We are seeking an experienced Import/Export Manager to lead regional transportation management, international logistics, and customs compliance across North America (Canada, the United States, and Mexico) and Europe (Germany, Turkey, and the United Kingdom).

This role combines hands-on trade compliance expertise with commercial freight management and international shipment coordination. You will lead carrier sourcing and contract negotiations, optimize transportation costs, ensure customs compliance, and improve the efficiency and reliability of our import/export operations across a multi-country manufacturing network.

Working closely with internal teams across Logistics, Planning, Procurement, Sales, Customer Service, and Project Management, you will coordinate shipping requirements for raw materials, finished goods, intercompany transfers, and project equipment. You will also manage external relationships with carriers, freight forwarders, and customs brokers to ensure shipments are executed safely, compliantly, on time, and cost-effectively.

Reporting to the Global Logistics Manager, you will have the autonomy to identify opportunities, negotiate within approved parameters, strengthen regional processes, and deliver measurable improvements in cost, service, and compliance.

What You’ll Do

Freight Procurement & Transportation Management

· Lead regional carrier sourcing, freight procurement, contract management, rate negotiations, and transportation cost optimization across road, rail, ocean and air

· Manage North American transportation activities, including full truckload monthly bids, carrier rate reviews, and transportation management system (TMS) activities.

· Review freight contracts, market rates, fuel surcharges, accessorial charges, and service agreements to identify savings and improve commercial terms.

· Coordinate railcar capacity and leasing requirements with internal stakeholders to support customer shipments and plant operations.

· Identify opportunities to consolidate international shipments across regions, optimize transport modes, and improve shipment planning.

· Improve freight invoice accuracy, manage claims and service complaints, and reduce avoidable demurrage, detention, and other transportation charges.

Customs Compliance & International Trade

· Personally manage complex customs matters, including tariff classification, customs valuation, country-of-origin determinations, permits, regulatory documentation, and customs audits.

· Oversee cross-border trade compliance and the application of CUSMA/USMCA, CETA, and other applicable free trade agreements to maximize eligible duty savings and exemptions.

· Manage origin certification processes and ensure appropriate supporting records, documentation, and certificate distribution are maintained.

· Monitor customs duties, tariffs, exemptions, refunds, regulatory changes, and renewal requirements, communicating potential cost and compliance impacts to relevant internal teams.

· Review import/export documentation,



including commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, certificates of origin, and other customs documents, to ensure completeness and accuracy.

· Oversee customs brokers and freight forwarders, including service performance, fee negotiations, credit limits, issue resolution, and contingency arrangements.

· Maintain effective customs controls and proactively identify and mitigate compliance risks across the region.

International Shipment Coordination & Execution

· Plan and coordinate import and export shipments in collaboration with internal stakeholders, confirming shipment requirements, Incoterms, transport modes, dimensions, weights, packaging, and delivery timelines.

· Coordinate end-to-end shipment execution, including booking transportation, preparing shipping instructions, arranging loading and unloading schedules, and communicating transit and delivery details.

· Ensure timely and accurate documentation is issued and reviewed throughout the shipment process, working with internal teams and external service providers to resolve discrepancies.

· Coordinate shipments of raw materials, finished goods, intercompany transfers, and project equipment using road, rail, ocean, and air freight, as appropriate.

· Evaluate service options against delivery requirements, availability, cost, and risk to determine the most effective transportation solutions.

Performance Management & Continuous Improvement

· Establish and maintain carrier and customs broker scorecards, service KPIs, and monthly reporting on freight spend, savings, service performance, customs compliance, risks, and improvement initiatives.

· Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for service failures, claims, documentation errors, and avoidable transportation costs.

· Develop and standardize regional processes, controls, and reporting to improve consistency, visibility, and accountability.

· Build strong working relationships with regional colleagues and internal departments to align shipping requirements, resolve operational challenges, and support continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

· Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, Technology, or a related field.

· 10+ years of experience in import/export operations, international logistics, transportation management, or supply chain management.

· Direct experience in chemical or industrial manufacturing, including regional customs compliance, is required.

· Demonstrated experience managing cross-border shipments, customs brokers, freight forwarders, and transportation service providers.

· Proven experience negotiating freight rates,



managing carrier contracts, and delivering measurable transportation cost savings.

· Technical & Trade Compliance Expertise

· Strong knowledge of customs clearance, international trade regulations, tariff classification, customs valuation, origin determinations, permits, and audit requirements.

· Hands-on experience managing complex customs compliance matters and free trade agreement requirements, including CUSMA/USMCA and, where applicable, CETA.

· Expertise in international shipping documentation, including commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, certificates of origin, and free trade agreement certifications.

· Strong understanding of international Incoterms and their implications for transportation responsibilities, costs, and risk.

· Experience with road, rail, ocean, and air freight, as well as transportation management systems and freight procurement processes.

· Proficiency with SAP or other ERP systems, spreadsheets, and logistics service-provider portals.

· Familiarity with international payment processes, letters of credit, foreign exchange procedures, and related banking documentation is an asset.

Leadership & Professional Skills

· Strong analytical, problem-solving, negotiation, and decision-making skills.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to work effectively across functions, countries, and time zones.

· Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, respond quickly to changing requirements, and resolve complex operational issues independently.

· Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence internal teams and external service providers.

· A proactive, commercially minded approach to identifying risks, improving processes, and delivering measurable results.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to make a tangible impact on international logistics performance within a global manufacturing environment. You will combine strategic cost optimization with hands-on operational ownership, strengthen trade compliance across multiple markets, and help build scalable processes that support the business’s continued growth.

Pay: $99,000.00-$150,000.00 per year

Benefits:

- Casual dress
- Company events
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- In office parking
- Paid time off
- Profit sharing
- RRSP match
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision care

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Brantford, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

- Do you have experience with SAP or other ERP systems, spreadsheets, and logistics service-provider portals?

Education:

- Bachelor's Degree (required)

Experience:

- in import/export operations and international logistics: 10 years (required)
- chemical or industrial manufacturing: 5 years (required)

Language:

- English (required)

Work Location: In person

📌 Import Export Manager (Brantford)
🏢 Ingenia Polymers
📍 Brantford