Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

Lead customs operations in Colombia to ensure compliance, product availability, and efficient cross-border trade, while optimizing costs, mitigating risks, and supporting business growth.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Customs Strategy & Risk Management:

- Develop and implement the market customs strategy aligned with business growth plans, supply chain objectives, and global customs governance requirements.
- Assess regulatory changes and proactively define mitigation plans to minimize business disruption and compliance risks.
- Monitor inbound shipments and customs activities to ensure timely product availability and alignment with business priorities.
- Ensure the accuracy, completeness, timely submission, and proper retention of import and export documentation in accordance with customs regulations and company requirements.
- Supervise customs clearance processes to ensure on-time release of goods and delivery to the distribution center.
- Monitor customs valuation, tariff classification, and origin determination processes to ensure compliance and duty optimization.
- Develop and communicate customs performance reports, providing visibility of operational performance, risks, and opportunities to key stakeholders.
- Ensure the implementation and maintenance of customs controls and internal governance processes.

2. Stakeholder & Authority Management

- Build and maintain effective relationships with customs authorities, government agencies, trade associations, and key external stakeholders to support compliant and efficient trade operations.
- Partner with Global Customs, Supply Chain, Tax, Legal, Finance, and Commercial teams to support business objectives and ensure effective customs governance.
- Ensure compliance with local customs regulations, trade requirements, and adidas global policies.
- Support and manage customs audits,



and customs authority inquiries.
- Coordinate customs brokers and other service providers according to business priorities and operational requirements.
- Establish and monitor KPIs to evaluate customs broker performance, customs lead times, compliance, and service quality.

3. Team Leadership & Capability Development

- Lead, coach, and develop the Customs team, ensuring appropriate capabilities, succession planning, and a culture of compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance customs processes, reduce clearance lead times, increase visibility, and improve operational efficiency.

4. Financial Accountability

- Manage and control the customs operations budget, ensuring effective cost management and identification of savings opportunities.
- Coordinate with Accounting, Finance, and Treasury teams to ensure the timely payment of duties, taxes, and customs-related costs.
- Identify and implement opportunities to optimize duty costs and maximize the utilization of applicable Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

5. Trade Compliance Governance

- Ensure the effectiveness of customs compliance programs through periodic controls, self-assessment, monitoring activities, and corrective action plans.
- Identify customs compliance risks and implement appropriate corrective and preventive measures.
- Ensure compliance with local labeling requirements and other import regulatory requirements applicable to products.




- Maintain and oversee the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certification, including recertifications, compliance monitoring, and implementation of required controls.

6. Business Continuity and Continuous improvement

- Develop contingency plans and coordinate response actions to customs disruptions, regulatory changes, port congestion, or other events impacting product availability.
- Support automation and digitalization initiatives related to customs and trade compliance processes.

Key Relationships:

- Purchasing, General Customs, Internal Control, Order Fulfilment, Accounting, Sales, Demand Planning, Customer Service, Finance.
- Forwarder and Logistic partners, Customs Brokers.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

- University degree in International Trade, Logistics, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or related field.
- Strong knowledge of Customs regulations, Trade Compliance, Customs Valuation, Tariff Classification, and Rules of Origin.
- Fluent English (written and spoken).
- Customer-oriented and business mindset.
- Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management.
- Leadership and team development.
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Continuous improvement and process optimization mindset.
- Experience identifying automation and digitalization opportunities to improve efficiency and control.
- Ability to leverage data and AI tools to support decision-making and productivity.
- Strong focus on cost optimization and identification of savings opportunities.
- Planning, organization, and prioritization skills.
- Strong communication and influencing skills.
- Ownership, accountability, and action-oriented mindset.
- Adaptability and openness to change.

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

- 5 years experience
- Minimum 1 year informal management experience required

📌 Manager Customs (Bogotá)
🏢 Adidas
📍 Bogotá