LATAM Trade Operations Lead

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DePuy Synthes is recruiting for a LATAM Trade & Transportation Lead , located in Brazil or Colombia etc.

The Manager, LATAM Trade & Transportation Lead is a key member of the global supply chain function, responsible for both the operational transportation network and the trade compliance framework across Latin America.

The role ensures the reliable, cost-efficient, and fully compliant movement of products — from manufacturing sites and regional hubs into local distribution centers, hospitals, and distributors — while safeguarding adherence to customs and international trade regulations across all operating countries.

This is a single regional leadership position that brings together two closely related disciplines: how products physically move (transportation networks, carriers, logistics providers) and how they cross borders compliantly (customs, import/export, trade documentation). The role partners closely with regional and global stakeholders to enable uninterrupted product flow, mitigate risk, and drive continuous improvement.

Trade Compliance & Customs

• →Provide regional trade leadership for LATAM, ensuring compliance with applicable customs, import/export, and trade regulations across all operating countries.
• →Serve as the primary LATAM point of contact for global trade operations, supporting global supply chain execution and strategic initiatives.
• →Oversee and standardize trade processes, controls, and documentation to ensure consistent execution and audit readiness across the region.
• →Monitor trade performance metrics, identify risks or gaps, and lead corrective and preventive actions.
• →Engage with external partners — customs brokers, freight forwarders, and government authorities — to ensure effective and compliant trade execution.
  

Transportation Operations

• →Drive value across LATAM through optimized regional transportation flows for both inbound freight (from manufacturing sites to regional hubs, and from hubs to local affiliates and distributor warehouses) and outbound flows to hospitals and distributors.
• →Manage relationships with third-party and fourth-party logistics providers (including regional Control Tower partners) through performance metrics, strategic direction, and continuous improvement programs.
• →Lead performance measurement of transport reliability through critical metrics aligned with regional Plan, Make, and Deliver operations teams; provide input into executive performance reviews.
• →Deliver on annual cost improvement and productivity targets through operational improvements while protecting service, quality, reliability, and compliance.
• →Translate regional inventory strategy and business requirements into innovative transportation solutions; support transportation set-up for manufacturing network changes and new product launches.
  

Cross-Functional Leadership

• →Partner with regional and global supply chain, quality, finance, and legal teams to enable compliant product movement and rapid issue resolution.
• →Represent transportation and trade in end-to-end supply chain forums, projects, and sales and operations planning discussions; drive process alignment and trade-off decisions.
• →Actively collaborate with the regional Deliver lead, distribution operations, and demand & supply planning teams to optimize capacity planning, reliability, and adherence to service commitments.
• →Support product launches, network changes, and supply chain transformations by assessing and managing both transportation and trade impacts.

• Transportation cost and continuous improvement savings delivery.
• Transportation reliability — manufacturing/hub to distribution center, and distribution center to customer.
• Logistics provider (Control Tower) performance against agreed service levels.
• Trade compliance audit readiness; zero critical findings in customs audits.
• On-time customs clearance and reduction in border-related disruptions.

Education

• Bachelor's degree required (Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, International Trade, or related field).
• Master's degree or MBA preferred.
  

Required Experience and Skills

• 6–8 years of progressive experience in supply chain, transportation, trade compliance, logistics, or related operational roles, aligned with a manager-level position.
• Strong working knowledge of international trade, customs regulations, and import/export operations within Latin America.
• Solid expertise across core transportation, planning, and carrier / logistics-provider management, including familiarity with control-tower operating models.
• Excellent analytical skills and an affinity for numbers: ability to support budgeting, financial reconciliation, and identify cost-saving opportunities in transportation.
• Good understanding of the order-to-cash process and end-to-end supply chain mindset.
• Experience partnering with global stakeholders and operating within a matrixed, multinational organization.
• Proven ability to manage complex operational issues, assess risk, and drive compliant outcomes.
• Effective communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills across cultures and geographies.
  

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Experience in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, or other highly regulated industries.
• Familiarity with global trade systems, transportation management systems, enterprise resource planning platforms, and trade automation tools.
• Demonstrated experience leading regional or global process standardization initiatives.
• Prior exposure to customs audits, investigations, or regulatory inspections.
• Understanding of good distribution practice and a quality-first approach.
• Lean or continuous improvement certification is a plus.
• Demonstrated awareness of artificial intelligence concepts and responsible / ethical use, with experience generating effective prompts to boost productivity.
  

Other

• Language: English required; Portuguese and/or Spanish strongly preferred to support stakeholders across LATAM.
• Travel: Up to 25–30% regional and international travel.
• Certifications: Trade compliance or customs certifications preferred but not required.