Vice President, Customs Brokerage Operations

Vice President, Customs Brokerage Operations

Compensation: $180,000 - 200,000 Annually

Job Description:

The Vice President of Customs Brokerage Operations is the senior executive responsible for leading, scaling, and optimizing the company’s U.S. customs brokerage network, including all bonded operations such as Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs), Container Freight Stations (CFS), bonded warehouses, and other CBP‑regulated facilities. This role ensures operational excellence, regulatory compliance, digital transformation, and customer experience across a multi‑site, multi‑service customs environment.

The VP serves as the enterprise’s subject‑matter authority on customs operations, FTZ administration, and trade compliance, driving strategy, process standardization, and continuous improvement to support growth, profitability, and risk mitigation.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Operational Excellence

• Lead national customs brokerage operations across all entry types (01, 11, 86, 51, 52, 06, etc.) and bonded environments (FTZ, CFS, IBEC, bonded warehouse).
• Develop and execute a multi‑year operational strategy aligned with company growth, digital transformation, and compliance priorities.
• Build scalable, standardized operating models, SOPs, KPIs, and governance frameworks across all brokerage and bonded facilities.
• Drive performance management, productivity, and cost optimization across all brokerage teams and bonded operations.

Bonded Facilities & FTZ Management

• Oversee the administration, compliance, and operational performance of all FTZ sites, including activation, inventory control, admissions, weekly entry processes, and CBP reporting.
• Ensure bonded warehouses, CFS operations, and other CBP‑regulated facilities maintain full compliance with 19 CFR requirements, security standards, and audit readiness.
• Partner with Trade Compliance, Legal, and IT to maintain robust inventory control systems (ICSS), zone automation tools, and recordkeeping programs.
• Lead relationships with local CBP ports, FP&F, and regulatory agencies to maintain strong standing and proactively address issues.

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

• Serve as the senior operational authority on CBP regulations, PGA requirements, and trade compliance best practices.
• Ensure adherence to all regulatory requirements, including ACE, ABI, ISF, CTPAT, FTZ Board regulations, and bonded facility controls.
• Oversee internal audit programs, broker management systems, and corrective action plans.
• Maintain a strong compliance culture with disciplined classification, valuation, origin determination, and post‑entry processes.

Digital Transformation & Automation

• Partner with Technology teams to enhance digital capabilities, including automation of entry workflows, FTZ inventory systems, document ingestion, and exception management.
• Evaluate and implement new tools (AI/ML classification, OCR, API integrations, client portals) to improve speed, accuracy, and visibility.
• Drive data quality, reporting, and analytics to support operational decision‑making.

Client Experience & Commercial Partnership

• Ensure high‑quality service delivery, responsiveness, and compliance for key accounts, including FTZ and bonded‑facility customers with complex supply chains.
• Collaborate with Sales, Account Management, and Solutions Design to support new business, RFPs, and customer onboarding.
• Act as an executive sponsor for strategic clients requiring advanced customs, FTZ, or bonded‑facility expertise.

People Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a national team of licensed brokers, FTZ administrators, bonded facility managers, and operations leaders.
• Build a high‑performance culture focused on compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure appropriate staffing, training, succession planning, and professional development across all sites.

Qualifications

• 10–15+ years of progressive leadership experience in U.S. customs brokerage operations, including direct oversight of bonded facilities and FTZs.
• Deep knowledge of CBP regulations, 19 CFR, FTZ Board regulations, and PGA requirements.
• Experience managing multi‑site brokerage operations with high‑volume, multi‑industry customer portfolios.
• Proven success leading digital transformation, automation initiatives, and operational standardization.
• Strong executive communication skills and ability to influence cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) required.
• FTZ Operator or Administrator experience strongly preferred.
• Experience in a 3PL, freight forwarder, or customs‑focused logistics environment.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

Since 1990, Forward Air has been a leading provider of ground transportation and related logistics services to the North American air freight and expedited LTL market. We offer surface shipping on an accelerated “time-definite” basis, delivering cargo at a specific time, but under less time-sensitive situations – supplying you with a cost effective, reliable alternative to air transportation. We work with companies of all sizes to develop tangible advantages and build the best products to meet your specific needs. Forward Air presents to the wholesale transportation community (logistics companies, freight forwarders, integrated air cargo carriers, passenger/ cargo airlines, and non-traditional shippers), a single-source provider that can deliver more supply chain services and a superior menu of choices. Throughout the years we have added supplementary lines to our linehaul service, such as full truckload operations (Truckload Services), final-mile coverage (Complete® Cartage), and an Airline Logistics program, and we will continue to expand our services to meet the changing needs and growth of our customer base.

Forward Air is structured to optimize both savings and service to our customers. Direct partnerships with owner-operators and other surface transportation providers, enable us to remain cost-competitive. The Forward Air network is designed with over 90 facilities located at or near major U.S. and Canadian airports, 12 regional sort centers and over 300 beyond points (secondary airports provided through our Complete Cartage service), creating one of the most comprehensive linehaul networks in the industry.

Ranked 3rd in Newsweeks 2022 "Americas Most Trustworthy Companies" publication