven experience managing regulatory and trade compliance across multiple markets.
• Experience in retail, consumer goods, manufacturing, or consulting is preferred.
Technical Knowledge
• Strong understanding of product regulations (CE Marking, REACH, RoHS, GPSR, and equivalents globally).
• Knowledge of customs procedures, tariff classification, origin, valuation, and international trade frameworks.
• Proficiency in Excel and reporting tools. Financial Acumen
• Strong understanding of freight costing, budgeting, and cost analysis.
Language
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Mandarin is an added advantage.
Competencies
• Strategic and systems thinking.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Sound commercial judgment.
• Leadership and people development.
• Stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• High ownership and accountability.
• Risk assessment and decision-making ability.
• Resilience and adaptability.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Intellectual curiosity and continuous learning.
• Ability to challenge assumptions with logic and data.
• Confidence to influence senior stakeholders.