Customs Compliance, CHI (Greenwood, SC - Remote)

Customs Compliance, CHI (Greenwood, SC - Remote)

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across five continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.

Lonza is seeking a highly skilled and strategic Global Trade Compliance Lead to serve as the company’s subject matter expert for global import and export compliance, customs strategy, and cross-border supply chain enablement. This role ensures compliance with all applicable trade laws and regulations while actively partnering with business units, logistics, procurement, and commercial teams to unlock value and drive global trade efficiency.

This is not a monitoring and auditing role, this position is expected to shape and implement strategies that optimize duty spend, improve flow of goods, mitigate risk, and accelerate market access for the company’s expanding global operations.

This is a hands-on, yet strategic role suited for a professional who can blend operational depth with global business acumen — someone who not only knows the regulations but uses them as a competitive advantage by:

• Optimizing cost and lead time:
  Streamline import/export processes so goods clear customs faster, and at lower cost (for example, through better use of Free Trade Agreements, duty deferral, or bonded warehouse programs).
• Standardizing global processes:
  Create consistent policies and workflows across regions (e.g., how brokers are managed, how classifications are done) so the company doesn’t waste time reinventing procedures or correcting inconsistent data.
• Leveraging automation and technology:
  Use digital tools or trade management systems (like SAP GTS) to automate repetitive compliance tasks, improve accuracy, and reduce manual effort globally.
• Reducing friction points:
  Identify and remove inefficiencies that delay shipments, trigger customs holds, or cause rework between affiliates and partners.

Our Capsules and Health Ingredients (CHI) division within Lonza is currently made up of the following product portfolios in which we have global manufacturing and distribution activities:

• Hard Empty Capsules: A wide offering of capsules used to deliver pharmaceutical, dietary supplements or other nutraceuticals produced in facilities and held in distribution warehouses across the globe.
• Solid Oral Dosage Form Platform: A set of innovative solid oral dosage form platforms that help solve technical compatibility issues while helping health and nutrition brands tell their story.
• Health Ingredient Portfolio: A range of cutting-edge ingredients designed to address specific health needs such as joint health, muscle building and recovery. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operational Execution & Oversight

• Manage classification activities for all products and materials, ensuring accurate HTS, ECCN, and FDA/USDA product coding across all regions.
• Oversee the submission, accuracy, and timeliness of import/export documentation, including certificates of origin, preferential trade agreements (e.g., USMCA, CAFTA, GSP), and health/veterinary certifications.
• Lead customs broker and freight forwarder performance management, establishing clear KPIs, SLAs, and escalation paths.
• Drive standardization and automation of compliance workflows and documentation, leveraging digital tools and data analytics where possible.

Governance, Risk, and Continuous Improvement

• Design and conduct internal trade compliance audits and partner with internal audit or external advisors as needed.
• Develop corrective action plans and measurable improvement programs based on audit findings and regulatory updates.
• Monitor and interpret global trade regulations, tariffs, and sanctions, advising the business on the impact of changes.
• Support M&A due diligence and integration, ensuring compliant and efficient transition of supply chains and trade activities.

Business Partnership & Education

• Provide expert guidance and training to regional teams, fostering a culture of compliance and proactive risk management.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, offering insights that connect trade compliance to business outcomes such as cost savings, lead-time reduction, and customer reliability.
• Champion cross-functional collaboration to integrate trade compliance early in project lifecycles — from supplier onboarding to new market launches.

Strategic Leadership & Enablement

• Serve as the company’s global point of contact for trade compliance strategy, guiding import/export policy decisions that support business growth and risk mitigation.
• Proactively identify and implement opportunities for duty savings, trade preference utilization, and supply chain optimization across all regions (AMER, EMEA, APAC).
• Partner with global supply chain, procurement, legal, and finance teams to align trade strategies with sourcing decisions, new product introductions, and market expansions.
• Develop and implement a forward-looking global customs compliance framework, balancing efficiency, cost, and compliance risk.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, international business, or related field
• Proven experience in global trade compliance and customs strategy
• Strong knowledge of import/export regulations and trade agreements
• Ability to balance compliance, cost efficiency, and operational speed
• Skilled in process improvement and technology adoption (e.g., SAP GTS)
• Ability to work collaboratively across regions and functions

Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.

People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.

Lonza is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.