Associate Trade Compliance Manager

Who We Are:

Kontoor Brands is a portfolio of three of the world's most iconic lifestyle, outdoor and workwear brands: Wrangler, Lee and Helly Hansen. Kontoor Brands is a purpose-led organization focused on leveraging its global platform, strategic sourcing model and best-in-class supply chain to drive brand growth and deliver long- term value for its stakeholders.

Job Posting:

Associate Trade Compliance Manager

Kontoor Brands is seeking an experienced Associate Trade Compliance Manager to lead and develop strategic excellence within Kontoor's Global Trade Compliance program. Reporting to the Trade Compliance Manager, this role will oversee major functional areas: such as Import Compliance, Export Compliance, Special Programs (Free Trade Agreements, Duty Drawback, FTZ, First Sale), and Supply Chain Security (CTPAT), and will directly manage specialists and cross-functional initiatives. The Associate Trade Compliance Manager serves as both a leader and subject matter expert (SME), ensuring regulatory adherence, risk mitigation, and continuous process improvement across the region.

This position will work closely with stakeholders in Logistics, Finance, Distribution Center Operations, and Legal to uphold compliance standards, promote automation, and strengthen Kontoor's global compliance efforts.

Responsibilities

• Leadership & Oversight
  • Manage operations of the Trade Compliance functions, ensuring adherence to U.S. and international Customs regulations.
  • Develop staff, foster growth through coaching, training, and career pathing.
  • Coordinate audits and lead responses to Customs, CBP, or other regulatory inquiries.
  • Define and monitor KPI and KCI metrics to assess compliance health.
  • Develop and execute compliance strategies aligned with company objectives and regulatory changes.
  • Oversee classification, valuation, country-of-origin, and other master data or transaction data to ensure consistency and accuracy.
  • Manage risk assessments and corrective action plans across Trade Compliance processes.
  • Support automation and data-driven decision-making in SAP, Integration Point (Thomson Reuters), ACE, and CARM.
  • Collaborate with Logistics, Finance, and DC Operations to align process flows with Customs requirements.
  • Liaise with Legal on policy interpretation, Customs concerns, and governance
  • Lead initiatives that enhance compliance efficiency, accuracy, and cost savings.
  • Identify emerging risks and implement proactive mitigation measures.
  • Drive harmonization of compliance processes across regional teams.
  • Represent Kontoor in external audits, industry associations, and trade working groups.
  • Maintain deep knowledge of 19 CFR, CBSA, and international Customs frameworks
  • Promote ongoing learning through training and professional certifications (e.g., CCS, CES, CBL).

Requirements

• Experience:
• 5-8 years experience in Trade Compliance, with exposure to multiple functional areas and at least 2-4 years of leadership, supervisory, or project-lead experience.
• Skills & Competencies:
  • In-depth knowledge of import/export laws and Customs regulations (U.S., CA, and international).
  • Strong analytical and project management skills; able to manage multiple priorities.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead teams and influence cross-functional partners.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Power BI, SharePoint, SAP, and trade compliance platforms.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently and make data-driven decisions under tight deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in International Business, Finance, Supply Chain, or related field.
• Customs Broker License (CBL), CCS/CES certifications, or equivalent.
• Experience managing FTZ, Drawback, or Special Program operations.
• Prior experience in apparel, footwear, or consumer goods industry.

Why Kontoor Brands?

At Kontoor, we offer a comprehensive benefit package to fit your lifestyle. Our benefits are crafted with the same care as our products.

When our employees are healthy, secure, and well, they bring their best selves to work. Kontoor Brands supports you with a competitive benefits program that provides choice and flexibility to meet your and your family's needs - now and in the future. We offer resources to support your physical, emotional, social, and financial wellbeing, plus benefits like discounts on our apparel. Kontoor Brands also provides four weeks of Paid Parental Leave to eligible employees who are new parents, Flexible Fridays, and Tuition Reimbursement.

We are proud to offer a workplace culture centered on equitable opportunities and a sense of belonging for all team members. Here we have a global workforce of high-performing teams that both unlocks our individual uniqueness and harnesses our collaborative talents.