Global Trade Operations Leader
Location(s) : Toledo, OH, US, 43659-0001
Function : Legal
Audience : Experienced Professional
Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for global trade, innovation and data driven decision making? Owens Corning is looking for a trade professional to join our team as our Global Trade Operations Leader, a high-impact role that reports to our Director of Global Trade Compliance and Operations that blends leadership, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration.
At Owens Corning, we believe trade compliance is not just about meeting regulatory requirements, it's about enabling business agility, driving financial value, and building resilient supply chains. As a key leader on our Global Trade Team, you will oversee our North American Trade Operations and Global Sanctions Programs, as well as drive initiatives that support our broader global trade strategy.
In this role, you will lead a team of 4, create a high-performing and compliant culture, manage complex global projects, and champion scalable IT solutions that streamline compliance processes. You'll cultivate strategic partnerships with customs brokers, Governing Agencies, third-party risk providers, and internal stakeholders across Global Trade Data and Risk Management. Finally, as the face of trade operations for cross-functional leaders, you'll play a pivotal role in aligning trade strategy with business goals and operational execution. To succeed, this role requires creativity, innovation, and a problem-solving approach to trade challenges, with a passion for leveraging technology and data to drive decisions and continuous improvement.
We're seeking a licensed customs broker with deep expertise in global trade regulations, risk mitigation, and operations program development. If you are passionate about trade, are analytical and data-driven, curious and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, this is your chance to make a meaningful impact.
Join us and be part of a team that's redefining what Global Trade can achieve, through innovation, integrity, and global leadership.
Reports to : Director, Global Trade Compliance and Operations
Scope of Control : Direct : 1-Global Trade Operations Lead (US), 3-Trade Compliance Specialists (US / CA); Indirect / Dotted Line : 2 Import / Export Coordinators (MX);
Job Responsibilities
Primary Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Operational Oversight
- Own and execute the operational trade strategy for North America, including import / export controls, broker management, and service provider oversight.
- Lead the development and implementation of effective controls for high-impact processes, ensuring alignment with internal control frameworks.
- Coordinate global and regional trade compliance risk assessments and implement mitigation plans in collaboration with the Director of Global Trade and Trade Data & Risk Management teams.
Global Sanctions Program Lead
Manage export licensing, jurisdictional determinations, and technology control plans.Oversee the Global Sanctions program, including service provider compliance and escalation procedures.Manage and escalate issues related to global sanctions, restricted party screening, and anti-boycott regulations.Lead escalation protocols for significant compliance violations or government inquiriesCross-Functional & External Partnerships
Build strategic partnerships across key functions including Sourcing, Planning, Sales, Customer Service, Warehouse, Manufacturing, Engineering, Finance, Tax, Accounting, Sustainability, EH&S, and Legal.Develop strong relationships with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and trade advisory partners; co-lead quarterly performance reviews and implement broker scorecards and KPIs.Engage proactively with regulatory enforcement agencies and coordinate company responses to audits or other significant customs-related actions.Operations & Regulatory Management
Ensure compliance with U.S. CBP, CBSA, BIS, and other relevant authorities across North America.Manage and escalate issues related to global sanctions, restricted party screening, and anti-boycott regulations in coordination with Legal.Supervise company participation in supply chain security programs (e.g., AEO) and ensure audit readiness through robust documentation and recordkeeping.Lead internal audits and assessments to evaluate control effectiveness and regulatory adherence.Training & Education
Develop and execute training strategies for the Operations Team, ensuring alignment with Licensed Customs Broker continuing education requirements.Create tailored training programs for cross-functional partners to promote understanding of trade processes and regulatory drivers.Educate and consult business leaders on trade topics to support global commercial strategy development.Data, Technology & Process Optimization
Develop trade metrics and dashboards to monitor performance and drive accountability.Partner with IT and data teams to implement tools that support automation, visibility, and compliance efficiency.Leverage trade data analytics to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for process improvement.Leadership & Team Development Responsibilities
Inspire and lead a high-performing team of trade operations professionals, fostering a culture of innovation, curiosity, and continuous learning.Establish clear performance and development objectives that align with company goals and growth initiatives, and provide regular coaching and feedback to support individual and team success.Drive talent development and retention by creating energy and enthusiasm around professional growth, leveraging resources to build leadership and functional capabilities.Promote cross-functional collaboration and teamwork, engaging internal and external stakeholders to maximize performance and shared accountability.Enhance trade compliance expertise through active engagement in training, seminars, industry groups, and knowledge-sharing across the Center of Excellence (COE) team.Job Requirements
Minimum Qualifications :
Undergraduate degree, advanced degree (i.e. MBA) or other significant industry experience such as U.S. Customs Broker License requiredExperience :
At least 10 years relevant experience in logistics, trade compliance or a related fieldExperience working in a multinational company with cross-functional collaboration that relies heavily on relationship building to succeed.Knowledge, Skills & Abilities :
Qualifications & Competencies
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex trade data and identify actionable insights.Deep knowledge of U.S. Canada and Mexico trade regulations, with experience navigating import / export controls and compliance frameworks.Technologically proficient; comfortable working with trade systems, analytics platforms, and automation tools.Leadership & Influence
Proven ability to lead through influence and build strong cross-functional partnerships across global teams.Thoughtful communicator with excellent stakeholder engagement skills, capable of inspiring collaboration and alignment.Demonstrated success in developing high-performing teams and fostering a culture of innovation, curiosity, and continuous learning.High integrity and commitment to ethical compliance, with a strong sense of accountability and ownership.Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving
Creative problem solver with a passion for simplifying complex processes and driving scalable solutions.Strong critical thinking and thought leadership capabilities, with a strategic mindset and outside-in perspective.Action-oriented leader who drives results through experimentation, reflection, and continuous improvement.Global Mindset & Continuous Learning
Passion for working in diverse, global environments and navigating cross-border trade challenges.Commitment to ongoing professional development through training, industry engagement, and knowledge sharing.Foreign language proficiency is a plus.
