Customs Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The Customs Brokerage Supervisor is responsible for supervising the daily customs brokerage operations for import shipments, ensuring cargo is cleared accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with U.S. Customs and other government agency regulations. This role provides day-to-day leadership to the customs brokerage team, oversees workflow and shipment prioritization, and serves as the primary operational resource for customs-related issues. The Customs Brokerage Supervisor works closely with customers, carriers, and internal departments to ensure timely customs clearance while maintaining regulatory compliance and exceptional customer service.

Key Responsibilities:

Customs Brokerage Operations:

• Supervise the daily customs brokerage workflow for import shipments.
• Assign and prioritize work to ensure customer service commitments and regulatory deadlines are achieved.
• Monitor shipment status and proactively resolve customs holds, documentation discrepancies, examinations, and government agency requirements.
• Ensure customs entries are prepared, transmitted, and released accurately and within established service level expectations.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for operational customs brokerage issues.
• Review shipment documentation for completeness and accuracy prior to customs submission.
• Maintain department productivity while balancing workload among team members.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Supervise, coach, and develop Customs Brokerage Specialists and Entry Writers.
• Provide daily direction, training, and technical guidance to brokerage staff.
• Monitor employee performance, accuracy, and productivity while promoting continuous improvement.
• Conduct quality reviews of customs entries and documentation.
• Assist with recruiting, onboarding, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.
• Ensure adequate departmental coverage during vacations, absences, and peak operational periods.

Customs Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with all applicable U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations and Partner Government Agency (PGA) requirements, including FDA, USDA, Fish & Wildlife, and other regulatory agencies.
• Maintain current knowledge of customs laws, tariff classifications, customs valuation, and regulatory changes affecting import operations.
• Review and approve customs documentation including commercial invoices, entry summaries, certificates of origin, and supporting documentation.
• Monitor duty payments, tariff classifications, and customs declarations for accuracy.
• Conduct periodic internal audits to verify compliance with company procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Support CBP audits, post-entry corrections, protests, prior disclosures, and other compliance initiatives as required.

Customer Service and Operational Support:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for escalated customs brokerage issues.
• Communicate proactively with customers regarding clearance requirements, shipment status, examinations, and regulatory concerns.
• Partner with Sales, Account Management, and Operations teams to provide customs guidance and practical solutions.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing clearance times, improving accuracy, and enhancing customer satisfaction.
• Prepare operational and compliance reports for management as requested.

Performance Management:

• Monitor departmental KPIs including entry turnaround times, clearance performance, entry accuracy, customs compliance, and customer service metrics.
• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement corrective actions to improve efficiency.
• Ensure departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are consistently followed and updated as regulations and business requirements evolve.

• Licensed U.S. Customs Broker preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of customs brokerage experience with at least 2 years in a supervisory or lead role.
• Strong working knowledge of CBP regulations, Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), customs valuation, and Partner Government Agency requirements.
• Proficiency in customs brokerage software; CargoWise experience preferred.
• Strong leadership, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while managing multiple priorities.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and benefit package.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Collaborative and dynamic work environment.

This job description is not an inclusive or exhaustive list of responsibilities and may be updated or revised at the Company’s discretion to meet operational needs. Nothing in this job description alters the at-will nature of employment, which may be terminated by either the employee or the Company at any time, with or without cause or advance notice, in accordance with federal and state laws.

HPL Apollo LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local law.