Logistics and Trade Compliance Manager

Brief description of position with main outputs and tasks

• The Logistics & Trade Compliance Manager owns end-to-end (E2E) import-export operations for Company's brand portfolio across Vietnam and Cambodia.
• This role is accountable for the outcome: shipments clear customs correctly and on time, duties and taxes are optimized in full compliance with the law, and C/O and FTA preferences are maximized to reduce landed cost.
• The role acts as Company's technical authority on customs, tax, Incoterms, cargo insurance and trade compliance, representing the company before Customs, the Tax Department, forwarders, carriers, insurers and brand principals.
• Main task: 2.1 End-to-End Import-Export Operations
• Own and monitor the full E2E import-export process (booking, shipping documents, customs declaration, clearance, delivery) executed through appointed forwarders, with close attention to high-value or high-risk cargo, ensuring on-time and compliant clearance for all brands.
• Setup, monitor and continuously improve SOPs for shipment routing, including multi-country models in coordination with brand principals.
• Resolve shipment exceptions (shortages, damages, disputes) by coordinating between forwarder, carrier, insurer and brand to determine liability and drive resolution to closure. 2.2 Customs, Tax, C/O & FTA Management
• Act as Company's subject-matter expert on Vietnamese (and Cambodian, where applicable) import- export law, customs regulations, tax policy and post-clearance audit/inspection procedures.
• Directly manage and sign off on customs declarations, duty payments and tax filings, ensuring accuracy of HS codes, dutiable value and applicable preferential tax treatment.
• Drive the full C/O and FTA lifecycle: eligibility assessment, application, validity tracking and expiry monitoring by brand, proactively flagging brands with declining C/O validity ratios and recommending corrective action.
• Manage duty refund and duty drawback processes (e.g., re-export/buy-back shipments), coordinating dossier resubmission as customs requirements evolve and any required on-site customs inspection.
• Work directly with Customs and Tax authorities to resolve declaration disputes, respond to inspections/audits, and negotiate practical, compliant solutions. 2.3 Forwarder, Carrier & Freight Cost Management
• Manage day-to-day and strategic relationships with freight forwarders and shipping lines, holding them accountable for service level, transit time and cost competitiveness.
• Lead freight rate negotiations and competitive bidding/benchmarking across forwarders and carriers to secure rate reductions and improved commercial terms.
• Evaluate and recommend forwarder/carrier changes or dual-sourcing strategies based on total landed cost, reliability and service quality.
• Track and control logistics cost performance against budget; identify and execute cost-saving initiatives. 2.4 Insurance & Risk Management
• Manage cargo insurance arrangements and coverage terms appropriate to shipment value and Incoterms risk transfer point.
• Lead cargo claims (loss, damage, shortage) from filing through settlement, coordinating evidence, liability allocation and negotiation with insurers, forwarders and brands. 2.5 Regulatory Compliance & Product Conformity
• Manage compliance documentation required for import, including textile and other product conformity/declaration obligations, ensuring sampling, testing and declaration dossiers meet applicable QCVN standards. 2.6 Reporting, Governance & Stakeholder Management
• Produce accurate, timely weekly/periodic logistics reports for internal management and the Board, highlighting shipment status, risks, cost trends and action items.
• Maintain organized, audit-ready records of shipping documents, customs dossiers, contracts and compliance files in shared systems.
• Build and manage direct working relationships with brand principals' logistics/compliance teams to align on process changes, cost claims and reporting requirements.
• Supervise, coach and develop logistics team members responsible for customs, C/O and documentation execution.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in international Trade, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Customs, Economics, or a related field.
• Minimum 6-8 years of experience in import-export / logistics operations, of which at least 3 years in a managerial or senior specialist role with direct customs and tax handling responsibility.
• Prior experience in retail, fashion, FMCG or a multi-brand distribution environment is a strong advantage; experience managing shipments for international brand principals preferred.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience working directly with Customs authorities, Tax authorities, and post- clearance audits/inspections (not solely through a forwarder).

Technical Knowledge

• Expert-level knowledge of Vietnamese import-export law, customs regulations, tax law (import/export duty, VAT) and duty refund/drawback procedures, including C/O and FTA eligibility rules, application procedures, validity management and audit defence; working knowledge of Cambodian customs regulations is a plus.
• Strong command of Incoterms (2020) and their implications for cost, risk transfer, and insurance responsibility.
• Familiarity with product conformity/regulatory declaration requirements for imported textile and consumer goods in Vietnam (QCVN standards).
• Working knowledge of freight/forwarding commercial structures (ocean, air, trucking) sufficient to negotiate rates and evaluate forwarder proposals.
• Competencies and skills required (be specific e.g. typing speed, MS Office, Smart suite, etc.)
• Strong negotiation skills, able to represent Company's interests effectively with Customs, Tax authorities, forwarders, carriers, insurers and brand principals.
• Excellent problem-solving and dispute-resolution skills, comfortable owning complex, multi-party issues (e.g., Cargo shortages, C/O disputes) to resolution.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills; proficient in Excel and comfortable working with ERP/customs declaration systems.
• Good business English (spoken and written) for direct communication with international brand principals; Vietnamese fluency required.
• Leadership and people-management skills to guide and develop a small logistics/compliance team.