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Global Trade Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

What you'll do As a Manager on our Global Trade team, you will participate in engagements requiring regulatory analysis for a variety of entities and their affiliates; you will work with U.S. and ...

What you'll do As a Manager on our Global Trade team, you will participate in engagements requiring regulatory analysis for a variety of entities and their affiliates; you will work with U.S. and ...

What you'll do As a Manager on our Global Trade team, you will participate in engagements requiring regulatory analysis for a variety of entities and their affiliates; you will work with U.S. and ...

Manager, Indirect Tax - Global Trade

Chicago, IL · On-site

$128K - $162K/yr

What you'll do As a Manager on our Global Trade team, you will participate in engagements requiring regulatory analysis for a variety of entities and their affiliates; you will work with U.S. and ...

What you'll do As a Manager on our Global Trade team, you will participate in engagements requiring regulatory analysis for a variety of entities and their affiliates; you will work with U.S. and ...

What you'll do As a Manager on our Global Trade team, you will participate in engagements requiring regulatory analysis for a variety of entities and their affiliates; you will work with U.S. and ...

What you'll do As a Manager on our Global Trade team, you will participate in engagements requiring regulatory analysis for a variety of entities and their affiliates; you will work with U.S. and ...

What you'll do As a Manager on our Global Trade team, you will participate in engagements requiring regulatory analysis for a variety of entities and their affiliates; you will work with U.S. and ...

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Global Trade Manager information

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$27.5K

$81.7K

$137.5K

How much do global trade manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for global trade manager in the United States is $81,677.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a global trade manager do?

A Global Trade Manager oversees and coordinates a company's international trade operations, ensuring compliance with trade regulations and optimizing supply chain efficiency. They manage import and export processes, handle documentation, and collaborate with customs brokers, logistics providers, and internal teams. Their role involves staying current with global trade laws, negotiating shipping contracts, and minimizing risks related to international transactions. They play a crucial part in expanding a company's global reach and maintaining smooth cross-border operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a global trade manager?

To thrive as a Global Trade Manager, you need expertise in international trade regulations, supply chain management, and a solid background in business or logistics, often supported by a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with trade compliance software, ERP systems, and certifications like Certified Customs Specialist (CCS) or Certified Export Specialist (CES) are highly valuable. Strong negotiation, cross-cultural communication, and problem-solving skills help you manage relationships and navigate complex global markets. These skills and qualifications are critical for ensuring regulatory compliance, minimizing risk, and optimizing international business operations.

What are some common challenges a global trade manager faces when coordinating international shipments?

A Global Trade Manager often contends with complex regulations, varying customs requirements, and unpredictable logistics disruptions across different countries. Navigating these challenges requires strong attention to detail, adaptability, and constant communication with suppliers, freight forwarders, and internal stakeholders. Staying updated on trade agreements and tariffs is also crucial to mitigate risks and ensure compliance, making cross-functional collaboration and ongoing professional development essential parts of the role.

What is the difference between Global Trade Manager vs Trade Compliance Specialist?

AspectGlobal Trade ManagerTrade Compliance Specialist
CredentialsBachelor's degree in international business, logistics, or related field; certifications like CTPAT or FTZSimilar credentials; certifications like CTPAT, IATA, or customs compliance certifications
Work EnvironmentOversees global logistics, customs, and trade regulations; often manages teams and strategiesFocuses on ensuring company compliance with trade laws; often works within compliance or legal departments
Employer & IndustryManufacturers, import/export firms, multinational corporationsCustoms brokers, import/export companies, multinational firms

The Global Trade Manager and Trade Compliance Specialist roles both require knowledge of international trade regulations and certifications. The main difference lies in scope: the Global Trade Manager oversees overall trade strategies and logistics, while the Trade Compliance Specialist focuses specifically on ensuring compliance with trade laws and regulations. Both roles are vital in global supply chains but serve different operational functions.

What cities are hiring for Global Trade Manager jobs?

Cities with the most Global Trade Manager job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Global Trade jobs?

The most popular types of Global Trade jobs are:

What states have the most Global Trade Manager jobs?

States with the most job openings for Global Trade Manager jobs include:

Infographic showing various Global Trade Manager job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,677 per year, or $39.3 per hour.

Director, Global Trade

Waters Corporation

Milford, MA • On-site

Other

Re-posted 17 days ago


Job description

Overview
Position Summary
The Director, Global Trade Compliance & Trade Operations is a senior enterprise leader responsible for defining and advancing the company's global trade strategy, integrating regulatory compliance with world-class import/export operations. This role operates at the intersection of risk governance and supply chain execution, ensuring the organization can scale globally while maintaining strict adherence to international trade laws.
This role carries elevated scope, visibility, and influence-serving as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and a key enabler of global growth. The Director will lead transformation initiatives, shape global policy, and build a forward-looking trade capability that supports a complex, innovation-driven life sciences business.
Typical tasks of the position include, but are not limited to
Key Responsibilities
  1. Global Trade Strategy & Executive Advisory
  • Define and lead the enterprise-wide vision and multi-year roadmap for global trade compliance and operations.
  • Act as a strategic advisor to senior leadership on trade-related risks, opportunities, and geopolitical developments.
  • Translate complex regulatory environments into actionable business strategies that enable growth while safeguarding compliance.
  • Drive alignment between global trade strategy and broader supply chain, commercial, and innovation priorities.
  1. Enterprise Compliance Governance & Oversight
  • Establish and maintain a robust global compliance framework, including policies, controls, and governance mechanisms across all regions and business units.
  • Provide executive-level oversight of compliance with:
    • Export controls (EAR)
    • Sanctions/embargo regulations (OFAC, EU, UN)
    • Global customs and import/export regulations
  • Lead enterprise risk assessments, compliance audits, and regulatory readiness efforts.
  • Oversee investigation, escalation, and resolution of complex compliance issues, including voluntary disclosures where necessary.
  • Interface directly with regulatory authorities and internal / external counsel on high-impact matters.
  1. Integrated Global Trade Operations Leadership
  • Own end-to-end global import/export performance, ensuring seamless integration between compliance requirements and operational execution.
  • Drive operational excellence and standardization across regions, balancing global consistency with regional regulatory needs.
  • Oversee strategic partnerships with customs brokers and freight forwarders.
  • Establish and govern performance metrics tied to service, cost, compliance, and customer impact.
  • Lead initiatives to enhance resilience, visibility, and agility across global trade flows.
  1. Risk Mitigation & Trade Optimization
  • Anticipate and proactively manage risks related to sanctions, export controls, classification, valuation, and country-of-origin.
  • Lead advanced trade optimization strategies, including:
    • Free Trade Agreement (FTA) programs
    • Duty savings and avoidance mechanisms
    • Tariff mitigation and classification strategies (e.g. FSFE, NRI)
  • Continuously evaluate global trade landscapes to identify risks and opportunities tied to geopolitical shifts and regulatory changes.
  1. Digital Transformation & Data-Driven Leadership
  • Own the global trade technology strategy, including the implementation and optimization of Global Trade Management (GTM) systems.
  • Champion automation, data integrity, and analytics to enhance compliance accuracy and operational efficiency.
  • Drive integration of trade systems into core ERP and supply chain platforms to enable end-to-end visibility.
  • Leverage advanced analytics to inform decision-making, monitor risk indicators, and improve performance outcomes.
  1. Cross-Functional Influence & Business Partnership
  • Serve as a key partner to Supply Chain, Legal, Manufacturing, Finance, Regulatory Affairs, and Commercial leadership.
  • Provide proactive guidance on trade implications for product development, technology transfers, market expansion, and M&A activities.
  • Influence enterprise decision-making by embedding trade considerations early in strategic initiatives.
  • Elevate trade compliance as a business enabler rather than a control function.
  1. Organizational Leadership & Capability Building
  • Lead, scale, and develop a globally distributed organization spanning compliance and trade operations.
  • Build a strong leadership bench and succession pipeline, with a focus on long-term capability development.
  • Establish a high-performance culture centered on accountability, continuous improvement, and ethical conduct.
  • Deliver enterprise-wide training and awareness programs to strengthen compliance culture.

The successful candidate will have a combination of knowledge, skills, and experience that would include the following
Qualifications
Education & Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in International Business, Supply Chain, Law, or related field (advanced degree strongly preferred).
  • 12-15+ years of progressive experience in global trade compliance and international logistics, including significant leadership scope.
  • Demonstrated success leading global trade programs in life sciences, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or other highly regulated industries.
  • Experience interacting with executive leadership and influencing enterprise-level decisions.

Technical Expertise
  • Deep expertise in export controls, sanctions regulations, customs compliance, and global logistics.
  • Advanced knowledge of classification (ECCN/HTS), licensing, valuation, and origin rules.
  • Strong experience with GTM systems (e.g., SAP GTS) and ERP integration.
  • Proven ability to lead audits, regulatory engagements, and complex compliance investigations.

Leadership & Competencies
  • Proven ability to operate with autonomy in high-impact, high-visibility roles.
  • Strong strategic orientation combined with disciplined execution.
  • Exceptional stakeholder management, with the ability to influence at executive levels.
  • Demonstrated success leading transformation and building scalable global capabilities.

Company Description
Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) is a global leader in life sciences and diagnostics, dedicated to accelerating the benefits of pioneering science through analytical technologies, informatics, and service. With a focus on regulated, high-volume testing environments, our innovative portfolio harnesses deep scientific expertise across chemistry, physics, and biology. We collaborate with customers around the world to advance the release of effective, high-quality medicines, ensure the safety of food and water, and drive better patient outcomes by detecting diseases earlier, managing routine infections, and combating antibiotic resistance. Through a shared culture of relentless innovation, our passionate team of ~16,000 colleagues turn scientific challenges into breakthroughs that improve lives worldwide.
Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our core values at Waters Corporation. It benefits our employees, our products, our customers and our community. Waters complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, marital status (including civil unions), military service, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, legally recognized disability, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Waters is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.