Sr. Counsel, International Trade

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Senior Counsel – International Trade (BA Americas America) will serve as a key member of the Business Area Americas legal team, responsible for advising the BA Americas business on all legal and regulatory matters related to international trade across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This role focuses on import/export compliance, customs regulations, trade remedies, and regional supply chain risks within North America. The position ensures adherence to applicable trade laws and supports business operations, procurement, and supply chain functions in a stainless-steel manufacturing environment rife with complex trade laws and policies. The Senior Counsel – International Trade will also be part of the broader global legal team, the parent company based on Helsinki, Finland, and will interact periodically with other members of the global legal team who are located throughout Europe

Locations: Calvert, AL | Atlanta, GA | Houston, TX

Key Responsibilities:

U.S. Customs & Import Compliance:

• Advise on compliance with regulations administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
• Oversee classification of goods under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS), valuation, and country-of-origin determinations.
• Provide legal guidance on customs audits, inquiries, and enforcement actions within the United States.
• Manage relationships with customs brokers and ensure proper documentation and recordkeeping.

Canada & Mexico Trade Compliance:

• Advise on import/export requirements and customs compliance in Canada and Mexico, including coordination with local customs brokers and advisors.
• Ensure compliance with regional trade obligations under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA/CUSMA/T-MEC).
• Counsel on rules of origin, regional value content, and certification requirements for preferential tariff treatment.
• Support cross-border operations, including logistics, warehousing, and distribution across North America.

Tariffs, Duties, and Trade Remedies:

• Counsel business teams on tariff exposure, including Section 232 and Section 301 tariffs.
• Advise on trade remedy matters including anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing duties (CVD), particularly relevant to steel and stainless-steel products in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
• Coordinate with external counsel on investigations before agencies such as the U.S. International Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Commerce, and comparable Canadian and Mexican authorities.
• Develop strategies to mitigate duty exposure and manage supply chain impacts across North America.

Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) Compliance:

• Oversee compliance with FTZ regulations administered by the Foreign-Trade Zones Board.
• Advise on FTZ operations, including admissions, manufacturing authority, inventory controls, and reporting within the United States.
• Partner with operations and supply chain functions to optimize FTZ benefits while maintaining compliance.

Export Controls & Sanctions:

• Ensure compliance with U.S. export control laws (EAR, and ITAR where applicable) for North American operations.
• Advise on export classifications, licensing requirements, and cross-border transfers within the region.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with sanctions programs administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
• Coordinate with Canadian and Mexican regulatory frameworks as applicable to cross-border transactions.

Supply Chain & Procurement Support:

• Provide legal support for BA Americas supply chain function.
• Draft and negotiate contracts with customs brokers.
• Advise on risk mitigation strategies related to regional sourcing, including regulatory and geopolitical considerations.
• Collaborate with other legal team members, and procurement, supply chain, and sales teams to align contractual terms with trade compliance requirements.

Internal Compliance Programs & Training:

• Develop, implement, and maintain international trade compliance policies and procedures applicable to BA Americas operations.
• Conduct internal audits and risk assessments related to trade compliance across the region.
• Deliver training programs to procurement, supply chain, and sales teams on U.S., Canadian, and Mexican trade compliance obligations.

Government Engagement & Regulatory Monitoring:

• Monitor changes in trade laws, tariffs, and enforcement trends affecting the stainless-steel industry in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
• Assist Head of Government Relations in engaging with regulatory agencies and industry groups across North America as needed.
• Support advocacy efforts by Head of Government Relations related to trade policy impacting regional operations.

Investigations & Dispute Management:

• Handle internal investigations related to potential trade compliance violations within BA Americas operations.
• Manage disclosures (e.g., prior disclosures to CBP or other relevant authorities).
• Support litigation or administrative proceedings involving trade matters in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

What Success Looks Like in This Role

Qualifications and Experience:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
• 7+ years of experience in international trade law, preferably in-house or with a law firm supporting manufacturing or metals industries.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. trade laws and familiarity with Canadian and Mexican trade regimes.
• Experience working with agencies such as CBP, Commerce, and ITC, and coordinating with Canadian and Mexican counterparts.
• Familiarity with supply chain operations in a North American manufacturing environment.

• Compliance Excellence : Maintains full compliance with customs, export controls, and trade laws, with no material violations or disruptions.
• Proactive Risk Management : Anticipates regulatory changes and mitigates tariff, duty, and enforcement risks.
• Business Enablement : Delivers practical, timely guidance that supports efficient procurement, supply chain, and commercial operations.
• Trade Optimization : Maximizes benefits from programs such as USMCA and FTZs to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
• Cross-Functional Leadership : Builds strong partnerships and is a trusted advisor across legal, operations, and commercial teams.
• Effective Issue Resolution : Manages audits, investigations, and disclosures with minimal business and reputational impact.
• Continuous Improvement : Strengthens compliance programs, training, and processes to meet evolving regulatory and business needs.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in the steel or stainless-steel industry.
• Direct involvement in anti-dumping or countervailing duty proceedings in North America.
• Experience advising on USMCA compliance and regional supply chain structuring.
• Experience managing FTZ operations.

Key Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to translate complex regulations into practical business guidance across jurisdictions.
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills.
• High level of integrity and attention to detail.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with operations, finance, and supply chain teams across North America.