Trade Compliance Officer

Location: Ottawa, Canada
In fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow's possible.

Trade Compliance Officer

Ottawa, ON- Hybrid

Regulatory Compliance Requirements

• Requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software, technology or technical data controlled under the Canadian Export Control List, the ITAR or the EAR.
• Requires a positive Controlled Goods assessment as personnel will have direct access to hardware, software, technology or technical data controlled under the Canadian Controlled Goods Program.
• Required to obtain and maintain a Security Clearance at the NATO Secret Level.

Position Summary

We have a current vacancy for a Trade Compliance Officer for Thales Canada, Defence and Security (TCDS), who is a subject matter expert in Canadian trade compliance, responsible for the development, implementation, documentation, and maintenance of a comprehensive and efficient local trade compliance program for the Thales Canada, Defence and Security operations in Canada that is aligned with Group, Global Business Unit (GBU), Business Line (BL), and country specific requirements.

As the Trade Compliance Officer for TCDS in Canada, you will lead the TCDS trade compliance team and oversee the operational aspects of the local trade compliance program that are implemented by other functions in TCDS and direct the trade compliance tasks related to Canadian export controls & licensing, export reporting, sanctions, and customs processes. This role will also support the Thales Canada trade compliance team when needed to provide similar support to other BLs when required.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Oversee, manage, and direct the trade compliance program for TCDS Canadian operations and ensuring alignment with Canadian, US and any other applicable export control, sanctions, and customs requirements.
• Manage a Trade Compliance team, providing workload direction, technical guidance, performance management, and professional development support.
• Working as the Trade Compliance Officer TCDS, you will be responsible for understanding TCDS business operations in Canada in order to develop, synthesize, deploy, and document a local trade compliance program (LCP) aligned with Thales Group, GBU, BL, and Country trade compliance policies, procedures, and guidance.
• Provide Trade Compliance expertise, assess risks, and implement all applicable national import and export control regulations;
  • Ensure timely and responsive day-to-day oversight of import compliance, outbound shipments, in-country transfers, and controlled shipments supporting TCDS operations and customer programs.
  • Provide strategic guidance on trade compliance risks, requirements, and mitigation for business initiatives and programs.
  • Maintain and publish a dashboard reporting Group, Country, and/or TCDS-defined KPIs as required.
  • Develop and maintain close relationships with regulatory bodies (i.e., Global Affairs, NEXCOL, CBSA) to be up to date in terms of regulations and to have the appropriate contacts to solve and fix export control and customs issues that may occur.
  • Direct and manage regular internal trade compliance reviews and audits of TCDS operations in Canada.
  • Establish and implement a trade compliance-training plan necessary to support TCDS operations in Canada, including conducting training.
  • Establish, implement, and maintain effective export permit management process.
  • Manage restricted party screening operations escalations, (e.g., validate the results of screening in case of alerts/hits, manage false positives and the hits in the screening tool, and release orders in the ERP in case of compliance hold).
  • Develop and administer the export-control jurisdiction and classification program by partnering with Engineering and other relevant functions.
• Report any potential or actual trade compliance violations, unauthorized activities, and other compliance concerns to the Director, Trade Compliance – Canada; coordinate investigations with the relevant functions; and lead the development, implementation, and closure of corrective and preventive actions.
• Collaborate closely with key stakeholders across TCDS (operations, legal, risk management, finance, IT, procurement, logistics, etc.), and the trade compliance network to:
  • Keep the business informed regarding relevant Canadian or relevant foreign trade compliance laws, regulations, and regulatory developments applicable to TCDS business.
  • Provide leadership to ensure that the documented trade compliance responsibilities and controls are embedded into the TCDS business function processes.
• Provide support to the Director, Trade Compliance Canada and VP, Trade Compliance NORAM as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Diploma/Degree in business, contract management and/or equivalent experience in a business environment with a minimum of 5 years of specialized experience in trade compliance (Canadian and international, including US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and Canadian customs).
• Demonstrated ability to manage/mentor trade compliance staff.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Canadian trade application programs (NEXCOL, CARM).
• Proven ability to independently apply critical thinking skills to sensitive and complex business scenarios to determine compliance risks, assess compliance gaps, and provide efficient solutions that comply with Canadian trade compliance regulations.
• Demonstrated experience to independently perform risk assessments in the context of business operations, gap analysis in the context of process assessment and development, and root cause analysis in the context of auditing and investigation.
• Demonstrated communication skills, including proven ability to provide effective trade compliance training and presentations.
• Competency with restricted party screening tools.
• Must be highly proficient with MS Office tools.
• Aptitude for or experience with the use of information systems (ex: SAP, Windchill, etc..).
• Excellent English verbal and written communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in the defence industry
• Knowledge of SAP GTS is an asset.
• Working knowledge of the Controlled Goods Program.
• Experience with change management.
• Strong influencing skills at all levels.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Working knowledge of French.

If you’re excited about working with Thales, but not meeting the requirements for this position, we encourage you to join our Talent Community!

Special Position Requirements

The reference Total Target Compensation (TTC) market range for this position, inclusive of annual base salary and the variable compensation target, is between Total Target Cash (TTC) $135,000 - $155,000 CAD Annual.

This reflects how companies in a similar industry and geographic region generally pay for similar jobs. This range helps the Company make pay decisions as one data point among many. Where a position falls within this range is also dependent on other factors including – but not limited to – the employee’s career path history, competencies, skills and performance, as well as the company’s annual salary budget, the customer’s program requirements, and the company’s internal equity. Thales may offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s status protected by local, state, or federal law.

We use artificial intelligence–enabled tools as part of our recruitment process to support activities such as candidate discovery, résumé matching, and interview scheduling. These tools may help screen and assess applications and recommend potential matches based on the requirements within the job description. All hiring decisions, including candidate evaluation, selection, and disposition, are made by human recruiters. Artificial intelligence does not make hiring decisions on our behalf.

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Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 24 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents, including the following:

• Company paid Extended Health, Dental, HSA, Life, AD&D, Short-term Disability, Cancer Care Program, travel insurance, Employee Assistance Plan and Well-Being program.

• Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP, DCPP, TFSA) with a company contribution and a match to a DCPP, with no vesting period.

• Company paid holidays, vacation days, and paid sick leave.

• Voluntary Life, AD&D, Critical Illness, Long-Term Disability.

• Employee Discounts on home, auto, and gym membership.

Thales is an equal opportunity employer which values diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. Thales is committed to providing accommodations in all parts of the interview process. Applicants selected for an interview who require accommodation are asked to advise accordingly upon the invitation for an interview. We will work with you to meet your needs. All accommodation information provided will be treated as confidential and used only for the purpose of providing an accessible candidate experience.

This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software or technical information controlled under the Canadian Export Control List, the Canadian Controlled Goods Program, the Canadian Industrial Security Program, the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the US Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be eligible or able to obtain authorization for such access including eligibility to the Canadian Controlled Goods Program and able to obtain a Canadian NATO Secret clearance.