Trade Compliance Officer
Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day.As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employeesoperatingin over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions.
About the Role
Lead the Trade Compliance function for Xylem Chihuahua, ensuring compliance with Mexican customs and foreign trade regulations while strengthening the site’s processes, controls, and governance.
This role will serve as the primary Trade Compliance owner for the site, overseeing key foreign trade programs and working closely with Operations, Finance, Supply Chain, Materials, Purchasing, Warehouse, Legal, Compliance, customs brokers, and external service providers.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and maintain the site’s IMMEX, PROSEC, and IVA-IEPS Certification programs and other applicable foreign trade authorizations.
* Serve as the primary point of contact with customs authorities (SAT, Secretaria de Economia, and other regulatory agencies) on Trade Compliance matters.
*Serve as the site Trade Compliance Officer, acting as the accountable owner for customs compliance, foreign trade certifications, government interactions, audit readiness, and trade risk management for Xylem Chihuahua.
*Own the relationship with customs brokers, freight forwarders, trade compliance consultants, Annex 24/Annex 30 providers, and other foreign trade service providers, ensuring service level compliance and continuous improvement.
*Lead and maintain the site’s OEA (Authorized Economic Operator) compliance requirements and support certification, recertification, and audit activities.
*Partner with Supply Chain, Logistics, Planning, and Operations teams to ensure compliant execution of inbound and outbound cross-border transactions
* Oversee import and export compliance, including customs documentation, pedimentos, temporary imports, returns, virtual operations, and other applicable customs regimes.
* Manage Annex 24 and Annex 30, including temporary inventory control, reconciliations, discharges, expiration monitoring, and supporting documentation.
*Manage origin qualification analysis, supplier solicitation processes, USMCA certifications, and related documentation to support preferential duty treatment.
* Develop and maintain local Trade Compliance procedures, controls, and work instructions aligned with Xylem policies and Mexican regulations.
* Ensure proper recordkeeping, documentation, approvals, and audit trails for customs and foreign trade activities in accordance with legal retention requirements.
* Manage and monitor customs broker performance, ensuring operational accuracy, compliance, and timely resolution of issues.
*Own and maintain the site's tariff classification database, country of origin, customs valuation, duties, BOM-related trade data, RRNAs/NOMs, USMCA, and other applicable trade requirements and coordinate classification reviews with customs brokers and technical teams.
* Identify opportunities for duty optimization and tariff mitigation, including PROSEC, Rule 8th, preferential trade agreements, and other applicable programs.
* Coordinate internal and external customs audits and regulatory reviews, including preparation of documentation, responses, and corrective actions.
*Conduct periodic Trade Compliance risk assessments and implement mitigation plans to address customs, foreign trade, and regulatory exposure.
* Monitor regulatory changes and assess their impact on the site’s operations and compliance requirements.
* Partner with cross-functional teams to identify risks, implement corrective actions, and continuously improve Trade Compliance processes.
* Support the effective use and integration of Annex 24 system, ERP and other compliance systems.
*Lead customs actions related to regime changes, regularizations, scrap disposition, donations, transfers, and inventory adjustments as required by Mexican foreign trade regulations.
*Conduct periodic due diligence reviews of customs brokers and external trade service providers in accordance with company compliance requirements.
* Provide functional leadership and guidance to Trade Compliance personnel and employees involved in import/export activities.
*Develop and deliver Trade Compliance training programs to employees involved in import, export, purchasing, logistics, engineering, and supply chain activities
* Report significant compliance risks, performance indicators, and improvement opportunities to site and regional leadership.
*Establish and monitor Trade Compliance metrics and KPIs, including customs accuracy, Annex 24/30 compliance, broker performance, audit findings, and corrective action closure.
*Support denied party screening, sanctions compliance, and export control requirements in accordance with applicable regulations and company policies.
*Coordinate periodic inventory reconciliations for temporarily imported materials and fixed assets, ensuring alignment between physical inventory, ERP records, Annex 24, Annex 30, and customs records.
*Manage corrective and preventive action plans resulting from internal audits, customs reviews, and compliance assessments, ensuring timely closure and sustainability.
Key Competencies
- Compliance mindset and ethical decision-making.
- Strong business partnership and stakeholder management.
- Risk assessment and problem-solving.
- Continuous improvement orientation.
- Project management capability.
- Ability to influence without direct authority.
- Attention to detail with a strong sense of accountability.
Qualifications
* Bachelor’s degree in International Trade, International Business, Customs, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or related field.
* 5+ years of experience in Trade Compliance, Customs, or Foreign Trade, preferably in a manufacturing or IMMEX/maquiladora environment.
* Strong hands-on knowledge of IMMEX, PROSEC, IVA-IEPS, Annex 24 and Annex 30.
* Experience with Mexican customs operations, import/export documentation, pedimentos, temporary imports, and inventory control.
* Working knowledge of tariff classification, customs valuation, country of origin, USMCA, RRNAs/NOMs, and customs duties.
* Experience working with customs brokers, consultants, and other third-party providers.
* Experience developing procedures, internal controls, and compliance processes.
* Experience supporting or leading customs audits and regulatory reviews.
* Previous experience leading a team or providing functional leadership is preferred.
* Experience with SAP, OneSource, or similar trade compliance systems is a plus.
* Advanced English required.
* Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
* High level of ownership, accountability, attention to detail, and ability to work independently.
What Success Looks Like
The successful candidate will own the site’s Trade Compliance program, ensuring that processes are controlled, documented, auditable, and aligned with both Xylem requirements and Mexican regulations.
This role is ideal for a Trade Compliance professional who can move beyond day-to-day customs operations and build a sustainable, risk-based compliance program while supporting business and operational objectives.
Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world.