APAC Trade Compliance Specialist

# Position Summary The APAC Trade Compliance Consultant develops, implements, and maintains customs and trade compliance frameworks across East Asia (China, Japan, Korea and ANZ). The role ensures alignment with global trade governance policies across the Crop Protection and Biologicals businesses. Working closely with Logistics Trade Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Tax, Legal, and other business partners, the consultant interprets import and export regulations, manages compliance risk, identifies duty savings and process improvements, supports audits and security programs, and serves as an escalation point for complex trade matters. # Key Responsibilities ## Trade Compliance Leadership · Serve as the primary point of contact for trade compliance activities within East Asia. · Act as the escalation point for APAC Trade Compliance and Logistics leaders on international trade requirements and Partner Government Agency (PGA) matters. · Interpret regulatory requirements and provide practical, compliant solutions that support business enablement and continuity. · Ensure regional and country procedures align with Global Trade Governance policies and educate Trade Operations focal points on applicable requirements. · Build the Trade Compliance function as a center of excellence and foster a strong culture of compliance across teams. ## Government and Regulatory Engagement · Represent Corteva on trade and customs matters with Customs Authorities and other government regulatory agencies within countries of responsibility. · Partner with Legal, Tax, Government Affairs, and Supply Chain teams on industry representation through trade bodies and associations and participate in customs trade facilitation meetings. · Develop and implement advocacy strategies with key stakeholders to respond to claims, inquiries, and notifications from Customs Authorities and government agencies within China and assigned APAC countries. ## Customs Compliance and Audit Management · Lead external customs and regulatory audits and support the International Trade Operations Team in internal audits and documentation of internal controls. · Manage quarterly self-assessments in assigned countries, improve audit scores, and expand the assessment program to additional sites as appropriate. · Manage customs broker relationships, powers of attorney, broker guidelines, performance expectations, and broker bids as needed. · Partner with International Trade Operations and Logistics focal points to support customs security programs, including Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) initiatives, training, coaching, consultancy verification, and audit preparation. ## Duty Optimization and Special Trade Programs · Manage and analyze regional customs duty savings and spend, and work with Trade Operations and Logistics leaders to develop and execute savings strategies. · Evaluate Free Trade Agreements and provide subject matter expertise on Country of Origin determinations, eligible raw-material analysis, and Regional Value Content validation. · Support the Regional Supply Chain Manager in evaluating Free Trade Zones, customs bonded warehouses, and similar special customs regimes. · Report duty savings and customs spend to the Global Trade leader quarterly. ## Classification, Valuation, and Technical Compliance · Implement required customs valuation and transfer pricing processes and procedures. · Manage regional use of the global classification system and collaborate with the Global Classification Team to confirm appropriate Harmonized System classifications. · Provide guidance on applicable PGA permits, licenses, certifications, import/export documentation, duty rates, tariff concessions, exemptions, and rebates. · Manage and document Incoterms exceptions applicable to APAC import and export transactions. · Monitor regulatory changes, trade notices, customs circulars, and notifications; assess potential business impacts; and support implementation of new compliance requirements. ## Export Controls, Sanctions, and Restricted Party Screening · Provide guidance on applicable export control and economic sanctions requirements for transactions involving products, technology, software, services, customers, suppliers, intermediaries, and destinations. · Support compliance with company policies and applicable laws governing sanctioned countries and territories, restricted or prohibited end uses, end users, and diversion risks. · Oversee and support restricted party screening processes for customers, suppliers, business partners, intermediaries, and other transaction parties, including the review and escalation of potential matches. · Partner with Legal, Global Trade Governance, Supply Chain, Procurement, Commercial, and other stakeholders to resolve screening alerts and determine appropriate transaction controls or escalation actions. · Support export authorization and licensing assessments, recordkeeping, documentation, and audit readiness for controlled transactions. · Monitor changes to export control regulations, sanctions programs, and restricted party lists; assess potential business impacts; and communicate required actions to relevant stakeholders. · Develop and deliver training on export controls, sanctions compliance, restricted party screening, escalation requirements, and transaction red flags. ## Cross-Functional Partnership and Training · Participate in the APAC Trade Compliance network with Crop Protection and Biologicals functions, including R&D, Procurement, Finance, Legal, Supply Chain, and other teams involved in international transactions. · Develop and maintain standard operating procedures that provide clear and comprehensive trade compliance guidance. · Communicate international trade updates and other relevant topics to internal stakeholders, leadership, and the Global Trade Governance Director. · Support quarterly Trade Essentials training by identifying topics, preparing materials, and delivering presentations. · Develop and deliver regional training on specific compliance topics requiring increased awareness or reinforcement. # Critical Success Factors · Ability to apply and enforce corporate policies to ensure compliance with applicable regulations. · Strong trade compliance knowledge, technical capability, and sound professional judgment. · Strong project management and program execution skills. · Ability to benchmark leading practices and develop processes that support continuous improvement. · Ability to identify risks, problems, and opportunities and collaborate effectively with Global Trade Governance, Trade Operations, Logistics, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Tax, and Legal. · Ability to coach and guide colleagues and business partners across East Asia. · Ability to influence stakeholders and mobilize resources without direct authority. · Strong teamwork and cross-functional collaboration skills. # Qualifications ## Required · Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college. · Minimum of 5 years of experience in international trade compliance, customs, or a related field within a global organization, with a strong working knowledge of international trade regulations. · Knowledge of Free Trade Agreements, Free Trade Zones, duty drawback, duty suspension, bonded warehouse programs, and other customs exemption or duty optimization programs. · Demonstrated experience identifying and implementing duty reduction initiatives. · Strong knowledge of Harmonized Tariff Schedule classifications and applicable import and export restrictions. · Strong writing skills, particularly in drafting responses to inquiries from Customs Authorities and other government agencies. · Knowledge of SAP GTS and SAP S/4HANA. · Knowledge of trade compliance security programs and global best practices. · Strong negotiation, project management, influencing, and conflict resolution skills. · Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. · Fluency in written and spoken English and Mandarin Chinese. ## Preferred · Licensed Customs Broker and/or related industry certification. · Candidates with experience in Agriculture, Chemical or Biological industries