Director Global Customs Valuation & Audits (m/f/d)

Job content

Purpose

Manage customs valuation elements of adidas’ global customs operation which supports the business goals and ensures compliance with all legal requirements for both imports and exports on a global level with a business value of EUR 22 billion+ and duty exposure exceeding EUR 1 billion.

Evaluate and support concepts for implementation of changes in the legal framework, taking into account customs and foreign trade regulations. Provide consulting services for customs and foreign trade processes on questions relating to valuation and audits.

Key Accountabilities

• Manage Customs Valuation for the company, with particular focus on the Technical Assist Charge methodology and calculation, liaising with stakeholders in Tax and Finance as appropriate.
• Responsible for all customs and foreign trade audits where aITAG is involved/as agreed, defining the legal strategy, and managing associated court cases. Provide consulting services to all customs and legal functions in non-aITAG audits/disputes.
• Assess risks and define and calculate cashflow, global provisions and accruals relating to customs risks (EUR 200m+ annually). Implement policies and strategies to minimize risks and exposures.
• Responsible for Global Customs procurement process for consultancy and legal advice. Define the budget for Global Customs legal advice, manage the expenses and liaising with finance on all related topics including accruals.
• Participate in group-wide and cross-functional projects (TradeCo implementation, Luxury, Local Sourcing): definition of framework and guardrails, identification of risks and mitigation strategies, functional reviews.
• Identify and analyse new customs regulations worldwide regarding the impact for the adidas group, inform all relevant parties about complex legal contents and regarding the impact on their business. Define the required processes, implement customs policies, develop best practices and standard operation procedures to improve the supply chain process and limit the risk of delays, customs penalties and a negative impact of customs audits globally.
• Represent adidas on international Trade and Customs committees, including FESI, ICC and WCO, ensuring that the Group has advance information of developments and the opportunity to legally influence same.
• Manage and develop valuation team.
• Provide management/stakeholder reports as agreed/requested on legal case updates, risks and opportunities, audits update and projected risk impact (provisions and cashflow).
  
  

Key Relationships

• Customs Teams - Markets
• Global Sourcing
• Global Finance & Controlling
• Global Taxes
• Global Treasury
• Global Legal & Compliance
• Global Government Affairs
• Customs Authorities (in case of audit)
• External Consultants/Advisors
• Trade/Industry Associations
  
  

Knowledge, Capabilities And Skills

• In depth knowledge of global customs legislation on valuation, classification and special trade programs
• Strong research, writing, communication and analytical skills
• Experience of reviewing customs compliance on a global basis
• Very good knowledge of supply chain and logistics processes
• Analytical and able to understand complex facts and correlations
• Experience with negotiating with Customs authorities globally
  
  

Qualifications

• 10 years of relevant experience in customs operations
• Specialist customs technical knowledge
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with all levels in a cross-cultural environment, both written and oral in English