Branch Manager (Remote, In Chicago Market)

This role is a remote position, but preference will be given to candidates in the local Chicago market, able to meet with local clients in person.

This position is responsible for the day to day oversight and development of the team ensuring clear communication between the branch and stakeholders; managing the overall service delivery to the clients for the U.S. Customs' brokerage as well as international freight forwarding; and ensuring client relationships are maintained through proactive client contact and superior customer service. The Branch Manager is also responsible for identifying new business opportunities and developing strategies to convert these new opportunities into revenue growth. Equally important, this position is responsible for the compliant and profitable operations of the branch.

Job Responsibilities:

Level I:

• Majority of the day to day will be managing the client accounts and ensuring we meet commitment timelines. Along with support from the Supervisor or Assistant Manager, responsible for on-going coaching, and guidance to ensure team members are meeting KPI's.

• Ensure that staff operations are being performed within established timeframes and corporate governance standards and adheres to Customs and all applicable governing agencies' rules & regulations

• Hold team accountable for following prescribed SOP's and process flows to ensure a compliant, efficient, profitable and consistent product

• Provides quality customer service by meeting customers' needs, resolving customer problems, maintaining contact with regular customers, and ensuring timely deliveries.

• Support business development efforts, including client visits, when needed.

• Provide expert advice to both internal and external customers, recognizing when to leverage the Compliance Team when support is needed

• Set standards and procedures so that the Customs entries and client billings and operations as a whole are consistent, accurate, and timely

• Manage duty and freight liabilities to ensure billed and paid amounts are accurate and timely

• Manage and capture audit results and monitor metrics and measurements against standards. Regularly provide feedback and coaching to colleagues and where necessary or required to the Client(with support from Compliance)

• Stay apprised of changing regulatory requirements and disseminate information to staff and/or client

• Actively seek out, develop and implement process improvement opportunities for the business, sharing them with the, District Manager, Director of Operational Development or Director of Transportation, as applicable

• May handle specific duties including: reviewing all entries prior to Customs submittal, processing post entry work, processing customer billing, handling collections, and paying invoices

• Responsibly manages and develops the department's budget and business plan

• Approves expenses, manages branch vendor relationships

• Develops and creates an environment to help motivate direct reports to optimize their performance and professional growth by hiring qualified employees, providing ongoing training and conducting effective performance management, which may include terminations

Level II: In addition to the tasks noted in Level I, the position:

• With support from Compliance, resolves most complex problems with customers and government agencies

• Manages multiple lines of business

• Manages a mid-sized office

Level III: In addition to the tasks noted in Level I and II, the position:

• May supervise a seven day, twenty-four hour operation

• Manages a large-sized office

• May support multiple branches

Travel:

Travel is required up to 15% in this position, including going in to the Port Huron office 1 time per month.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree with a minimum of seven years of customs brokerage experience and five years of supervisory experience or the equivalent of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Extensive knowledge of industry best practices in the areas of U.S. Customs and International Import Freight Forwarding. Currently holds a Customs Brokerage License. Export Freight Forwarding, NVOCC and/or warehouse experience a plus. Willingness to sign a non-compete/non-disclosure agreement.

Competencies:

All Deringer employees should be fully committed to the Core Values:

Passion, Respect, Integrity, Expertise, Innovative Solutions, Relationships, Support, Determination, Value and a High Level of Accountability

In addition, the following competencies are specific to this position:

Analytical

• Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; applies feedback to improve performance; monitors own work to ensure quality; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; demonstrates ability to multi-task and establish priorities.

Customer Oriented

• Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs; solicits customer feedback to improve service; demonstrates ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive and negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions.

Interpersonal Skills

• Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; remains open to others' ideas and tries new things; takes responsibility for own actions; contributes to building a positive team spirit; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

Motivation

• Sets and achieves challenging goals; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; measures self against standard of excellence; takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.

Problem Solving

• Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Work Standards

• Sets high standards and well-defined realistic goals for one's self; displays a high level of effort and commitment towards completing tasks in a timely manner; demonstrates ability to work independently; meets deadlines and handles large volumes of work.

Working Conditions and 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 position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Predominately sedentary light office position with high frequency of keyboarding/computer work required (67% - 100% of the workday).

The employee is required to regularly use hands and fingers; talk and hear.

The employee is occasionally required to walk.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to focus.

The employee usually works in a quiet environment.

Disclaimer:

The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this role and is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Deringer reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.