Head of Trade Affairs & Compliance

Overview: As Head of Trade Affairs & Compliance, you will be responsible for the development and execution of LONGi Solar's trade program, including import/customs compliance and driving effective customs clearance processes. The role will have a strong matrix partnership with LONGi Solar’s Public Affairs and Sustainability function. Reporting to the Head of Europe Region, this role will have significant strategic impact on cutting edge international trade issues affecting LONGi Solar’s business. 

Responsibilities include: 

• Applying in-depth knowledge of trade policies, regulations and controls to shape the international trade regulatory and policy landscape and to help create a barrier-free trade environment for the company
• Developing and executing company’s trade strategy, working closely with both Europe and HQ team to resolve the potential goods detention or import delays into the EU market, and ensuring that LONGi Solar's international trade strategy is aligned with the company’s goals, especially as it pertains to EU-China trade relations
• Communicating new policies, regulations, regulatory guidance and awareness to business unit leaders, so they understand the requirements that pertain to their business
• Developing, driving, implementing effective import/customs compliance procedures and handling the potential goods detention or import delays
• Serving as a point of contact for interactions with government agencies on all trade related matters, including acting as liaison between LONGi Solar and EU regulatory agencies, and LONGi Solar’s customers and external third parties in trade matters
• Leading, advising, collaborating with the Europe and HQ teams in support of day-to-day trade issues, including import/customs clearance as well as broader international trade areas, such as Antidumping & Countervailing Duties (AD/CVD)
• Providing guidance, as needed, on harmonized tariff classification, customs valuation, and country of origin determination and other governmental data points of certain products and purchases
• Regularly interacting with senior management or executive levels to present and train on international trade compliance topics
• Remaining abreast of current and relevant EU customs laws, trade initiatives, and relevant EU regulatory changes and analysing potential impacts to the company, and developing trade compliance procedures and processes to accordingly address regulatory changes
• Partnering with industry, governments and multilateral institutions relating to international trade and representing the company at relevant trade associations (e.g., WTO, WCO)
• Developing positive working relationships with Trade-related thought leaders and key stakeholders to inform decisions and public statements impacting the company business
• Creating trade policy content that will be used to facilitate LONGi Solar’s engagement with stakeholders including written comments and document productions to government agencies
• Obtaining internal buy-in to drive trade strategy development and lead implementation of compliance initiatives
• Driving trade compliance (as well as trade related litigation) risk management strategies and processes, consistent with requirements of all countries and regions in which the company transacts business, and develop mitigating strategies for the business
• Acting as DPO to advise on compliance with GDPR and local data protection laws, monitoring the adherence to GDPR standards and acting as a point of contact with supervisory authorities and data subjects. Creating policies that enforce compliance with legislation and deliver GDPR trainings to staff to increase awareness of data protection measures.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s degree in law from an accredited EU law school
• Licensed and in good standing to practice law in at least one EU jurisdiction
• 8+ years of work experience in international trade, with emphasis on import/customs experience, particularly at a government regulatory agency, and ideally some experience either in-house and/or at a nationally recognized law firm in a robust international trade practice
• Experience working in energy, renewables, solar, manufacturing, construction, or related industries is ideal
• Experience working for multi-national companies is ideal

WE OFFER: 

• A challenging position in a market leading photovoltaic company. 
• The chance to work in a global team with international vision. 
• A promising career development within our fast-growing organization. 
• Colleagues who are as smart, supportive, hardworking, and driven as you. 
• A competitive salary with a success-based variable, additional benefits, and other attractive perks.