Senior Trade Compliance Specialist

Company:

Finning Canada

Number of Openings:

1

Worker Type:

Permanent

Position Overview:

Finning Canada is seeking an experienced Senior Trade Compliance Specialist to join our team. This is a senior‑level, individual‑contributor role for a trade compliance expert who thrives in complexity, operates with independence, and brings both strategic insight and hands‑on execution to customs and global trade matters across Canada and the United States.

As a trusted internal consultant and subject matter expert, you will guide Finning’s business units (OEM, SITECH, and Power Systems) through high‑risk and technically complex trade scenarios while strengthening compliance frameworks, reducing duty exposure, and driving operational excellence.

• What we can offer you:
• · Great people and place to work with a hybrid work opportunity
• · Career advancement and training opportunities
• · Pension and employee stock purchase plans with company contributions
• · Extensive health benefits including group medical and dental benefits, and short-term and long-term disability benefits
• · For this position, the expected salary range is between $90,000 to $100,000 annually with an additional bonus.

Job Description:

Why Join Finning?

At Finning, we operate at scale across borders, products, and regulatory environments—making trade compliance a critical business enabler. In this role, you’ll have:

Enterprise‑level impact across multiple business entities

Autonomy to shape strategy, process, and governance

Direct interaction with CBSA, CBP, brokers, consultants, and OEM partners

The opportunity to mentor and elevate technical capability across the Trade Compliance team

What You’ll Do

Trade Compliance Leadership & Process Ownership (≈85%)

Own and govern all customs compliance processes across Finning entities, ensuring alignment with current CBSA and CBP regulations

Act as the senior technical expert for Canadian and U.S. customs matters, including:

Tariff classification & valuation

Origin determination & USMCA qualification

SIMA, surtax, PGAs, export controls, and duty programs

Independently manage high‑complexity HS classification , including new product introductions, kits and assemblies, tariff shifts, and multi‑program eligibility reviews

Provide strategic guidance on tariff changes, SIMA applicability, valuation adjustments, and regulatory developments

Own and govern the USMCA qualification and review process for manufactured and remanufactured products

Manage Finning’s CARM account , ensuring compliance, financial security, and system accuracy

Lead detailed audits of broker entries, classifications, valuations, and origin documentation to identify risks and drive corrective action

Serve as Finning’s primary technical contact with CBSA, CBP, customs brokers, Caterpillar, and external advisors

Design and implement process improvements and compliance frameworks that enhance accuracy, efficiency, and risk mitigation

Provide advanced technical mentorship to Trade Compliance Specialists, reducing reliance on management for complex decisions

Duty Recovery & Cost Optimization (≈10%)

Lead technical analysis to identify duty recovery, conditional relief, drawback, and end‑use opportunities

Evaluate parts, assemblies, and product families to determine program eligibility and compliance requirements

Partner with Caterpillar and customs consultants on complex recovery initiatives

Analyze sales and part‑level data to ensure recovery claims are audit‑ready

Quantify financial impact and clearly communicate duty savings opportunities to the business

Operational Escalation & Risk Management (≈5%)

Act as the primary escalation point for high‑risk and high‑value trade issues , including SIMA scope, PGAs, temporary imports, CERS, export controls, and valuation disputes

Review and approve classification, valuation, and duty accuracy for high‑value vendor invoices

Provide hands‑on support during urgent or business‑critical shipments

Coordinate with Treasury on customs bonds and duty payments to prevent financial exposure

What You’ll Be Accountable For

Maintaining expert‑level knowledge of Canadian and U.S. trade regulations

Translating regulatory change into clear, actionable guidance

Proactively identifying compliance risks and implementing mitigation plans

Delivering data‑driven insights, reports, and recommendations to stakeholders

Acting as a trusted internal consultant and thought partner to the business

Supporting continuous improvement, SOP development, and best practices

Safeguarding Finning against penalties, delays, and reputational risk

What You Bring

Skills & Capabilities

Strategic thinker with strong independent judgment and decision‑making ability

Highly analytical with exceptional attention to detail

Clear, confident communicator with strong presentation and training skills

Collaborative influencer able to drive change across functions

High ethical standards and the confidence to advocate for compliance

Technical Knowledge & Expertise

Deep expertise in Canadian and U.S. customs regulations , tariff schedules, GIRs, D‑Memos, WCO notes, SIMA, valuation, and surtax

Advanced understanding of USMCA and free trade agreement qualification

Strong knowledge of HS codes, ECCNs, ECL , and export controls

Experience with duty recovery and minimization programs

Familiarity with PGAs (EPA, FDA, CFIA, DOT, HC, CGP, Environment Canada)

Solid understanding of supply chain, logistics, reverse logistics , and INCOTERMS

Proven ability to lead audits, amendments, and ruling‑based decisions

Education & Experience

Diploma or degree in International Trade, Logistics, Business, or related field

10+ years of experience in customs, trade compliance, export controls, and duty recovery

Professional certifications (or working toward):

Certified Customs Specialist

Certified Trade Compliance Specialist

Customs Export Specialist

Experience with CARM and Single Window (strong asset)

CITP / FIBP as an asset

Experience writing ruling requests and responding to ruling decisions

Familiarity with U.S. export regulations, AES filings , and reporting

Licensed Customs Broker or Control Goods Program experience (asset)

Strong proficiency in Excel and Power BI , including reporting, pivots, and data analysis

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you’re a seasoned trade compliance professional who enjoys solving complex problems, influencing at scale, and protecting the business while enabling growth, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today and help shape the future of trade compliance at Finning Canada.

At Finning, we prioritize creating a diverse and inclusive environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we actively encourage all individuals to express themselves and achieve their full potential. As a company, we continuously strive to enhance our outreach to individuals of all backgrounds and identities. We do not discriminate against applicants based on gender identity, race, national and ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, marital and family status, and/or mental or physical disabilities. Furthermore, Finning is committed to collaborating with and providing reasonable accommodations /adjustments to individuals with disabilities. If you require an adjustment/accommodation at any point during the recruitment process, please inform your recruiter.