TICHANNIA TOWNS
Orlando,FL
Summary
Detail- oriented Compliance Officer, tenacious and business-savvy professional focused on maximizing company compliance with applicable laws and standards. Skilled in devising tactical lean processes, perform gap analysis, establishing key process improvements and best practices. Solid experience designing core import processes to drive automation, quality, and controls. Proficiencies include but are not limited to data mining, broker management, global classification, regulatory matters, and trade agreements. Fantastic critical thinker with great memory and efficiently organize vast amounts of data. Great at performing internal audits, conducting investigative reporting and transcribing information.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
US Customs Compliance
Siemens Industry Inc.
04.2020 - Current
- Ensure full compliance and timely clearance for import transactions, including issuance of clearance instructions, monitoring, record keeping and auditing
- Ensure full compliance for export transactions, including the review of export documentation, filing of Electronic Export information and record retention
- Interface with customs brokers, business contacts, suppliers, and service providers to ensure consistency with defined import and export processes
- Review/approve Census Errors, AD/CVD determinations, Correction to Entries, Owner’s Declaration statements, etc
- Global Trade Management (GTM) Super user
- Develop and deploy change request
- Identify areas for process improvements, possible solutions and engage in implementation of such improvements
- Created and maintained compliant work environment.
- Developed and maintained compliance database, tracking all compliance activities and documents.
- Assisted with development of compliance objectives and strategies.
- Collaborated with sales and marketing departments and other business units to address indications of improper sales practices and market conduct violations.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of current and emerging compliance regulations.
- Responded to employee inquiries regarding compliance regulations and procedures.
- Identified gaps in existing compliance processes and recommended updates.
- Monitored and assessed compliance risks associated with operational processes and procedures.
- Directed activities of workers searching records and provided technical guidance as necessary.
- Managed practical action plans to respond to audit discoveries and compliance violations.
- Reviewed, revised and updated compliance policies and procedures to confirm continual compliance with applicable laws.
- Conducted periodic compliance audits and reviews to identify areas of improvement.
- Collaborated with internal and external stakeholders, auditors and legal counsel to confirm compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Kept informed regarding pending industry changes, trends or best practices.
Export Compliance & Control
Siemens Healthcare
10.2015 - 04.2020
- Preventing, detecting, and responding to compliance violations – that is the daily business of our Legal and Compliance organization at Siemens Healthineers
- Facilitate U.S Customs Clearance activities for Medical Solutions and Healthcare Diagnostic
- Collaborate with department Sr Customs Specialists, Business Partners and Suppliers globally for the purpose of assisting in the classification of products against the U.S Harmonized Tariff Schedule
- Act as a cross-functional liaison with regulatory affairs and brokerage teams to ensure compliance and proper submission of PGA data and documentation
- Identify applicable government agency requirements, review, and use of proper valuation methods, country of origin analysis, free trade agreement qualification and solicitation, special programs, and import regulatory requirements
- Process data through the appropriate system in a timely manner to adhere to established deadlines and compliant customs brokerage transactions
- Support the monitoring, maintenance, and retention of records and documentation for imported shipments in accordance with federal regulations and internal policy
- Expedite transaction and entry processing to meet customer expectation and government requirements
- Assist Sr Compliance Officer by implementing compliance processes for the purpose of adhering to corporate polices and relevant regulations
- Standardize process for importing non approved products being imported for Siemens Healthcare
- Administer process for shipments governed by Fish & Wildlife to prevent exportation or destruction of CITES shipments
- Ensure accurate submissions are made to FDA to demonstrate that a device to be marketed and imported into the US is safe and effective
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of current and emerging compliance regulations.
- Reviewed, revised and updated compliance policies and procedures to confirm continual compliance with applicable laws.
Import Specialist Lead
Siemens Global Services
08.2009 - 10.2015
- Facilitate U.S Customs Clearance activities for multiple types of entry and commodities
- Conduct preliminary audits and establish KPI’s
- Execute audits for customs entries; based on results from those audits, assist in the development of a robust action item plan to address any exceptions found
- Vet goods procured through comprehensive review of PO data
- Develop post entry documentation and data to support any free-trade agreement claims or to resolve any compliance issues.
- Adopt electronic filing system and record retention of all entry documents
- Educate and enforce Siemens quality principals (9 mandatory elements)
- Lead Pre-import Team by formulating, affect, interpret, or administering operation practices for Siemens Healthcare, Siemens Energy and Siemens Industry
- Implement brokerage Corrective and Preventative Action Plans (CAPA) to Operations for implementation
- Ensure deviation investigations are handled appropriately; respond to QA Tracking and Trending errors, external audit findings, and internal audit findings
- Monitor and evaluate adequacy of Corrective and Preventative Actions, completeness of reports, assist in root cause analysis
- Track all outstanding control gaps, coordinate the development of treatment plans, and partner with appropriate remediation team(s) to close those gaps
- Include staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; develop subordinates’ skills and encourage growth Embody excellent customer service
- Capture and remedy the voice of the customer
- Cultivate escalation paths and point of contacts for imported shipments deemed urgent
- Manages complex or emotional customer situations promptly and professionally meeting commitments for service and assistance
- Effectively present information and respond to questions from brokers, customers and business partners
- Researched and prepared product cost and trade compliance reviews for clients.
- Researched and helped evaluate new potential suppliers and vendors for better service and pricing.
Education
Master of Business Administration - Business Administration And Management
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL05.2025
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University
Tallahassee, FL04.2011
Skills
- Risk Management Strategies
- Operations Analysis
- Project Coordination
- Critical Thinking
- Procedures Compliance
- Business Operations
- Compliance Reviews
- Judgment and Decision-Making
- Internal Audits
- Regulation Enforcement
- Compliance Reporting
- Regulatory and Compliance Understanding
Timeline
US Customs Compliance
Siemens Industry Inc.
04.2020 - Current
Export Compliance & Control
Siemens Healthcare
10.2015 - 04.2020
Import Specialist Lead
Siemens Global Services
08.2009 - 10.2015
Master of Business Administration - Business Administration And Management
University of Central Florida
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University
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