Success Outcome
A controlled, efficient, scalable, and audit-ready Taiwan trade operations environment that supports business continuity and cost optimization.
Position Summary
The Trade Operations Leader is responsible for leading and overseeing all aspects of import, export, customs, Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ), and trade operations activities across Taiwan. This role serves as the primary regional owner for trade execution, customs compliance support, broker management, duty optimization initiatives, and strategic trade programs. The position ensures compliant, efficient, and resilient cross-border movement of materials, spare parts, manufacturing equipment, and finished goods while supporting business continuity, cost optimization, and regulatory compliance objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Customs & Port Clearance Management
Own end-to-end import and export operations for Taiwan.
Ensure timely clearance of inbound and outbound shipments through Taiwan customs and port operations.
Manage relationships with customs brokers, freight forwarders, carriers, and government agencies.
Resolve customs holds, inspections, valuation issues, classification disputes, and documentation discrepancies.
Establish and maintain customs clearance procedures and broker operating instructions.
Monitor customs clearance performance, service levels, and escalation trends.
Lead escalation management for critical shipments impacting customer commitments or manufacturing operations.
FTZ Operations & Governance
Serve as the designated business owner for Taiwan FTZ operations.
Ensure compliance with all FTZ regulations, operating procedures, and reporting requirements.
Oversee FTZ admissions, transfers, exports, inventory reconciliation, destruction, scrap, audits, and regulatory inspections.
Maintain inventory accuracy between physical inventory and system records.
Develop and implement FTZ operational controls and standard operating procedures.
Coordinate periodic reviews and internal audits of FTZ activities.
Trade Operations Execution
Lead regional execution of trade operations activities across Taiwan.
Standardize processes for import management, export management, customs documentation, trade program administration, and broker management.
Ensure operational readiness for changes in trade regulations, tariffs, sanctions, and customs requirements.
Support regional business growth through scalable Trade Operations processes.
Duty & Tax Optimization
Identify opportunities for FTZ utilization, duty reduction, tariff mitigation, tax optimization, and customs value management.
Partner with Global Trade Compliance and Finance to quantify and implement savings initiatives.
Support duty recovery and drawback opportunities where applicable.
Develop business cases for new trade programs and customs initiatives.
Broker & Service Provider Management
Manage regional customs brokerage strategy and execution.
Establish broker scorecards and performance metrics.
Conduct quarterly business reviews with brokers and service providers.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives with logistics and customs partners.
Monitor service levels and compliance performance.
Regulatory Compliance Support
Partner with Global Trade Compliance to ensure operational execution aligns with Taiwan customs regulations, export controls, import controls, free trade agreements, and government licensing requirements.
Support internal and external audits.
Maintain documentation supporting customs declarations and audits.
Assist with investigations related to customs inquiries and regulatory issues.
Cross-Functional Leadership
Act as the Taiwan trade operations subject matter expert.
Collaborate with Manufacturing Operations, Logistics, Procurement, Customer Support, Supply Chain Planning, Finance, and Global Trade Compliance.
Lead projects involving new product introductions, facility expansions, FTZ activations, ERP enhancements, broker consolidations, and network optimization.
Data Analytics & Continuous Improvement
Develop KPIs and dashboards to monitor customs clearance performance, broker effectiveness, duty spend, FTZ inventory accuracy, shipment cycle times, and compliance metrics.
Identify process improvement opportunities using Lean and continuous improvement methodologies.
Drive digital transformation and automation initiatives across trade operations processes.
Key Performance Indicators
Customs clearance cycle time
Import/export on-time clearance rate
FTZ inventory accuracy
Customs audit findings
Broker performance scorecard
Duty and tax savings achieved
Trade compliance incident rate
Shipment hold resolution time
Operational cost reduction initiatives
Stakeholder satisfaction
Required Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, International Business, Logistics, Customs Administration, Trade Compliance, Finance, or a related field.
Master's degree preferred.
Experience
10+ years of international trade, customs, logistics, or supply chain experience.
5+ years of leadership experience.
Direct experience managing customs brokers and import/export operations in Taiwan.
Strong understanding of FTZ operations and inventory control requirements.
Experience supporting manufacturing and high-technology environments.
Experience working with customs authorities and government agencies.
Technical Knowledge
Taiwan customs regulations
Import/export operations
FTZ management
Harmonized tariff classification
Customs valuation
Rules of origin
Duty optimization programs
SAP ERP / SAP GTS or equivalent systems
Customs broker management
Leadership Competencies
Strategic thinking
Operational excellence
Stakeholder management
Regulatory risk management
Change leadership
Data-driven decision making
Influencing without authority
Executive communication
Continuous improvement mindset
Strong commercial acumen
Reporting Structure
Reports to: APAC Trade Operations Leader
Typical direct reports may include Trade Operations Specialists, Import/Export Analysts, FTZ Administrator, and Trade Program Analyst, as applicable.
Success Profile
The successful candidate will create a highly controlled, efficient, and scalable trade operations environment that enables uninterrupted manufacturing and customer fulfillment while maximizing FTZ benefits, minimizing duty exposure, strengthening customs compliance, and driving operational excellence throughout Taiwan.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 5 years
About KLA
We provide advanced inspection tools, metrology systems, process solutions, and computational analytics that make electronics possible, tackling complex challenges. From electron and photon optics to machine learning and data analytics, we seek perfection at the most fundamental level of matter in the universe. If you want to make electronics that push industries forward and make the world a better place, join us.
Use of AI Statement
At KLA, our interviews seek to understand your individual skills, problem-solving approach and authentic thinking. To ensure a fair and consistent evaluation, the use of AI, recording tools or other technologies to generate, suggest or provide responses during interviews—whether virtual or in person—is not permitted unless explicitly approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation or invited by the interviewer. Use of these tools may interfere with our ability to evaluate your individual qualifications and affect your candidacy. KLA is committed to advancing innovation through responsible AI, and we value candidates who share this mindset.
We offer a competitive, family friendly total rewards package. We design our programs to reflect our commitment to an inclusive environment, while ensuring we provide benefits that meet the diverse needs of our employees.
KLA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
