Cynthia Barrett
Port Saint Lucie,FL
Summary
Dynamic U.S. Customs Broker with extensive experience in Global Trade Compliance, excelling in risk assessment and U.S. tariff analysis. Proven track record in enhancing trade compliance frameworks and implementing process improvements, leveraging strong analytical problem-solving and leadership skills to drive operational efficiency and mitigate compliance risks.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Global Customs Compliance Specialist
Werfen NA
Bedford, Massachusetts
06.2024 - Current
- Manage risk assessments to identify potential compliance vulnerabilities within Global operations.
- Collaborate with Corporate legal team to interpret regulations and implement necessary compliance changes.
- Provide guidance on complex U.S. Customs and FDA regulatory issues to senior management.
- Facilitate meetings between stakeholders, including executive leadership, legal counsel, and department heads, to discuss compliance matters.
- Analyze risk factors related to new product development and market introduction processes.
- Conduct risk assessments of current processes and procedures to identify areas of non-compliance and improvement.
- Maintain an up-to-date database of U.S. Tariffs, FDA, and USDA laws and regulations pertaining to medical devices and diagnostic reagents.
- Monitor changes in trade laws to advise stakeholders on necessary adjustments.
- Liaised with logistics teams and freight forwarders to streamline operations and improve efficiency in processes.
- Assist procurement teams in obtaining necessary permits and licenses for USDA compliance.
- Provide guidance on tariff classifications, country of origin issues, duty rates, and other customs requirements.
- Research and interpret rulings, compliance publications, guidelines and customs regulations.
- Maintain records of all imports and exports activities according to company policies and procedures.
Senior Global Customs Compliance Specialist
WORLDVU DEVELOPMENT -ONEWEB
McLean, VA
02.2022 - 09.2022
- Developed U.S. & Canada Returned goods program for RMA department resulting in cost savings for the Company.
- Established internal controls and processes to support global compliance through project management and engagement of key stakeholders.
- Checked adherence to import/export customs and regulatory requirements by performing quality control reviews of parts and equipment and their functionality.
- Provided support to multiple divisions by assisting with compliance review and analysis on new equipment and new Global entity locations.
- Managed Customs CF28 requests and responses and provided oversight feedback to legal advisors.
- Coordinated Importer of Record registrations and requirements in new Global territories.
- Executed compliance audits to identify global record retention accuracy and required agency reporting.
- Collaborated with leadership to devise strategies to improve processes and risk controls as well as implement new systems and best practice guidelines and resources.
- Managed and met with Global Customs brokers regularly to discuss new Entity projects and Country's Import requirements.
- Analyzed data to provide insights to Legal department and recommendations for mitigating compliance risks.
- Maintained global compliance frameworks, policies and documentation to support global record retention.
- Performed fact-finding research on equipment by investigating, collecting, analyzing, and compiling global markets and compliance trends.
LCHB/Import Manager- District License Holder
EMBASSY FREIGHT LLC
Peabody, MA
12.2020 - 02.2022
- Managed day-to-day Import and Customs operations, monitoring and overseeing compliance and supply chain.
- Researched and educated direct reports and clients on U.S. Customs & Government agency regulations and requirements.
- Responsible for U.S. Import Tariff Analysis, Customs post entry amendments, HTS rulings, & Company record retention.
- Prepared quotes and proposals to prospective clients for Customs Brokerage and International Ocean and Air freight transportation.
- Assisted direct reports with training, problem solving, and critical thinking with U.S Customs & Supply chain changes and challenges.
- Researched and interpreted rulings, compliance publications, guidelines and customs regulations.
- Facilitated communication between company, customers and overseas partners to maintain efficient operations.
- Reconciled and balanced bank records while cross referencing U.S. Customs ACH statements.
- Identified process improvement opportunities and implemented new standard practices that saved time and money.
- Completed internal and external audits according to established Customs Import regulations.
LCHB Manager- License Holder
DACHSER USA AIR & SEA
Boston, MA
11.2019 - 05.2020
- Managed and provided U.S. Customs Import tariff and Regulatory guidance to direct reports.
- Conducted regular audits ensuring accuracy and timely submissions to U.S. Customs and required Government agencies.
- Partnered with Sales to ensure proper assessment of import commodities aligned with rate proposal & staffing needs.
- Responsible for the Company's Boston's branch full compliance, record retention and adherence to U.S. Customs regulations.
- Guided Importers on China section 301 duties and applied for retroactive refunds on excluded tariffs.
- Lead communicator with various government agencies; FDA, NOAA, EPA and USDA.
- Managed and submitted client's payments for all import duty, taxes, fines and penalties.
- Investigated and audited past and present client Power of Attorneys ensuring validity based on Custom's guidelines.
- Oversaw brokerage department adherence with domestic and international laws and organizational procedures.
- Interpreted and explained Import regulations and requirements to clients and International agent offices.
- Collected and analyzed import data to identify improvements for import controls and related compliance.
- Trained, developed and provided performance initiatives contributing to staffs growth in Trade Compliance.
Assistant Supply Chain Manager
SLADE GORTON & CO INC
Boston, MA
01.2016 - 05.2019
- Managed logistics personnel, vendors and other program stakeholders in the movement of international and domestic food service and distribution.
- Coordinated and controlled the order cycle and associated cold storage chain transportation.
- Executed International logistics plans for large retail accounts such as Walmart, Amazon, and Aldi.
- Created cross-functional relationships with procurement, sales, quality assurance, and production to maintain customer requirements.
- Tasked with developing and expanding carrier relationships to initiate cost saving measures. Key Contribution: Saved the company over 100k per year in customs broker and transportation contracts.
- Responsible for keeping key stakeholders apprised of regulatory modifications and updates.
- Conducted vendor monitoring and supply chain management activities in compliance with internal and external ISO and Import and Export requirements.
- Boosted KPIs and continuous improvement strategies to enhance operations and meet supply chain needs.
- Worked closely with Chief operating officer to deliver project requirements, develop solutions, and meet customer deadlines.
- Directed investigations to verify and resolve customer and vendor complaints on shipping delays and challenges.
- Managed day-to-day International and domestic logistics operations, monitoring compliance and incoming deliveries while overseeing a team of five logistics personnel.
- Key contact for International compliance and Government agency related challenges and requirements.
- Developed processes and metrics that supported achievement of organization's business goals.
- Managed upkeep and audit of regulatory agency permit renewals and filings.
- Sourced qualified candidates and conducted interviews providing insight on eligibility of role's requirements.
LCHB/Import Manager-License Holder
COMPASS FORWARDING
East Boston, MA
08.2012 - 05.2013
- Company's U.S. Customs District permit holder for eligibility to conduct National customs transactions.
- Managed, trained, and delegated all Import related functions to team members.
- Trained and mentored staff on U.S. Import Tariff's and General rules of interpretation.
- Liaison between U.S Customs and Importers enforcing Custom compliance and government agency controls.
- Responsible for company and client ACH duty payments and records of all International financial transactions.
- Monitored international shipments and obtained clearance from U.S. Customs and required government agencies.
- Oversaw brokerage department adherence with U.S. Customs Import laws and record retention requirements.
- Improved operations by working with team members and customers to identify workflow needs and provided corrective action plans.
Customs Broker Specialist
JAS FORWARDING USA INC
Lynnfield, MA
08.2008 - 11.2010
- Cleared goods through customs and verified delivery to client National distribution centers.
- Assisted in the Implementation process of Importer Security Filing and new regulated NVOCC carrier requirements.
- Shared U.S. Customs Compliance knowledge with team members contributing to reduction of post custom entry amendments and record inaccuracies.
- Improved delivery schedules for Key accounts by instituting an efficient logistics process responsible for vendor compliance.
- Implemented solutions and strategies to keep clients from turning to competitive businesses.
- Used excellent verbal and interpersonal skills to engage customers in conversation and effectively determine needs and production requirements.
- Identified shipments requiring special handling and enforced compliance checks within the Brokerage department.
Customs Broker
LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL
Chelsea, MA
05.2006 - 08.2008
- Team lead for U.S. Tariff assessment and analysis by determination of Customs General Rules of Interpretation laws.
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish client service goals while maintaining customs compliance.
- Appointed to team lead to manage all customs requests for information and liaison between Customs officials and company clients in Boston.
- Coordinated the Logistics of ocean import containers Internationally and domestically.
- Key contact for controlled commodities and entry types requiring extensive research and analysis.
- Filed customs entries, updates, and reported inaccuracies on import shipments in customs database.
- Filed and cleared complex customs entries with minimal questions and supervision.
- Audited files to verify completeness and accuracy of customs transactions based on U.S. Customs record retention laws and requirements.
Skills
- Supervision & Leadership
- Global Trade Compliance Policy & Procedures
- US Tariff Research & Analysis
- Analytical Problem-Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Global Supply Chain Management
- Strategic Planning
- US FDA & USDA Compliance
- Process Development & Improvement
- FCPA, UKBA, & OFAC
- Risk Assessment
- Operations Management
Certification
- U.S. Customs Brokers License
- Project Management Certification
Timeline
Senior Global Customs Compliance Specialist
Werfen NA
06.2024 - Current
Senior Global Customs Compliance Specialist
WORLDVU DEVELOPMENT -ONEWEB
02.2022 - 09.2022
LCHB/Import Manager- District License Holder
EMBASSY FREIGHT LLC
12.2020 - 02.2022
LCHB Manager- License Holder
DACHSER USA AIR & SEA
11.2019 - 05.2020
Assistant Supply Chain Manager
SLADE GORTON & CO INC
01.2016 - 05.2019
LCHB/Import Manager-License Holder
COMPASS FORWARDING
08.2012 - 05.2013
Customs Broker Specialist
JAS FORWARDING USA INC
08.2008 - 11.2010
Customs Broker
LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL
05.2006 - 08.2008