S&S Activewear LLC

Compensation

Full Description

JOIN US AND "CREATE YOUR VISION"  ABOUT US  S&S Activewear is a leading North American, tech-enabled specialty distributor of imprintable apparel, including t-shirts, fleece, athletic wear, headwear, workwear, scrubs and accessories. We pride ourselves on being the “critical link” that enables our 100+ brand partners such as Adidas, Columbia and Gildan to reach our hyper-fragmented base of customers, comprised of apparel decorators, eRetailers and promotional products distributors that embellish apparel items for diverse end consumer use cases (e.g., everyday wear, concerts, fitness attire, life events, team sports, etc.). At S&S, we differentiate in the market through a customer service focus, strategic product portfolio, world-class distribution infrastructure, a collaborative growth culture and a relentless focus on technology and innovation.  Our success has compounded since the Company’s humble beginnings in 1988 as a regional t-shirt distributor to a leading, multi-billion-dollar value-added distribution platform that drives market penetration for our suppliers while enabling the growth, operations and fulfillment for a diverse range of customers across channels and business sizes.   We strive to be the apparel distributor of choice while inspiring and fostering growth for customers, employees and suppliers through our core values of service, deep relationships, innovation, continuous improvement and accountability ABOUT THE ROLE  The Senior Manager, Global Customs Logistics is a pivotal leader responsible for driving international trade compliance and logistics performance across all regions of operation. This role integrates hands-on execution with strategic oversight to ensure adherence to global trade regulations, optimize import/export processes, and foster strong partnerships with customs authorities, brokers, and third-party logistics providers. As a key member of the supply chain leadership team, this individual collaborates cross-functionally with Product Development, Merchandising, Operations, Finance, and external trade partners to develop and implement solutions that mitigate risk, accelerate delivery, and maximize value throughout the global supply network.  SCHEDULE Monday-Friday, Full-Time, Exempt  While we prefer candidates to be based near one of our distribution centers to support stronger collaboration and operational alignment, remote work is available for the right candidate. This role requires up to 30% travel, depending on business needs. WHAT YOU WILL DO   Global Customs & Trade Compliance  * Lead compliance with international trade programs including C-TPAT, PIP, FTZ, and other country-specific regulations. * Oversee classification, valuation, and entry processes in partnership with customs brokers and internal teams. * Monitor global tariff changes, trade agreements, and geopolitical shifts to proactively manage risk and cost exposure. * Develop and maintain customs policies, SOPs, and audit protocols to ensure consistent compliance across all regions. * Manage Binding Ruling requests and tariff engineering initiatives to optimize duty spend. International Logistics Strategy & Execution  * Own relationships with freight forwarders, NVOCCs, ocean carriers, and drayage providers across origin and destination points. * Lead RFPs, rate negotiations, and performance reviews for global logistics partners. * Design and implement flow path strategies balancing cost, service, and inventory needs across multiple ports and modes. * Collaborate with foreign offices and suppliers to ensure timely bookings, shipment visibility, and proactive issue resolution. * Stay current on market conditions and lead contingency planning for disruptions in ocean, air, and ground transportation. Data, Reporting & Continuous Improvement  * Develop and report KPIs for customs compliance, logistics performance, and cost-to-serve metrics. * Leverage ERP and data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI) to analyze trends and identify improvement opportunities. * Drive continuous improvement initiatives with internal and external partners to enhance data integrity, reporting, and SOPs. Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration  * Act as the primary customs and logistics liaison to Merchandising, Product Development, Sourcing, Operations and Finance teams. * Provide strategic consultation on product design and sourcing decisions to minimize importation risks and costs. * Lead internal training and education efforts to build organizational awareness of trade compliance and logistics best practices. * Represent the company in communications with government agencies and industry groups. WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR  * 12–15+ years of progressive experience in global customs, trade compliance, and international logistics. * Proven leadership experience collaborating cross-functional teams and external trade partners. * Deep knowledge of global trade regulations, incoterms, FTAs, and customs programs (C-TPAT, PIP, FTZ). * Strong analytical skills with experience in ERP systems and data tools (Snowflake, Power BI). * Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills. * Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, matrixed, and global environment. WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE  * Reduced landed costs through strategic tariff planning and optimized flow paths. * Zero compliance violations and successful audit outcomes across all regions. * High-performing logistics network with measurable improvements in speed, cost, and service. * Strong cross-functional alignment and proactive risk mitigation across the supply chain. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or listen.  Working Environment Currently, S&S has a remote work policy which provides for employees to be in the office Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and work from home on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which is subject to change based on business need. Position location: Bolingbrook, IL. This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  S&S Activewear welcomes people of all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to creating a diverse culture and supporting human growth. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. We conduct business without regard to sex, race, creed, color, religion, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, age, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, military status, status as a veteran, or any other protected characteristic. Our policy is to recruit, hire, train, promote, assign, transfer, and terminate employees based on their own ability, achievement, experience and conduct and other legitimate business reasons. S&S participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.  This job offer is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check.