Dir, Trade Compliance at Progress Rail
Progress Rail · Albertville, United States Of America · Onsite
- Senior
- Office in Albertville
Job Purpose
Lead the global trade compliance program, covering imports, exports, sanctions, forced-labor risk, and government reporting. Own strategy, governance, enabling processes/systems, and the team that ensures shipments, technology transfers, and data flows comply with CBP, EAR/OFAC, and applicable foreign regimes (EU, UK, Canada, LATAM, APAC). Serve as primary contact for regulatory inquiries, audits, and disclosures; partner with operations, supply chain, transportation, finance/tax, legal, and IT to reduce risk while improving speed-to-ship.
Company Description
Progress Rail stands at the intersection of legacy and innovation—driving the future of rail with a pioneering spirit. Since its founding in 1983, the company has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most trusted providers of railroad products, services, and technologies. Today, Progress Rail delivers a comprehensive portfolio of cost-effective solutions to railway customers around the globe. From the rails themselves to the EMD® locomotives that ride them, the company’s products are in operation across more than 100 countries—powering progress and connecting communities. In 2006, Progress Rail joined Caterpillar Inc., further strengthening its ability to lead the rail industry with cutting-edge technology, unmatched expertise, and a commitment to excellence. At Progress Rail, the team is not just building the future of rail—they are making history every day.
Education / Training
• Bachelor's degree;
• Licensed US Customs broker (required);
• Import or Export Certification or equivalent experience;
• Licensed US Customs broker (required);
• Import or Export Certification or equivalent experience;
Job Title
Director, Trade Compliance
City
Albertville
Key Job Elements
• Continuously improve global trade compliance framework tailored to our footprint, including policy, standards, controls, training, and monitoring.
• Lead the company response to UFLPA (program, supplier mapping, evidence packages, high-priority sector monitoring, Entity List screening) and manage detentions/rebuttals.
• Oversee EU CBAM transitional reporting (through 12/31/2025) and readiness for certificate surrender from 1/1/2026, including data capture, supplier attestations, and Registry submissions.
• Drive risk-based training and change management for logistics, engineering, sourcing, order management, and finance; publish job-specific curricula and annual refreshers.
• Oversee classification (HTS/ECCN), origin, valuation, Importer/Exporter of Record, DG/IATA/IMDG, and regulatory interfaces (CBP, FDA/USDA, EPA, BIS/OFAC, and relevant EU/UK/CA/BR authorities).
• Manage sanctions/export, FDPR, end-use/user screening, license/exception strategy, technology and deemed export controls; monitor BIS/OFAC rule changes (e.g., Russia/Belarus).
• Interact internally and externally at various levels - from compliant execution at the shipping dock to negotiating Global Trade Compliance governance policies with operations and, as applicable, executive level management.
• Maintain compliance with applicable laws and Caterpillar/Enterprise procedures, integrating with internal controls and Internal Audit.
• Own program renewals (e.g., CTPAT), manage self-assessments and corrective action plans, including forced-labor criteria.
• Conduct due diligence for acquisitions and divestitures, bid and contract reviews for import/export compliance and coordinate with Tax Director, when appropriate;
• Manage third-party service providers; negotiate statements of work & rates; and coordinate with transportation to manage freight forwarders/carriers;
• Provide oversight of Customs Audits and other Requests/Inquiries; Address penalty notices including preparing mitigation responses;
• Track and report Section 232 and 301 actions (rates/timing), advise sourcing/pricing, and manage exclusion opportunities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key contacts within the Enterprise to provide visibility to
compliance risks and enlist support from the top down;
• IT Liaison for import, export and customs operations activities, including discover and implementation stages for the LN project;
• Management of Import/Export Operation staff and activities;
• Oversight of US Customs Requests for Information (CF28) and Notice of Action Taken (CF29);
• Mentor and develop International Trade Compliance Group staff;
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
• Lead the company response to UFLPA (program, supplier mapping, evidence packages, high-priority sector monitoring, Entity List screening) and manage detentions/rebuttals.
• Oversee EU CBAM transitional reporting (through 12/31/2025) and readiness for certificate surrender from 1/1/2026, including data capture, supplier attestations, and Registry submissions.
• Drive risk-based training and change management for logistics, engineering, sourcing, order management, and finance; publish job-specific curricula and annual refreshers.
• Oversee classification (HTS/ECCN), origin, valuation, Importer/Exporter of Record, DG/IATA/IMDG, and regulatory interfaces (CBP, FDA/USDA, EPA, BIS/OFAC, and relevant EU/UK/CA/BR authorities).
• Manage sanctions/export, FDPR, end-use/user screening, license/exception strategy, technology and deemed export controls; monitor BIS/OFAC rule changes (e.g., Russia/Belarus).
• Interact internally and externally at various levels - from compliant execution at the shipping dock to negotiating Global Trade Compliance governance policies with operations and, as applicable, executive level management.
• Maintain compliance with applicable laws and Caterpillar/Enterprise procedures, integrating with internal controls and Internal Audit.
• Own program renewals (e.g., CTPAT), manage self-assessments and corrective action plans, including forced-labor criteria.
• Conduct due diligence for acquisitions and divestitures, bid and contract reviews for import/export compliance and coordinate with Tax Director, when appropriate;
• Manage third-party service providers; negotiate statements of work & rates; and coordinate with transportation to manage freight forwarders/carriers;
• Provide oversight of Customs Audits and other Requests/Inquiries; Address penalty notices including preparing mitigation responses;
• Track and report Section 232 and 301 actions (rates/timing), advise sourcing/pricing, and manage exclusion opportunities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key contacts within the Enterprise to provide visibility to
compliance risks and enlist support from the top down;
• IT Liaison for import, export and customs operations activities, including discover and implementation stages for the LN project;
• Management of Import/Export Operation staff and activities;
• Oversight of US Customs Requests for Information (CF28) and Notice of Action Taken (CF29);
• Mentor and develop International Trade Compliance Group staff;
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Experience
• 10+ years of experience in import and export compliance activities working for an importer, exporter or service provider, such as a customs broker, consulting or managed service firm;
• Hands-on engagement/experience with the USDA, BIS, U.S. Customs, OFAC and corresponding EU regulatory agencies;
• Demonstrated forced-labor compliance program leadership (UFLPA evidence packages, supplier mapping, detention management).
• Demonstrated understanding of OFAC and BIS requirements for restricted parties and countries, export licensing (including technology review and deemed export licensing), and reporting and documentation;
• In-depth expertise with the Harmonized Code System and Explanatory Notes & US Customs classification; demonstrated experience in maintaining a database of import data in full compliance with reporting requirements of US Customs; experience with US Customs compliance audits preferred;
• Experience building departmental and/or cross-functional Trade Controls governance infrastructure;
• Bachelor’s degree or higher college degree is required;
• Experience managing multiple projects/processes;
• Strong written and verbal communications skills;
• Strength in change leadership, executive communication, and risk-based decisioning.
Essential and Physical Activities Functions
• Strength – Position involves work in a standard office environment. Constant sitting. Occasional standing. Rare walking, lifting;
• Motion – Position requires standard occasional repetitive motions and hand/eye coordination associated with research and office communications;
• Vision/Hearing Requirements – Occasional communications, including both talking and hearing;
• Work Environment – Position will typically be located in an office environment;
• Emotional Demands – Expected to lead and train a team of 11-20 personnel in order to meet operational requirements;
• Safety – Position is primarily limited to general office safety requirements.
• Hands-on engagement/experience with the USDA, BIS, U.S. Customs, OFAC and corresponding EU regulatory agencies;
• Demonstrated forced-labor compliance program leadership (UFLPA evidence packages, supplier mapping, detention management).
• Demonstrated understanding of OFAC and BIS requirements for restricted parties and countries, export licensing (including technology review and deemed export licensing), and reporting and documentation;
• In-depth expertise with the Harmonized Code System and Explanatory Notes & US Customs classification; demonstrated experience in maintaining a database of import data in full compliance with reporting requirements of US Customs; experience with US Customs compliance audits preferred;
• Experience building departmental and/or cross-functional Trade Controls governance infrastructure;
• Bachelor’s degree or higher college degree is required;
• Experience managing multiple projects/processes;
• Strong written and verbal communications skills;
• Strength in change leadership, executive communication, and risk-based decisioning.
Essential and Physical Activities Functions
• Strength – Position involves work in a standard office environment. Constant sitting. Occasional standing. Rare walking, lifting;
• Motion – Position requires standard occasional repetitive motions and hand/eye coordination associated with research and office communications;
• Vision/Hearing Requirements – Occasional communications, including both talking and hearing;
• Work Environment – Position will typically be located in an office environment;
• Emotional Demands – Expected to lead and train a team of 11-20 personnel in order to meet operational requirements;
• Safety – Position is primarily limited to general office safety requirements.
EEO
Progress Rail is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.
Benefits
Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance, and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Progress Rail.**
*Benefits eligibility varies by job position, full-time/part-time and regular/temporary status. The provisions of the plan documents control such benefits.
**Subject to position, eligibility, and plan guidelines.
- Competitive Salary
- 401(k) plan with up to 6% company match (no waiting period with immediate vesting)
- Medical/Dental/Vision/Life/Disability Insurance
- Supplemental Accident, Critical Care, and Hospital Insurance available along with an HDHP and HSA with seed money
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Time-Off (PTO)
- Employee Assistance Plan
- Education Assistance Program
- Employee Recognition Programs
- Site specific Production and Incentive Plans
- Site specific Step and Skill Level Wage Adjustment Plans
- Site Specific Relocation and Sign-on Bonus Programs
*Benefits eligibility varies by job position, full-time/part-time and regular/temporary status. The provisions of the plan documents control such benefits.
**Subject to position, eligibility, and plan guidelines.
Job Category
Compliance/Legal
State:
Alabama
